Uncategorized
Morningstar launches capital campaign, hosts holiday gift wrapping table
Published
11 years agoon
By Emily Stifler Explorebigsky.com editor
BIG SKY – Morningstar Learning Center launched a capital campaign Dec. 1 that aims to match a $100,000 donation contingent on the nonprofit childcare center doing just that.
The Rapier Family Foundation put the initial $100,000 on the table in early November, challenging the Morningstar board and the Big Sky community to match it. The Rapier’s donation is earmarked to pay off the remaining principal on the childcare facility’s mortgage; the second $100,000 would help cover operational costs, tuition decreases and increased teacher benefits.
“The Rapiers have asked Morningstar to challenge Big Sky,” said board member Tracy Jacobsen. “They want to see Big Sky come together and support [this organization].”
The foundation announced the challenge alongside an outright $200,000 donation, which reduced the principal balance on Morningstar’s mortgage by just over two thirds.
To kick off the capital campaign, Morningstar is hosting a holiday gift-wrapping table in the Big Sky Post Office lobby on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December.
The present wrapping – which is in exchange for donations – “is not an effort to make $50,000 or even $10,000,” Jacobsen said. Instead, it’s a way to draw attention to the campaign and its branding platform: a stack of books, each one symbolizing $10,000 raised.
The board is also planning to host a fundraising event, and Jacobsen mentioned reaching out to every business owner that’s ever had an employee with a child enrolled at Morningstar.
“This is such a need. People have to have childcare,” she said. “Not only that, but stats show that children that go to preschool are automatically higher on the bar when it comes to the alphabet and numbers.”
The only licensed childcare facility in Big Sky, Morningstar opened in April 2006 and purchased its current building at 659 Spruce Cone Drive in September 2011.
Although the center struggled during the economic downturn, “We’ve come a long way,” Jacobsen said. “We have a new board, and we’re focusing on our objectives and goals.”
In addition to paying off the mortgage completely, these goals include implementing a state food program, decreasing tuition, providing health and other benefits for employees, and hiring an executive director.
The center’s capacity is 43 children, which includes infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Between 40 and 50 families use the facility, according to administrator Lindsie Hurlbut, one of 12 staff.
As a nonprofit, Morningstar is funded largely by grants and donations. That poses a challenge when trying to retain staff. Starting wage for a teacher at Morningstar is $10 an hour, with no benefits or sick leave.
“The standard of living is so high here, because rent and food is so expensive,” Jacobsen said.
Even with these challenges, Jacobsen says, “It’s an amazing asset for the children of this community, [the children] that are going to be running this community some day.”
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm