How Giving Days Help Dancers of Color Succeed
Holidays offer us the inspiration to connect with family, raise awareness, celebrate our cultures, and share joy with others. For many non-profit organizations, the most meaningful holidays are Giving Days. Giving Days occur on various dates throughout the year, each with its own focus or theme. Each Giving Day campaign creates an opportunity for nonprofits to receive financial support from their communities.
Non-profit organizations rely on donations to continue creating positive change. For example, our mission at Brown Girls Do Ballet is to support dancers of color through representation, community, and education. Donations from Giving Days contribute a significant amount of support in bringing these goals to life.
“People should donate to Brown Girls Do Ballet on Giving Days to help bridge the gap for dancers of color who might struggle financially with the cost of lessons, accessories and other dance needs,” said dancer and Brown Ballerina Ambassador DianaStarr Robinson. “Donating helps further the goal of BGDB and strengthens the community of dancers to become their very best.”
Related: Brown Ballerina Ambassador DianaStarr Robinson on Fulfilling Your Destiny
Our grants and scholarships, which are largely funded by donations, have helped dancers pay for lessons, college tuition, dance-related travel, and other dance expenses. “Donations have helped me and my journey as a dancer tremendously. During my years as an ambassador, I have directly benefited from the Micro Grant, Pointe Shoe Program, and the Brown Girls Do Ballet Scholarship. These opportunities have helped to offset tuition costs and assist with travel to and from summer intensive programs,” said Brown Ballerina Ambassador Destiny Wimpye.
Related: Meet Destiny Wimpye: A 2021 Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant Winner
Giving Day donations help us continue to host supportive programs, such as our Pointe Shoe Program, which funds the costs of pointe shoes for many dancers who - without the financial help - might not have been able to progress in their pointe ballet lessons. “I was able to receive two pairs of pointe shoes because of donors. That’s important to me because pointe shoes are very expensive, and I have to purchase at least two pairs or more a month,” said Brown Ballerina Ambassador McKenzie Lewis. “Because of someone’s gift, I was able to receive my pointe shoes for free! For that reason, I’m thankful for the power of giving.”
Related: 5 to Watch 2021: McKenzie Lewis
As you celebrate the holidays this year, take a moment and ask yourself, what change do you want to make with your dollar? If you’d like to make a change in a dancer’s life, consider donating to Brown Girls Do Ballet tomorrow, November 30th, 2021 for Giving Tuesday! You can also donate anytime directly on our website.
To learn more about Brown Girls Do Ballet and the work we do in our community, read more about our vision and check out our blog. Stay tuned for upcoming Giving Days by following us on Instagram or Facebook.