Yesterday, I saw a grant opportunity that asked nonprofits to "submit an original four-to-eight-line poem that reflects their mission and work.  Poems may be written by staff, clients and/or volunteers and must be entirely original (in both content and creativity!). The winning poem, to be selected by an international panel of independent artists and producers, will be the inspiration for a song by Bill Dillon, a recording artist who was exonerated through the work of Innocence Project of Florida and went on to achieve his dreams.” The winning nonprofit also receives a $10,000 cash award. I was immediately inspired by such a creative application process, so I posted the opportunity to my Facebook profile this morning, and a few hours later received this poem from one of our most active supporters, Rella Kaplowitz.  She wrote:

What is a dream? A hope, a wish, a prayer Whisperings to the wind Hearts have answered, hearts have given Children laugh, learn, play, grow New walls, new breath, new promise Renewed faith That dreams and hearts can change the world.

I got all goosebumpy & my eyes welled up with tears as I read the last line.  I’ve been meaning to reach out for your quotes about our work to include in future editions of our website & in grant proposals, and I’m wondering if this might be just the opportunity. Would you like to help Epic Change win $10,000 by writing a poem about our work? Submit your four-to-eight-line poem about our mission & work, and what Epic Change means to you, in the comments below.  Even if you’re not feeling especially poetic, leave a sentence or two sharing your feelings about our work - you never know what your thoughts might inspire...