Update: Grant Funding
An update on our grant funding
For more than a year, we've been fighting to resolve the pullback on Firefly's grant of the congressionally appropriated funds that were managed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
We have exhausted every option we have to resolve this. We connected with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, Senator Tina Smith's office, and Representative Steve Gander who met with MDE on our behalf, among other agencies and organizations along the way. We're grateful to all of them for their assistance, and for listening.
When this grant was first amended, Firefly lost access to $200,000 in funding for its intended purpose. On top of that, we are still being asked to pay back more than $39,000, and the U.S. Treasury has withheld our final reimbursement request of just over $38,000. All $77,000 of those dollars were spent on expenses pre-approved under our signed grant contract. That contract has now been officially terminated.
Our small nonprofit can't afford a long legal fight against state and federal agencies, so we're stepping back, knowing the money is better spent trying to keep our doors open.
Where that leaves us
Firefly is still surviving on month-to-month basis with countless volunteer hours keeping this place running, which includes writing grants, doing administrative work, and overseeing grant activities. Board and community members still donate everything from paper to cleaning supplies and maintanance to keep costs as low as possible.
Our Light The Way campaign has raised more than $51,000, and that money is, quite literally, the only reason we're still here. So, thank you!
Why Firefly matters
In any given week, you might find a painting class in one room, a meeting or support group in another, and a community event in the evening or on the weekend. Our space is booked for workshops, gatherings, and private celebrations, and our Airbnbs hosts visitors to Fosston year-round. Our programming in art, restorative services, and wellbeing keeps growing. Most of all, Firefly is a place where people can be themselves, make something, talk through something hard, or just stop in to chat. Grab a coffee and pull up a seat by the fire.
How you can help
Give. A one-time, monthly, or yearly gift. See if your company has a matching funds program. Get creative and run your own fundraiser for us!
Show up. Come to a class, exhibit, or event, and bring a friend.
Rent the space. Let visiting friends and family know about our Airbnbs. Rent our gallery or makerspace for an event.
Share our story. Many still don’t understand what happened to our funding. We are happy to address and answer any questions.
Firefly has held a lot for our greater rural area – art, connection, community, celebration, culture, and so much more. WIth your help, it stays.
With gratitude,
Heidi Danos
Director
