Tuition Angel 2025

The Blossoming Community Foundation has received a letter of intent from an anonymous donor that will match our fundraising and grant writing dollars up to $50,000 for this program by the end of calendar year 2024.  Our intent is to raise $50,000 to maximize the matching dollars to infuse this program with much needed tuition assistance.

“To improve the quality of life for present and future generations by supporting Blooming Prairie projects that focus on community, arts, recreation and education.”

Blooming Prairie’s population is 2100 people.  Our median age is 37.9 years with 49% under age 64 years.  We are a bedroom community and have strong local employment through our school, local nursing home, banks, manufacturing and professionals.  We are centrally located 15 miles from Austin, MN and Owatonna, MN where many of our residents are employed.  Blooming Prairie has limited childcare availability with 13 Family childcare providers, many of which are considered at risk for retirement or return to the mainstream workforce.  In the absence of available openings many families are faced with the decision to take their children out of town for day care.  We have two active non profit organizations that provide before and after school childcare as well as daily childcare and summer childcare for working parents.  Tuition Angel Program seeks funding to benefit our children; our future and most vulnerable residents.  Quality programming, daycare and food are the backbone of our local workforce and families.   The rising cost of food, workforce and transportation has absorbed low-income families’ disposable income.  

We would provide annual financial assistance in the form of scholarships to Leo Augusta Children’s Academy and Blooming Prairie Youth Club who already have a confidential financial assistance application.  Our funding would go directly to the entity to administer and report back to our organization annually the direct use of funds and impact on families. No additional staffing or costs incur at our level.  All the money will directly benefit our residents.  Our Tuition Angel Program is applying to assist in funding the annual shortfall for as many families as possible.  

Our census information shows 11% of children under 18 are poverty level.  Using our Backpack Nutrition Program data, the need for food assistance from 2022 to 2023 school year rose 62% even in the wake of Minnesota providing free school lunch to all children.  Blooming Prairie Backpack Program is another 501c3 organization in collaboration with our local school district to provide meals for families in need during the week and the weekend.  We feel we can trust this direct consumption statistic.