FLINT, MI – The FIM Flint School of Performing Arts received a $27,000 donation on Monday, Oct. 23, from the Joanne Piper Memorial Fund.
The fund was from the Flint Kiwanis Club to support the FSPA Seeing Stars! Tuition Assistance Program.
The presentation was at the J. Dallas Dort Music Center. Activities included recognition of Piper and her family; recognition of Kiwanis for designating the gift to the Seeing Stars! Endowment; and, a short music selection by a Seeing Stars! student performer and tuition assistance recipient, a FIM news release said.
Piper died in 2020. She was one of the first two women to be inducted into the Flint Kiwanis Club and was a founding member of the Flint Music in the Parks committee, according to her obituary.
The Flint Kiwanis Club participates in projects throughout the year involving community service and assisting children locally and worldwide.
Piper’s bequest to the Flint Kiwanis Club will be gifted to three organizations over a three-year span.
The first gift, in 2022, was given to Communities First Inc. in the form of the Joanne Piper Learning Lab. The second gift is to FSPA in scholarships. The third donation will be made next year to another organization to be determined.
“We wanted her gift to make a real impact on kids and families in Flint,” said Flint Kiwanis Club President Kimberly Mills Shelby in a news release. “There are many ways of doing it but giving it as scholarships so kids who can’t afford it can get dance, theatre and music lessons… I don’t think there’s anything better. FSPA has always been one of the best organizations and programs for kids.”
The Seeing Stars! Tuition Assistance Program began in 1997 and is designed to assist students without adequate financial resources to study at FSPA. It is need-based and provides every qualified student who applies with assistance. Awards range from 20-90% of the tuition cost for two classes per semester.
“We’re very thankful to the Kiwanis Club for this generous gift that will provide talented young musicians, dancers and actors the opportunity to reach their goals,” said Davin Pierson Torre, FIM Vice President of Performing Arts Instruction and FSPA Director. “Approximately 400 students receive support from Seeing Stars every year. I believe this would’ve made Joanne very happy.”