b'A DORN FOUNDATION CHALLENGE GRANT RECIPIENTFIRELANDS MONTESSORI ACADEMY A HOLISTIC APPROACHTO EDUCATIONWhen the Board at Firelands Montessori Academy (FMA) heard about the Dorn Foundation Challenge Grant at ECCF, they decided to move forward with a plan that had been up for discussion for several years: establishing an agency endowment to better position them-selves for years to come. They had just finished celebrating their 40th anniversary, and several major donors had stepped forward to support the strategic initiative. Thanks to their FMA was able to lever-generosity and the support of others throughout the community, age their $10,000 to receive the $5,000 match from the Dorn Foundation.According to Jim W. Murray, a local attorney and member of the FMA Board, Were excited about this new partnership with the Erie County Community Foundation. Not only have we taken an important step in ensuring that Firelands Montessori can thrive far into the future, but we look forward to engaging with the Foundation in other ways.Jims passion for FMA stems from his long-term relationship with the school. He went there as a young boy, and upon relocating back to Huron after living in California, hesent his youngest daughter there too. I credit much of what I learned about life to my Montessori education. I have a deep appreciation for how they harness each individual students potential and teach empathy in order to develop future leaders and global citizens.'