Founding the Afterglow Foundation
A few months ago, I shared that I want to start a non-profit organization, something that has been on my mind and heart for years now. Something I wanted to do with the yoga studio back in Pennsylvania.
If I'm honest, I've been sitting on this idea for a number of reasons. Namely, funding.
Here's the vision: I want to start the Afterglow Foundation.
What is the Afterglow Foundation?
The Foundation would offer perinatal yoga classes (prenatal, postnatal, fertility), and therapeutic classes for women at a rate that is accessible to students, especially new mothers with young children (or those about to have young children) and women who need help at any point in their lives.
When I started trying to teach Prenatal, Postnatal, and gentle yoga classes here in RI, I ran into a few issues:
Room/space rental costs are HIGH for teachers and providers, which deters many from offering specialty services.
Many families with young children can only afford so much with the rates of childcare, increasing grocery costs, fuel costs and so on. This is also true for those seeking multiple modalities to help with their healing processes.
Studios have a hard time putting these types of classes on their schedules, because they know they can reach more students in all levels type classes to pay their own bills (and I get this...I had a studio once, too).
Women and mothers need specific supports for the body and mind, but so many simply cannot fit it into their budget and/or are afraid to because that investment could go to something for their family.
Many individuals could improve their experiences with anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, infertility, and the perinatal period with therapeutic yoga practices designed for their needs...but these are increasingly hard to find.
So, what if a non-profit foundation existed that could absorb many of those above costs and offer access to women's health and yoga based services for those in need?
What if a foundation could raise the necessary funds to help pay for space rentals, teacher fees, and equipment costs for classes?
What if the costs of teaching - which are high (see above) - were not passed on to the individuals who need it most?
And, what if MORE women needing support during their pregnancies, gnarly postpartums, life transitions, fertility journeys and mental health struggles could actually afford to show up for classes at a subsidized rate or, depending on the population, completely free?
What if there was an organization that pulled together perinatal yoga teachers throughout the country (maybe even beyond) and offered supports to them so that they could more easily teach yoga in their communities, and also get paid for their efforts and time?
And, why does this all even matter?
Because the health of mothers is the foundation for the health of societies.
Because infants and children reap the benefits of an emotionally and physically healthy mother.
Because we need more women to be able to effectively do their work in the world at all ages and stages of life.
Because women bring important perspectives and awareness to their families, workplaces, relationships and beyond.
Because with all the advances in modern technology and medicine, there are still increasing rates of dis-ease specific to women and children.
It's a big vision.
If I'm honest, I know I can do this because aside from my yoga teaching career, I have worked in philanthropy and non-profits for a decade.
And if I'm VERY honest, I need help. I am asking for your support. Something I've never done before.
To found the Afterglow Foundation, I need to raise money for the following:
Continuing education - There is VERY little continuing education for holistic perinatal providers. I have largely been carving my own path in the yoga therapy world, piecing together my own curriculum to serve the perinatal and women's health population. Now, I'm at a standstill, because I do need more funding to finish this work and study with one traditional midwife in particular who focuses on physiology rather than pathology.
Legal support - I need to work with a lawyer to trademark the name, incorporate the non-profit, help write articles of incorporation and bylaws, and help me file with the IRS. Sure, I could probably figure this out solo, but it would be a big sigh if I could ensure all T's were crossed.
Operations - My website, newsletter provider, paying myself for my time and paying for childcare are all costs with this work. If I cannot pay myself, future staff, and other teachers as well as the overhead costs, then this work will not get done. Those who work in non-profit organizations are some of the smartest and scrappiest out there, and deserve to be compensated for it.
Seed Funding - The goal is to have funds set aside so that other perinatal providers in their communities can apply to the Afterglow Foundation to teach prenatal, postpartum, and gentle yoga classes in their communities. This ensures that those teachers have help with paying rent, insurance, equipment, and can also be compensated fairly for their time. Each grant would range from $1500 - $3000 depending on project scope.
Am I absolutely crazy? Probably. Am I a bit terrified? Definitely.
My goal is to raise $6000 for this project over the summer.
If everyone reading this gave just $25 I would make it. If you've ever been touched by one of these letters, I sincerely and humbly ask for a donation to found the Afterglow Foundation and simply help me try to create this organization.
And, at the very least, I ask for help to fund the writing of these letters to continue to connect and share yogic and Vedic teachings adapted to modern times.
Here's how you can help:
You can simply make a donation here. $25, $50, $75. However much you feel like you can give. It all helps!
When you give at the $100 level, you will automatically be invited to the Study of the Yoga Sutra 10 week course. Here you will get to learn about the roots of yoga to support your own meditation and yogic practice.
Offer pro bono services and/or inquire about becoming a founding Board Member. If you have a skill that you'd like to contribute in law, finance, fundraising, and/or would like to learn about being a founding Board Member, please let me know.
If I make my goal of $6000 before Labor Day, I'd love to welcome all who donate to a virtual yoga class or maybe some kind of virtual/in person hybrid for those in Rhode Island.
I am deeply honored to have served you in any capacity and am so grateful for your help in founding the Afterglow Foundation. I appreciate your consideration, support, and I'll keep you posted on what unfolds! I would like to share more of this vision with you if there's interest, and my plans for keeping the foundation going after its founding.
Next week, we'll continue with our Kosha series, diving into the depths of Vijnanamaya Kosha, also known as the wisdom layer.
Big, big hugs to all of you. I hope you are celebrating with me.
Jai Ma.
With love,
Leanne
P.S. For anyone that donates before Labor Day, you are the Afterglow Foundation's Founding Donors. Your name will have a special place on the website, in an upcoming email newsletter, and in the future, I hope it will also grace a dream IRL home. Please donate here. <3
P.P.S. I'll be personalizing these letters more, meaning if you only want to receive messages about yogic philosophy for modern living then that's all you'll get in the future. And if you want it all (yoga philosophy and updates on the non-profit foundation), then you will read it all! Please know, I will respect your inbox wishes.
P.P.P.S. The day this goes out, it is Bodhi Bear's sixth birthday. <3 Can you believe it? Many of you celebrated his birth with our family. Sending love!
