As a relatively recent Mudcat member who has discovered the joy of connecting up with family friends who live several states distant, I was happy to send a check to help keep Mudcat in place. I was pleased to see Max's heartfelt thanks. And he is welcome.

Now, as we all realize how close we came to losing this resource (and I've seen enough past thread titles that I haven't dipped into to know this isn't new) we need as individual group members to suggest possible solutions that we are able to actually assist with. For me, I see a possible solution in the writing of grants. I research grants for a university library, and can suggest places to find who would fund this kind of organization. I'm amazed that a site with the value of words, music, and interpretation isn't receiving any outside funding support. The key is for Mudcat management to learn how to fill out grant applications, to send them to precisely the right funders, and to understand exactly the strings that might be attached (in order to avoid the strings that are unpalatable).

Grants are at best supplemental funding, not an occasion to stop the individual donations. In fact, grants are more frequently awarded when the recipient can demonstrate a solid donor base. Success breeds success in this form of funding. I won't go into any more detail here, it is enough to simply suggest a way to assist Max in the future. This is such a remarkable site that has been established for such good reasons that it seems to me like a shoe-in for funding!

Maggie