In my role as Director of Programs for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, a national private foundaiton, I have been fortunate to work with Helen Riley in preparing grant proposals to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund overe the past 19 years. During that time, I have come to know St. Michael's as what our foundation considers THE model for state-of-the-art early child care and education . We have also come to know Helen Riley, the school's leader for some 27 years, as an extremely effective leader and policy advocate around excellence in early care and educaiton. In fact, over the past 27 years, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund has awarded $928,890 in grants to St. Michael's School in response to their excellent proposals and exceptional work on behalf of children, children who are most often the most disadvantaged children in Wilmington, Delaware. I highly recommend your consideration of St. Michale's School & Nursery for your consideration as on of your 2012 Top-rated nonprofits. Sally Howard Douglass, Director of Programs

St. Michael's School and Nursery serves its community well. It encourages participation from fathers and mothers of all children as well as grandparents and community members. The children arrive with smiles, looking forward to a day of learning that might include study of a foreign language, computers, art with a local artist, and many other opportunities for learning. The new playground and the children's garden add to the wonderful day ahead. As a donor, I am proud of te scholarship program which allows many children (most of the 200 + enrolled) to take advantage of this wonderful school and nursery. St. Michael's is relentless in its fundraising and uses the money received very well. It is a joy to be part of this wonderful program.

St. Michael's has been serving Wilmington's working families since the 1890's: it is the state's oldest child care facility. Today the school serves about 150 children, 80% of whom receive tuition assistance so that they can afford to attend. It is a pleasure for me to support St. Michael's with my donations because the school is very well managed, the faculty and staff are caring and accomplished people, and the kids there receive a great start in life.