During open gallery hours, Leslie is talking to a woman about Congo/Women. She came in after seeing a sign detailing our exhibition in one of the space’s windows.

Leslie is telling her about all the other work she hopes to fund, specifically, our forced labor initiative.

The woman calls Leslie a few days later. Over the phone, she tells her that someone is interested in funding the work needed to produce the case studies and the photography. It turns out that the woman is a donor advisor to an anonymous family.

Now, as a result of learning about AWP, the family will donate $50,000 to AT WHAT COST_Human Trafficking/Forced Labor/Child Labor.

Will $50,000 finish the work?

No.

But, it will give us a great start.

At tonight’s meeting, Leslie says the bank called her to confirm the address of our organization. So, it’s real. Really real. No applications, no forms or LOI’s to muddle through.

Earlier on the phone with the donor advisor, Leslie asks, “Just like that?”

Yep. Just like that.

No knock on wood. No crossed fingers. Not one piggy flying in the sky. In a world where balance sheets can dwindle to zero in the blink of an eye, it’s more than miraculous to believe that money can fall out of nowhere… and right into your lap.

Opportunities arrive when you most need them or when least expected. So, just to keep yourself sane, hold out a little expectation for serendipity as well. And when that happens, you can feel a lot better about what luck truly means.

Just like that.