Joseph James Morelli Foundation
2024 Gratitude Report
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A Letter from our President
Dear friends,
Ten years is significant. It is a decade, a milestone, an anniversary, a memorial. Do we celebrate or cry? When we started this foundation, we did so out of a tragic and painful experience, the untimely death of a beloved son, brother and dear friend. We did not want money wasted on flowers—Joseph would not have approved of that. Instead, we asked for donations in lieu of flowers and awarded two scholarships totaling $1,500 to two dyslexic students. We had no idea how to organize a non-profit, let alone how to run one. We never imagined we would become a nationally recognized nonprofit helping hundreds of dyslexic students across the country—yet here we are, because of our amazing supporters and dedicated board of directors!
Over these ten years we have learned from our scholarship recipients that the financial assistance is helpful however the moral support, mentoring and community that they become a part of is enormously valuable. We build lasting relationships with our students and their families, offering ongoing resources and encouragement. No journey is ever smooth, there are bumps and challenges which make us stronger and that is especially true for our family and this foundation. To be able to support, award and more importantly hear from our scholarship recipients on why Joseph’s story mirrors theirs and inspires them never fails to impact our scholarship review committee members as we consider the applications each year. Marty, a four-time awardee, shared, “Receiving the Joseph James Morelli Foundation scholarship means more than you can imagine. It has shown me that there is support for people like me with dyslexia. It has made me feel part of a community, not an outcast, and opened up a whole network of people who share my experiences. Thank you to everyone who has touched this program.” Our mission is to honor Joseph’s spirit through scholarships that empower students with dyslexia to believe in themselves. We are comforted knowing we have made a difference in our recipients’ lives over the past decade.
Because of your generous support we have awarded a total of $701,800 to 415 awardees across the country in ten years. And because of your generous support we have had the privilege of witnessing the courage and resilience in which our recipients pursue their education, despite their learning differences. They and you touch our hearts deeply.
Thank you for sustaining this opportunity.
Barbara Wirostko Morelli, MD
Executive Director, President & Founder
Save the Date for our annual Park City Celebration Event!
The Shed at Promontory
Saturday, August 17, 2024
5:00—8:30PM
Our guest speaker will be David Flink, Cofounder and Chief Empowerment Officer of EYE TO EYE
Scholarship Overview
In 2015 we presented two Park City highschool students a $750 scholarship—we could never have imagined that 10 years later the number of scholarships offered would be 415, to students living in 41 different states. We are exceedingly grateful for the overwhelming generosity of our supporters. Thank you for continuting to make a significant difference in the lives of each recipient.
What You Helped Us Accomplish
Foundation Highlights
- After a very successful first year, our peer-to-peer Mentorship Program will once again be offered to all incoming freshmen. We continue to have mentees become mentors after their own productive and favorable experience. And we are grateful for our continued partnership with Jake Sussman and SuperPower Mentors and our thoughtful donors, together we are making a difference.
- This year’s scholarship recipients once again include siblings of four current and two previous Morelli scholars.
- We supported Wasatch Reading Summit, hosted by Decoding Dyslexia Utah, an organization that focuses on applying the science of reading in the classroom. Our CEO and Founder, Barbara Morelli Wirostko MD was honored to be the closing keynote speaker.
- For the third year, the Morelli Foundation sponsored and participated in the annual Utah School Counselors Association (USCA) and provided education to over 600 counselors about scholarship opportunities for dyslexic students pursuing an education in STEM.
- In August 2023, we hosted our annual “Celebration” event in Park City, Utah, where we enjoyed remarks from several of our scholarship recipients – always a highlight. We celebrated Joseph’s spirit, our scholarship recipients and generous donors.
- We achieved a new milestone during our annual Live PC Give PC event raising $64,789, an increase of 60% from the previous year, from 288 supporters.
Congratulations Graduates
The percent of students with learning disabilities who graduate from a four-year college is 49.5%, compared to 68% for students without disabilities. Just 37% of students report their disability to their college and 15-43% of students who report their disability do not receive accommodations from their school. We are working hard to improve these odds.
Congratulations to each of our Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients who have successfully graduated with a degree in STEM within the past 10 years. These 25 students have successfully navigated extraordinary challenges and we applaud their ambition and perseverance.
| Student | College | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Armstrong | California State University Northridge | Mechanical Engineering |
| Cole Arthur | Montana State University | Mechanical Engineering |
| Collin Barker | Roger Williams University | Marine Biology |
| Braden Berridge | Michigan Technological University | Forestry and Environmental Studies |
| Jackson Biel | Kansas State University | Electrical Engineering, Minor in Physics |
| Jeffrey Black | Baylor University | Biology |
| Rylee Cardon | Auburn University | Aerospace Engineering |
| Tori Donoho | Purdue University | Computer Science |
| Jack Evans | Arizona State University | Material Science Engineering |
| Katherine Ginder | Smith College | Economics |
| Michael Gnatovic | University of Utah | Civil Engineering |
| Emma Hausz | University of Cincinnati | Architecture |
| Jared Hunter | Weber State University | Computer Science |
| Alleen Koenig | Southwestern University | Math |
| Ethan Lursen | University of Northern Iowa | Construction Management |
| Matthew McCool | Oklahoma State University | Aerospace Engineering |
| Mitchell Miletich | Keuka College | Environmental Science |
| Layne Oliver | Montana State University | Mechanical Engineering |
| Riley Phillips | Utah Valley University | Mathematics with an emphasis in actuarial science |
| Sarah Randall | Eastern Michigan University | Interdisciplinary Neuroscience |
| Marty Rygh | Montana State University | Electrical Engineering |
| Braydon Saxton | Southern Utah University | Mathematics |
| Sterling Shepard | Mercer University | Industrial Engineering |
| Lynn Spencer | University of Utah | Health & Kinesiology with an emphasis in EMS |
| Jessica Wilson | Appalachian State University | Environmental Science |
Graduates Q&A's
Jessica Wilson, Program Mentor & Graduate
What impact, if any, did the Morelli Foundation have on your college experience?
The Morelli Foundation greatly lessened the financial burden of going to college, but the monetary help is only a small part of their impact. The Foundation gives scholarship recipients so much encouragement and support. The Foundation lets us know there is a whole organization of kind generous people in our corner believing in our ability to succeed. That drives recipients to be the best we can be, at least that was the case for me. The
Morelli Foundation also provides direct support through the mentor program. I have only experienced the program from a mentor standpoint, but being able to help and connect with other students who have had similar struggles was wonderful. The Morelli Foundation made me a more successful college student.
What was something difficult that you successfully overcame?
I am now a published scientist. In fact, over the next few months I will be a published scientist several times over. When I was first diagnosed with dysgraphia, publishing my writing seemed as likely as the moon being made of cheese. I learned how to overcome my disability and not let it limit what I can achieve. I may have to spend more time editing than my peers, but what I have to say is just as valuable. I hope all my fellow Morelli scholars will be just as successful at overcoming the challenges life throws their way.
If you could change one thing about your college experience, what would it be?
During my sophomore year of college, the Covid 19 pandemic hit. I think every student who experienced covid learning will say that is what they would change about their experience. As a STEM manager having labs moved online meant I lost out on a lot of valuable hands-on experiences that simply cannot be replicated, despite having wonderful professors. I have since worked hard to make up for this lack of knowledge, but it has been difficult. And of course, there were the emotional hardships of having your life turned upside down that we all experienced. I hope to never experience anything like that ever again.
What advice would you offer to our Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients?
I would tell Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients to make good use of their resources. Do not be afraid to fight for your accommodations or to update them as you need. You are entitled to them and there is no shame in needing them. For every person that is against it there are five people on your side, Do not let that one person prevent you from being and doing your best. You got this!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would just like to thank the Morelli Foundation, and everyone involved in their mission for everything. They are truly changing lives with their generosity and kindness. I will always be grateful to be a Morelli Foundation scholarship recipient.
Michael Gnatovic, Mentor & Graduate
What impact, if any, did the Morelli Foundation have on your college experience?
The Morelli Foundation had a profound impact on my college experience. As someone with dyslexia, navigating the academic challenges of college presented unique obstacles. However, thanks to the generous scholarship support from the Morelli Foundation, I was able to pursue my academic goals with greater focus. The financial assistance provided by the Morelli Foundation relieved a significant burden, allowing me to fully immerse myself in graduating with two degrees, Civil engineering and construction engineering.
What was something difficult that you successfully overcame?
I have successfully earned dual degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering. Alongside academic achievement, I cultivated lasting friendships and secured employment upon graduation, achieving a promotion within two years.
If you could change one thing about your college experience, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about my college experience it would be to have joined more clubs to meet even more people or to take a leadership position in the fraternity I joined.
What advice would you offer to our Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients?
After successfully earning two separate degrees in civil engineering and construction engineering, I’ve learned a valuable lesson to share: Discover your driving force for success early on. Setting clear goals will keep you focused and resilient during challenging times. Throughout my journey, I’ve found that establishing a consistent routine, building connections with professors from the start, and surrounding myself with supportive peers have been instrumental in maintaining academic excellence and motivation.
Michael Gnatovic, Mentor & Graduate
What impact, if any, did the Morelli Foundation have on your college experience?
The Morelli Foundation had a profound impact on my college experience. As someone with dyslexia, navigating the academic challenges of college presented unique obstacles. However, thanks to the generous scholarship support from the Morelli Foundation, I was able to pursue my academic goals with greater focus. The financial assistance provided by the Morelli Foundation relieved a significant burden, allowing me to fully immerse myself in graduating with two degrees, Civil engineering and construction engineering.
What was something difficult that you successfully overcame?
I have successfully earned dual degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering. Alongside academic achievement, I cultivated lasting friendships and secured employment upon graduation, achieving a promotion within two years.
If you could change one thing about your college experience, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about my college experience it would be to have joined more clubs to meet even more people or to take a leadership position in the fraternity I joined.
What advice would you offer to our Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients?
After successfully earning two separate degrees in civil engineering and construction engineering, I’ve learned a valuable lesson to share: Discover your driving force for success early on. Setting clear goals will keep you focused and resilient during challenging times. Throughout my journey, I’ve found that establishing a consistent routine, building connections with professors from the start, and surrounding myself with supportive peers have been instrumental in maintaining academic excellence and motivation.
Marty Rygh, Mentor & Graduate
What impact, if any, did the Morelli Foundation have on your college experience?
The Morelli foundation affected my college experience by giving me a sense of community, and involvement in that community through the mentoring program.
What was something difficult that you successfully overcame?
Something that was difficult that I overcame while in college was my shame about not being able to spell. I used to never want to write things on the board, or be the scribe for a group project because I was nervous that I would spell something wrong. But thought school I realized that nobody really cares haha. In fact most of the time people are supper helpful and understanding. While playing games like Pictionary or charades with some of my closer friends we always get good laughs at how outrageously wrong I spell some words.
If you could change one thing about your college experience, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about my college experience, It would be to spend less time on actual school, and more time working on research or on club things. I feel like these real life problems can teach you a lot more life skills than theoretical math problems can. Don’t get me wrong, I still think its important to know theoretical math, I just think I could have spent more time working a real job.
What advice would you offer to our Morelli Foundation scholarship recipients?
I would say to find a club on campus that really interests you and stick with it. At first clubs can be intimidating and you may feel like you aren’t being helpful. But as you learn what is going on you become more and more a crucial part of the team. You also will become part of a great community at your school.
Community
The Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium
The Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium (DXI) started as a dream! We wanted to create a powerful event to bring people together with the simple goal of spotlighting the strengths of the dyslexic mind and creating a format for changemakers to a bold vision that goes beyond traditional scholarly research and embraces the challenge of lasting cultural and systemic change across disciplines.
Each year, DXI features compelling keynote speakers and panel discussions. Previous event highlights include Ann Bancroft, polar explorer; Cliff Weitzman, serial entrepreneur; Jewell Loyd, WNBA professional basketball player; Alex Heckle, X Game athlete; David Flink, author and activist; Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide, and many other notable dyslexic thinkers.
Montana State University hosts the DXI symposium each October. Co-founded by MSU professors Jeffrey Conger and Sarah Pennington, it has become a signature event changing the narrative around neurodivergence and a contemporary vision of dyslexia. The symposium explores common themes that embrace the dyslexic superpowers, including spatial awareness, greater peripheral vision, understanding complex patterns, faster visual processing, big-picture thinking, problem-solving, and learning grit and tenacity.
The Joseph James Morelli Foundation is once again pleased to support this event and we invite everyone to join the broadcast on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5:30- 8:00pm (MST). The DXI symposium is open to students, educators, parents, and the community. It is free and open to the public. Online pre-registration is required and will open in early September.
For more information, visit www.montana.edu/dxi.
Support
Ways to Support Our Nonprofit Organization
Thank you for your continued support and for making a life changing impact in the lives of our scholarship recipients.
Company Match Donation
Many companies offer a “matching gift” program and will match contributions to employees’ favorite non-profit charitable organizations.
To see if your company participates visit
www.charitynavigator.org.
Donate, Volunteer & Support During Annual Live PC Give PC
On November 3, 2023 we will once again join the Park City Community Foundation for Live PC Give PC, the annual day of giving.
Thank you to everyone who contributed this past November. With your remarkable generosity we raised $40,396!
Make a Tax Deductible Charitable Donation
Make a donation on our website, www.morelli.foundation or write a check payable to “Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation“ and mail it to:
Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation
7585 North Ranch Club Trail
Park City, UT 84098
All Donations are 100% Tax Deductible
EIN: 83-1939846
Financial Highlights
We continue to be profoundly grateful to each of our supporters. You are making a significant difference in the lives of our scholarship recipients and honoring Joseph’s spirit.
Contributions received in 2023, $222,703.
91% of contributions received in 2023 supported current year program services and provided additional reserves to support awardees in future years.
Platinum Transparency 2024. Candid.
The Morelli Foundation has once again received the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. This level of recognition indicates that the Morelli Foundation shares clear and important information with the public about our goals, strategies, capabilities, achievements and progress indicators that highlight the difference the Foundation makes in the world.
Charity Navigator, 4-Star Rating
The Morelli Foundation is proud to announce to have earned a Charity Navigator score of 99%, which is a Four-Star rating. Charity Navigator provides insight into a nonprofit’s cost-effectiveness and overall health, including stability, efficiency, and sustainability. As such, supporters of the Morelli Foundation may donate with confidence, knowing the foundation is well managed.
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
Ten years ago we could never have imagined that we would have the opportunity to award over $700,000 to 415 awardees. Thank you for helping us change the lives of our scholarship recipients who are successfully navigating their learning differences while pursuing an education in STEM.
The list of charitable contributions that we have received this past year may be viewed by scanning this QR code.
The Mission of the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation
The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation honors Joseph’s spirit, by supporting high school and college students diagnosed with dyslexia who are planning to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) by: 1. Awarding scholarships to ease the financial burden of education and recognize achievement 2. Empowering our scholarship recipients to realize their potential through the Morelli Foundation mentoring program 3. Creating a sense of community in which our scholarship recipients and families can feel supported. Through our programs, we convey to our scholarship recipients that we view dyslexia as a learning difference that can drive them to be stronger, more determined, dedicated and able to shine brighter, as they learn to believe in themselves the way we believe in them.