September 2011 Newsletter

Greetings from Voices for Philanthropy!

Robert Fulghum wrote “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” 23 years ago.  The poem advises readers to: “Share everything. Play fair...” and “When you go out into the world…hold hands and stick together.”  Millions of new and returning students will start or return to school this month, and many will benefit from philanthropic support that helps to bolster their educational endeavors.  We share a small sampling of their stories in this month’s newsletter.

"Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow…”
-  "Try to Remember" lyrics by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt

Back to School

Whether it is their first day of kindergarten or their last year of high school, the vast majority of students in the U.S. will return to school this month. Unfortunately, many will enter classrooms that lack the resources needed to help facilitate learning. Adopt-A-Classroom's mission is to “increase opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community partners and funds to purchase resources for the classroom.”  The organization has found that annually teachers spend an average of $1200 of their own money to purchase supplies.  Adopt-A-Classroom allows donors to select a classroom and make contributions - 100% of which is provided to teachers to purchase what they need for their students.  During a time of ever shrinking budgets and dwindling resources, Adopt-A-Classroom is an innovative way to support education by supporting teachers and students.

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy wants to prepare children for learning before they ever enter the classroom.  Its mission is to “provide books for local communities to prepare all Georgia preschool children for reading and learning success."  The Foundation cites numerous studies making the case for the vital importance and impact of early childhood education.  It asserts, “to immerse a child in literacy environment can be a stronger predictor of literacy and academic achievement than family income.”  To ensure the availability of quality books in the home, children in Ferst programs received a book at his/her home every month until their 5th birthday.

Reading is Fundamental (RIF), one of the nation’s largest nonprofit children’s literacy organizations, estimates that it has given books free of charge to at least 30 million children.  It provides new books to underprivileged children and also offers training and resources for others to encourage and support emerging readers as they learn how to read and find joy in reading. 

Among efforts to cultivate literacy skills and appreciation for reading is the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) whose mission is to “nurture a love of reading and writing among children throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.”  CLiF focuses on children who are at high risk of developing low literature skills in both inner cities and rural areas such as those in shelters and children of prisoners.  CLiF works with libraries –including partnering with 75% of the rural libraries in both states– on a number of programs to get library cards into the hands of children while also providing books to these libraries.  Unlike other programs, CLiF is supported entirely by donations from individuals, companies, foundations, and social organizations.

During the last week of August, 826 National hosted its annual 826 Week and National Youth Literacy Day on August 26, 2011.  826 National is a nonprofit organization dedicated to learning among students ages 6 to 18, recognizing that “strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.”  In its eight centers across the country, 826 National has served 24,000 students with a variety of programs, including write-a-thons, writing camps, and workshops designed to both encourage creativity and strengthen writing skills.  This year on National Youth Literacy Day, 826 invited everyone to visit 826on826.org  to demonstrate and practice their own skills through exercises that include an 8-2-6 haiku or an 82.6 word short story.  To locate a center near you, visit: www.826national.org.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (known as STEM) are enjoying growing support and focus from innovators across the country who want to build and enhance American industry – and the future economy – by supporting students’ critical thinking skills and problem-solving in these key areas of study.  Headquartered in Richland, Washington, The Washington State STEM Education Foundation believes that, “STEM literacy is a foundational skill that matters for all careers, not just the technology workforce” and the organization aspires to “develop the 21st century student.”  Great Minds in STEM is a Los Angeles organization that aims to, “Be a national leader in keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers especially in underserved communities.”  One of its initiatives, Viva Technology , engages inner city K-12 students in team activities and conversation with leading scientists to inspire and stimulate interest in these areas of study.

Decade of Remembering

September 11, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States and commemorates the dedication, bravery, generosity, and kindness exhibited on that day and the days following.  The ways in which people pay tribute are as personal as their experiences on that day.  Here are some anecdotes that provide a snapshot of how we honor everything we lost on 9/11.

• The Heritage Foundation reported on August 28, 2011, that sales of American flags have been steadily rising as the 9/11 anniversary draws near.
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• Rev. Daniel Simons is Priest for Liturgy, Hospitality, and Pilgrimage at Trinity Wall Street and posted a thoughtful commentary on how St. Paul’s chapel, the little church in lower Manhattan at Broadway and Wall Street directly adjacent to where the World Trade Center fell, has become a pilgrimage for tourists and others visiting Ground Zero. 
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• The Guardian UK has invited its readers from around the world to record their memories of 9/11, “to create a unique record of one of the defining events of our time.”
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Voices for Philanthropy Profile

Planting a SEED, Reaping Academic Success

After observing bright, inner-city students struggle in a private school setting former management consultant Eric Adler asked himself “What would it take for these students to be able to succeed?”  The idea of an urban, public boarding school planted itself in his mind and in 1998 the first school opened.  SEED schools are college-preparatory boarding schools for students from traditionally underserved communities.  The SEED model has proven successful: 97 percent of graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges and universities (including American University, Brown University, Howard University, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Princeton University) and 90 percent of SEED graduates have immediately enrolled in college, compared with the national average of 56 percent.  Adler remains managing director of The SEED Foundation, which works with thousands of supporters to make building and running the schools possible.

Events

FOLLOW-UP: The Economic Opportunity Road Tour is back on the road in October. Sponsored by The Philanthropy Roundtable, The Road Tour showcases inspiring donors and outstanding nonprofit leaders from across the nation who are helping individuals and communities to achieve and sustain self-reliance and economic success.  On October 4-5, the Road Tour will highlight Cincinnati Works in Ohio.  This program helps the chronically unemployed obtain—and retain—jobs. Its track record is notable; since being founded in 1996, the organization has helped 3,000 job seekers find steady employment, and, despite the high national unemployment rate, Cincinnati Works has achieved a retention rate of 80 percent. For more information on the Road Tour please contact Elizabeth Isele at The Philanthropy Roundtable at: 202.822.8333 or by email at: eisele@philanthropyroundtable.org.

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These monthly e-newsletters are designed to provide a snapshot of American philanthropy by highlighting events, acknowledging important dates, and profiling individuals, organizations and others making a difference.

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