Contact: David Nachtweih | Teach For America
212.279.2080 x 370| david.nachtweih@teachforamerica.org
For Immediate Release
10-Year Challenge Grant Supports Teaching Corps’ Continued Growth in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, December 20, 2007—The Lenfest Foundation announced today a $10 million challenge grant to support Teach For America's growth in Philadelphia. Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity. The Lenfest Foundation grant will be distributed over 10 years, and is contingent upon Teach For America’s bringing at least 300 corps members each year into Philadelphia's highest-need schools and securing matching support from private-sector funding sources.
As one of Teach For America’s leading supporters in Philadelphia, the Lenfest Foundation is committed to investing in the recruitment, training, placement, and ongoing professional development of Teach For America corps members in the city, as well as the support and programming for Teach For America’s regional alumni. The Lenfest Foundation’s challenge grant is designed to encourage corporations, foundations, and individuals to join in supporting Teach For America’s efforts to ensure that students in Philadelphia’s low-income communities have the educational opportunities they deserve. The funds will be distributed annually in $1 million sums, starting in fall 2009. If in any year within the 10-year term of the grant Teach For America places 400 or more corps members in Philadelphia schools, that year’s gift would increase to $1.5 million.
“Teach For America is about changing the lives of children growing up in Philadelphia for the better. I can’t think of a better investment in our future,” said H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, chairman of the Lenfest Foundation.
“We deeply appreciate the Lenfest Foundation’s generous investment in and commitment to our vision for Teach For America in Philadelphia,” said Mike Wang, executive director of Teach For America -Greater Philadelphia-Camden. “We hope this grant will serve as a catalyst to inspire additional support for our corps members and alumni leaders working relentlessly each day to provide opportunities for students to succeed.”
“This grant is transformative for this community and will be the foundation that allows Teach For America to bring thousands of the most talented young people in the country to the city of Philadelphia,” said Bob Hall, Regional Advisory Board Chair of Teach For America - Greater Philadelphia-Camden.
Teach For America currently has 268 top college graduates from across the nation reaching nearly 23,000 students in Philadelphia’s highest-need schools. By the 2009-2010 school year, Teach For America aims to have 300 corps members teaching in Philadelphia, impacting more than 25,000 students. At the same time, Teach For America expects to have some 700 alumni in the region working from all professional sectors to create the fundamental changes necessary to level the playing field for children and families in Philadelphia’s low-income communities.
About The Lenfest Foundation
The Lenfest Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs primarily in the areas of education, arts, and the environment. H.F. (Gerry) and Marguerite Lenfest established the foundation in 2000. The foundation is based in suburban Philadelphia and primarily supports organizations and programs in southeastern and south central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and northern Delaware.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year, more than 5,000 corps members are teaching in over 1,000 schools in 26 regions across the country, and more than 12,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org
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