Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, announced on Thursday (August 7th) that Google and Staples have fully funded every Windy City- based project on the education crowdfunding platform, DonorsChoose. As a result, 363 teachers will receive $383,868 worth of classroom supplies ranging from paper, pencils and books to laptops, along with musical instruments and microscopes.
Mayor Emanuel stated,
“There is no greater investment we can make in the future of the city of Chicago than by investing in our children. Our teachers enter the classroom each day to ensure their students live up to their full potential. Through their ongoing dedication, and the resources provided by Google and Staples, our students will have increased access to the tools necessary to go to college and to build a successful career.”
On DonorsChoose, teachers post projects requesting materials they need for their classrooms, and donors support the projects that inspire them. Among the projects funded were a listening center for Ms. Everett’s students, laptops and a 3D printer for Ms. Manata’s students, and musical instruments for Mr. Dixon’s students.
Head of Chicago Public Affairs at Google, Rob Biederman, stated, “Chicago’s hardworking public school teachers are doing allt hat they can – and more – to support their students, but they need more help. We jump at the chance to join the DonorsChoose and Staples to make Chicago’s local classroom wishes come true.”
Senior vice president of Staple’s North American stores and online, Alison Corcoran, noted, “At Staples, we’re excited to continue our long history of supporting teachers through our $1 million donation to DonorsChoose. We’re proud to help make sure teachers have all the resources they need, whether it’s essential supplies or materials for projects that enrich the learning experience.”
“We’re thrilled that tow of our most generous partners could support Chicago’s classrooms in such an incredible way,” Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose, Charles Best, explained. “This group effort will ensure that Chicago teachers won’t have to dig as deep into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies, and students will have the materials they need to start the school year right.”
Google’s donation comes several weeks after the company made similar flash funding donations to surprise and support schools in the San Francisco and Atlanta metro areas. In the past year, Google has also worked with DonorsChoose on other innovative grants, including a $5 million program to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented minority and female high school students that participate in Advanced Placement (AP) courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines, and a national Made with Code initiative to inspire millions of girls to code.
Staples’ donation is part of its #MakeRoarHappen program, featuring Katy Perry. Staples has donated $1 million to DonorsChoose.org and conduct similar flash funding donations in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Manhattan, Boston, and Philadelphia so far this summer sponsor of the North American leg of the Katy Perry Prismatic World Tour, Staples is encouraging customers to support their local teachers through in-store donations and the #MakeRoarHappen website.
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