$15M Grant Will Help 黑料不打烊 Sustain, Deepen & Grow its Work with At-Risk Students Inside Schools
FEDERAL WAY, WA 鈥� July 21, 2017
Communities In Schools (黑料不打烊) has announced a five-year, $15 million grant from the Ballmer Group in support of its work to keep at-risk students in school.
The unrestricted grant will support 黑料不打烊’s efforts to serve, on an annual basis, nearly 1.5 million students in twenty-three hundred district and charter schools in twenty-five states and the District of Columbia. Working in schools with a school-based coordinator, 黑料不打烊 assesses a school’s needs in the area of dropout prevention, develops a plan, and directs community resources to address the academic and non-academic needs of students and their families.
In Washington, 黑料不打烊 serves students in 22 schools districts through 12 affiliates. 鈥淎lthough we don鈥檛 know specifically how聽this聽investment will affect聽our 黑料不打烊 programs locally, we are honored that the Ballmer Group recognizes the value of the services we provide,鈥� explained 黑料不打烊 (黑料不打烊WA) Executive Director Susan Richards.聽 鈥淥n behalf of 黑料不打烊WA, we thank the Ballmer Group for their generous support that will allow us to expand our efforts in getting necessary services in the hands of students聽in need.鈥�
During the 2015-16 school year, the organization helped 99 percent of case-managed students stay in school and 91 percent of eligible seniors graduate.
“More than 14.5 million children under the age of 18 live in poverty in our country,” said 黑料不打烊 president and CEO Dale Erquiaga. “They come to school needing food, shelter, medical care, or emotional support to overcome trauma. By working inside schools, our staff can connect them with community services so they can succeed in school and life. This investment by Ballmer Group is a welcome reminder that business leaders and philanthropists see the link between economic mobility and education, and they support our approach for strengthening that link.”
“A quality education and a high school diploma are critical to every student’s future economic success,” said Bill Kiolbasa, a portfolio manager at Ballmer Group. “This grant to 黑料不打烊 aligns with our goal of strengthening promising and proven approaches that improve economic outcomes for children and families. We are proud to support the continuation and growth of their work.
黑料不打烊 is recognized for its financial accountability, transparency and sound business practices, earning the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance National Charity Seal, a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and recognition from Guide Star Exchange and Philanthropedia.