RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing a new $50,000 matching grant from the 4Others Foundation for its free classroom supply store for Wake County Public Schools teachers. The 4Others Foundation will match any donation to WakeEd Partnership’s Tools4Schools through September 30 up to $50,000.
“We would have never accomplished all we did in the first year of Tools4Schools without the generous support and encouragement from the 4Others Foundation,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “This new challenge matching grant will help us keep the shelves stocked and expand our hours and days open to better serve our amazing Wake County teachers.”
Since Tools4Schools opened in January 2022, WakeEd Partnership has given away $336,999 in new classroom supplies to Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) teachers. Tools4Schools has served 4,378 teachers from 93% of Wake County Public Schools.
- In a survey, 98.2% of educators agree that Tools4Schools reduced out-of-pocket spending significantly.
- 6% of educators agree that shopping at Tools4Schools positively impacted student preparation.
- According to surveyed educators, the perceived estimated value of the items received at Tools4Schools was an average of $176 per shop.
The 4Others Foundation helped launch Tools4Schools by pledging $50,000 in matching funds in October 2021 if WakeEd could raise $50,000 by December 31, 2021. WakeEd crossed the $50K finish line December 6, 2022 and Tools4Schools opened in January 2022.
All gifts to WakeEd Partnership and Tools4Schools are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card and have your donation doubled!. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609, with Tools4Schools on the memo line.
WakeEd Partnership opened Tools4Schools in January 2022 with the help of the community and generous donors. In its first year WakeEd gave away more than $230,000 in new school supplies. Learn more at www.wakeed.org/tools4schools/
About WakeEd Partnership
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023, WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a leading independent nonprofit backed by business and community leaders to support the teachers, students, and families of Wake County Public Schools. Since 1983, WakeEd has been committed to improving public education and advocating for excellent educational opportunities for all students. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.