December 7, 2021
WakeEd Partnership Hits $50,000 Goal for Matching Grant for Classroom Supply Store for Teachers
RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting teachers and students in the Wake County Public School System, announced today that it has met the $50,000 goal to secure a matching grant from the 4 Others Foundation to support its new teacher classroom supply warehouse Tools4Schools.
In October, the 4 Others Foundation pledged $50,000 in matching funds for Tools4Schools if WakeEd could raise $50,000 by December 31, 2021. WakeEd crossed the finish line last week with a generous $20,000 donation from the Marcotte Family of Raleigh, bringing the total amount raised, including the match, to $104,000 as of December 6.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve exceeded our $50,000 goal a month early and earned the matching grant from the 4 Others Foundation for our new classroom supply warehouse, Tools4Schools,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “We know teachers are spending too much money out of their own pockets for student supplies in the classroom, and this free store will help fulfill that need.”
WakeEd Partnership plans to open the new school supply “store” on January 18, 2022, at 1660 Piney Plains Drive in Cary, just across from Crossroads Shopping Center at the former Crossroads Ford dealership site. It will be a place for Wake County Public School System teachers to obtain FREE supplies, to ensure that their students start each day with confidence. Tools4Schools will open by targeting a select group of the highest need schools in Wake County and will add groups each month until all public-school teachers in Wake County are being served.
In addition to cash donations, WakeEd Partnership will ultimately take donations of new and gently used items for the classrooms from companies, organizations, and individuals, including serving as a one-stop drop for any community school supply drives that wish to partner with Tool4Schools.
“We’re thrilled with the community response so far, but the needs are great, and all donations will make a huge difference for our students and teachers here in Wake County,” Poston added
All gifts are tax-deductible. Click here to donate using a debit or credit card. Checks can be mailed to WakeEd Partnership at 3101 Industrial Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609, with Tools4Schools on the memo line.
For information about additional giving opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, contact our Fundraising Chief Lisa Mead at lmead@wakeed.org.
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.WakeEd.org.
