The College Crusade of Rhode Island Thanks Major Funders for Their Support in Challenging Economy
Announces Plans to Seek New $18 Million Federal Grant to Support College Access and Readiness for RI Urban Students
Above, Todd D. Flaherty, president & CEO, recognizes major funders of The College Crusade of Rhode Island for their contributions. From left are Denise Jenkins of the Rhode Island Foundation, Michealle Larkins of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, and Deborah Donovan, representing the Amgen Foundation.
Providence, R.I., November 8, 2010 – Thanks to its generous funders, The College Crusade of Rhode Island significantly increased private support for student programs last year, despite the challenging economic climate, the organization announced today. Much of the increased funding was in the form of matching support for a $2.7 million GEAR UP grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which requires a strict dollar-for-dollar local match. The organization also announced that it will be applying for another multiyear federal grant from GEAR UP in the coming months.
“The College Crusade is profoundly grateful to each of our funding partners for their continued, and in many cases increased, support in these difficult times,” said Todd D. Flaherty, Ed.D., President & CEO of The College Crusade. “Like many organizations, we have been challenged by the economic downturn and the state’s ability to provide funding. Thanks to the increased generosity of our private funders, and careful fiscal management, we have been able to continue providing high-quality college access programs to more than 3,500 students from Rhode Island’s low-income urban communities. We are especially grateful to our major supporters – TG, The Rhode Island Foundation, The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, and The Amgen Foundation – for partnering with us to advance the educational aspirations of urban youth.”
The College Crusade secured over $500,000 in private donations in fiscal year 2010, compared to $200,000 in fiscal year 2008 when the impact of the recession began to be felt. Recent major gifts include $106,868 from TG, $85,000 from The Rhode Island Foundation, $50,000 from The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation (Bank of America, N.A., Trustee), and $40,000 from The Amgen Foundation. These major supporters of the organization’s mission cited several reasons for their continued giving.
“As part of the Foundation’s major initiative in public education, we are pleased to support The College Crusade of Rhode Island,” said Denise M. Jenkins, grant program officer for the Rhode Island Foundation. “As the state’s largest college-readiness program, it provides critical academic support and resources for 3,500 urban students each year. The program has a proven record of success in preparing students for academic achievement and personal development from sixth grade through college.”
“The College Crusade of Rhode Island recognizes that preparing students to succeed in higher education requires long-term commitment and investment in the future of those students and their families,” said Kristin Boyer, director of public benefit grants for TG. “One of the aspects of The College Crusade that most impressed us was the variety and quality of the programs they offer – spanning the education pipeline and addressing multiple barriers to college access, whether those involve academic preparation, availability of college-planning information, financial resources, or simply helping students to build self-confidence and resilience. TG is pleased to share the mission of improving student success with The College Crusade of Rhode Island and to work with them to help shape the future – for students, our communities, and our nation as a whole.”
“We are pleased to partner with The College Crusade of Rhode Island, which offers college preparatory programs and scholarships to middle and high school students in Rhode Island to increase college access and improve students’ success in college,” said Michealle Larkins, foundation officer for the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation. “Their consistent support for the state’s urban students exemplifies the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation’s mission of promoting college readiness and access for underserved populations in New England.”
“Amgen is pleased to partner with The College Crusade,” said Kimball Hall, vice president, Rhode Island Site Operations, Amgen. “The Amgen Foundation is committed to raising the value of education in our community by funding innovative programs such as this. The quality work of The College Crusade helps ensure that the young minds in Rhode Island have a chance at furthering their education and having success in life. We are pleased also that our staff can play in a role in this shared vision.”
College Crusade CEO Todd Flaherty noted that increased funding from partners is particularly critical at this time. “The College Crusade and the RI Office of Higher Education are preparing to compete for a new round of multiyear grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program,” he explained. “The federal grant funds total approximately $18 million over six years and must be matched by additional funds from the state and other sources. These investments from our partners will demonstrate that there is solid private support for The College Crusade’s GEAR UP program and help to make our grant application on behalf of RI students more competitive.”
Federal GEAR UP grants are awarded to states for a six-year period and then must be renewed. The College Crusade was among the first college-access organizations nationwide to receive a GEAR UP grant when the federal program was established in 1999. Since then, The College Crusade has brought $27.2 million in federal GEAR UP dollars to Rhode Island to help keep economically disadvantaged youth on the path to college. The College Crusade plans, staffs, and implements the Rhode Island GEAR UP program through a partnership with the RI Office of Higher Education.
“Funding from the federal GEAR UP program is an essential source of support for virtually every effort that our state makes to keep low-income and first-generation urban students on a path toward higher education,” said Ray M. Di Pasquale, RI Commissioner of Higher Education. “As such, this funding is integral not only to The College Crusade but also to the Office of Higher Education and to other entities as well. I can assure you that we take the competition for a new round of funding very seriously and that we will work very closely and collaboratively with The College Crusade in the preparation and submission of that application.”
In addition to the major funders noted above, many other philanthropic organizations contributed matching funds in support of The College Crusade’s programs last year. They include the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, Cox Charities, Textron Charitable Trust, MDRT Foundation, Verizon Foundation, Billy Andrade-Brad Faxon Charities for Children, Newport Coffee Traders (Autocrat, Inc.), and Weybossett Research & Management, LLC.
About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
Now celebrating its 20th year, The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves approximately 3,500 students per year and rewards their efforts and achievements with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $22 million in college scholarships to more than 2,800 graduates from Rhode Island high schools. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.
The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.
###
Contact:
Karen Donovan
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
