Opportunity GrantED Annual Report 2020

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

Annual Report 2020 Dear Opportunity GrantED Family, What a year it’s been! In the summer of 2019, we were excitedly accepting applications for Opportunity GrandED’s Pilot Program. In one year, we’ve raised more than $45,000 to help more than 1500 students through 92 grants in support of underserved communities in the Chicago Public School system.  Thank you to everyone for bringing our dream to reality. From the dedicated teachers who participated in the Pilot Program and Spring Grant Cycle to the donors funding the requests, to the tireless volunteers helping with behind-the-scenes work, to planning and executing this winter’s amazing launch party -- we are so grateful. Opportunity GrantED exists because of our Grant Recipients, Donors, and Volunteers. Year in Review Pilot Program In August of 2019, Opportunity GrantED partnered with Richard Edwards Dual Language Fine & Performing Arts IB School on the southwest side of Chicago to pilot our first grant cycle. Fifty-six teachers applied for grants totaling more than $28,000. While Opportunity GrantED could not fund the entire grant ask, we proudly funded a portion of the items including, basic school supplies ranging from paper, pencils, and file folders to color printers, coding robots, and document cameras. Fundraising Shortly after our Pilot Program, our fundraising and communications efforts began with a press release and establishing a presence on social media platforms -- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Social media campaigns ran for Giving Tuesday and End of Year donations, which yielded a surge in generous contributions. In January 2020, Opportunity GrandED hosted an official launch party with close to 80 attendees. Planned by our fantastic host committee, Cara Andrus, Michele Coffey, Nicole Goven and Jenine Tubergen, guests enjoyed live music from Maggie Speaks, passed appetizers, cocktails, and listening to special guest, Humberto Andrade, 8th-grade dual language arts teacher from Richard Edwards Dual Language Fine & Performing Arts IB School. Mr. Andrade spoke of the teacher and student needs in underserved communities and the positive impact experienced by the grants from Opportunity GrantED. Through these combined fundraising efforts, Opportunity GrantED raised more than $45,000! Spring Grant Cycle March 1, 2020, marked the due date for applications for Opportunity GrantED’s inaugural Spring Grant Cycle. With more than 50 grant applications from four different schools, we are thrilled to report we were able to fund more than $12,000 worth of grants to 36 CPS teachers. Grant recipients hail from the Richard Edwards Dual Language Arts School and Rowe Elementary School. They received books, STEM equipment, flexible seating, markers, paints, toner, listening centers, flexible rooms, and sewing machines. Because of a slight delay due to Illinois’ shutdown in response to the COVID pandemic, teachers received their items in May. Some teachers chose to use the items to help support remote learning, while others plan to use their materials this fall when schools reopen. Thank You Donors With deep appreciation for our donors, Opportunity GrantED funded 92 grants. Donations up to $249 Patricia Ade Christina Blas Leah and Bill Bostrom Lindsey and Chad Bruso Pattie Bueschnel Gretchen and Rod Cappiello Cheryl Carpenter and Tom Stothoff Sue and Gary Carpenter Lisa Cohen Robin and Matt Cook Amanda and Jeff Doblin Anne and Matt Dutro Cecilia and Evan Gobdel Julia and Ben Goebel Kristin Hardy Mary Kate and Gabe Hatfield Pat and Stephanie Heraty Claire and Mitch Hoppenworth Lynsy and Steve Jacobs Elizabeth and Dave Jensen Lisa and Ralph Keipert Beth Kerr Aimee and Tyler Koski Ryan and Becky Leahy Alison and Rob Lisiak Medtronic Liz Lightbody and Paul Munsterman Maggie and Dan O’Brien Ben and Becca Peters Jake Peters George and Karen Rafeedie Matt Raftery Lisa and JD Rubin Fred Ruda The Shinners Charitable Fund Fred and Shauna Smith Kathy Stein Sukkot Shalom Robin and Craig Thompson Betsy and Chris Vankula Krystal and Jeremy Verstraete John and Helen Vidinovski Kelly and Andy Warner Amy and Steve Weir Brenda and Andrew Werth Donations of $250-$499 Cara and Carter Andrus Sarah and Will Black Melissa Bowie Steve and Carrie Fowler Brian and Meredith Gainer Deanna and Jeff Goldman Mary and Matt Kaczmarek Beata and Erich Kirr Pegasystems Molly Peters Marni and Michael Sheehan Matt and Sara Winstanley Michael Zuppone Donations of $500-$999 Laura and Tim Casey Janet Cowel Eric and Kim Simon Colleen and Joe Simpson Vanessa and Shane Smith Jenine and Owen Tubergen Laura and Krist Werling Donations of $1000-$4999 Erin and Michael Alvarez Bill and Sallie Bowie Jan Bowie Toby and Michele Coffey Cynthia and David Hughey Julie Montgomery Lisa and Rich Peters Scott and Missy Tannen The Truszkowski Family Foundation Donations of $5000 plus Kristen and Ryan Bowie William H. Bowie Foundation Nicole and Chad Goven Kim and Matt Peters Sarah Schmidt Teachers Appreciate Opportunity GrantED! “My grant from Opportunity GrantED provided wristbands and card displays for our gym class. These items are used frequently and have allowed the students to be more self-directed in the games we play.” Anthony Mendoza, Gym Teacher "The stools Opportunity GrantED provided for our library allows for students to use flexible seating to encourage collaborative projects, cultivating critical thinking, and problem-solving skills." Laura Gaytan, Librarian “Opportunity GrantED provided my students with a new printer and a ream of paper, which has allowed for more efficient use of classroom time. In addition to larger items like printers and technology equipment, our student population has a huge need for basic school supplies, including paper, pencils, poster board, charts for group activities, glue sticks, and art supplies.” Humberto Andrade, 8th-grade Dual Language Teacher   “I can’t imagine how much money I spend a year out of pocket in my classroom! The Magnatiles provided by Opportunity GrantED were an item I wouldn’t have been able to afford myself and served as a foundation to our geometry unit this fall. The Magnatiles created a hands-on learning experience, helping the children understand the lessons conceptually and provided lots of fun. Kids learn by having fun. Eager learners are better learners.” Ricardo Moreno, 12-year Veteran Math Teacher Plans for 2020/Covid Update During this unprecedented time, Opportunity GrantED sends our support and appreciation to educators and administrators working tirelessly to provide students with consistent and engaging learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.  By partnering with administrators from schools that received grants, and partnering with other local nonprofits, we are learning what is most needed during this time. To that end, we created a COVID-19 relief fund to address requests that span beyond the typical needs that classrooms in underserved communities already experience.