Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) August 21, 2012
Budget cuts have, for years, diminished the amount of funding available to educational programs across the country. Students and faculty members have felt the sting of departmental downsizing, as well as the all out elimination of elective and artistic courses in some very severe cases. As such, many schools are turning to alternative sources of funding to keep their programs running. The Huffington Post reports that Target, a popular retailer, is showing its support through the new Give With Target initiative. Stacey Franklin Jones, a higher education executive, applauds the efforts of Target and encourages other organizations to take similar action.
Give With Target hopes to raise $1 billion for schools across the country by the year 2015. The program is unique in that it does not require consumers to spend money to assist in the initiative’s success. Instead, it leverages the power of social media by encouraging Facebook users to vote on the school of their choice. Each individual is allotted one vote per week. For every 25 votes that a school receives it will earn a $25 Target gift card (although the maximum amount each school can receive is $10,000).
Target gift cards will contribute greatly to the cost of school supplies, as teachers can use them to purchase paper, pens, pencils, and other items for their classrooms. But these are not the only mode of funding that Target offers. The company is prepared to distribute $5 million. The first $2.5 million of this donation is slated to be given in increments of $25,000 to 100 schools that are in need of the funding.
Stacey Franklin Jones, who is a leader in the educational industry and understands the dire need of funding that many K-12 schools face, is encouraging individuals to take advantage of the opportunity that Target is providing.
“Our nation’s schools and colleges must explore new revenue models to advance,” asserts Stacey Franklin Jones, “and in some cases to survive. Target’s efforts, which leverage social media and recognize the fact that many families cannot afford to contribute, financially, to the success of local schools, is a promising step.”
By voting for their schools, community members can make a major impact on the ability of these educational facilities to procure the supplies they need to create an effective learning environment.
ABOUT:
Stacey Franklin Jones is a seasoned higher education and corporate leader who has developed a strong background in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). An education administration professional, Stacey Franklin Jones has acted in numerous leadership roles and remains dedicated to the success of students. Stacey Franklin Jones strives to enhance the ability of educational organizations to offer cutting-edge opportunities, allowing students to thrive in today’s competitive work environment.