A for Arizona Launches Statewide Expansion Fund With Generous Support From The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The first-of-its-kind statewide fund is designed to help Arizona's best district, magnet, and charter schools expand to serve more students, especially those serving low-income communities.
PHOENIX, Aug. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A for Arizona is proud to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind, statewide Expansion Fund to support the growth of Arizona's highest quality district, magnet and charter schools, especially those serving low-income communities. The campaign is being jump started by a $1 million matching grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation – the match opportunity will run through December 31.
"By rewarding top performers, A for Arizona is raising the standard for public education in our state," said American entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. "Too often children in low-income areas are not provided with an opportunity to achieve their full academic potential. The Expansion Fund is specifically designed to reach these students by supporting educational excellence in underserved communities."
Arizona is home to many excellent schools with educators who believe every student can learn. However, not all students have access to a high-quality public school option. A for Arizona's Expansion Fund will fast-track the replication of 'A'-rated public schools so that Arizona can more quickly close the achievement gap for all students.
"The Expansion Fund is agnostic to public school model, but we are unapologetic about keeping the quality bar high. The fact is, great schools do indeed exist, and many seek to grow," said Emily Anne Gullickson, A for Arizona Executive Director. "We are grateful to have Bob and Renee's support. Their investment will help us provide targeted grants to 'A'-rated public schools who are working to accelerate quality in our most at-need communities."
In addition to the $1 million match, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation granted $250,000 to A for Arizona to support staffing and development during the crucial first phase of the Expansion Fund. A longtime supporter of the organization, the recent grants bring the Foundation's total support of A for Arizona to more than $1.7 million.
"A quality education is a critical component in the fight against poverty," said businesswoman and philanthropist Renee Parsons. "A for Arizona is making it possible for children in disadvantaged communities to access the educational tools necessary to begin building a better future for themselves and their families."
Any 'A'-rated public school in Arizona will be eligible to apply to receive a grant from the A for Arizona Expansion Fund, but priority will be given to applicants showing demonstrated need, including expansion into high poverty communities, parent demand and lack of quality school options in targeted neighborhoods. A for Arizona will begin accepting applications from interested schools this October. Learn more about A for Arizona's Expansion Fund at AforAZ.org/Expansion-Fund and follow the progress of the Expansion Fund Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AforArizona, and Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/AforArizona.
About A for Arizona
A for Arizona seeks to rapidly expand the number of low-income students in the highest quality schools. As a self-contained initiative within the Arizona Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, A for Arizona is the only statewide organization in Arizona that invests significant resources into expansion of high-performing low-income public schools and develops policy ideas to support and accelerate this work. Find out more at http://www.aforaz.org or follow us on social media @AforArizona.
About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country's most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation's giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.
About the Arizona Chamber Foundation
The Arizona Chamber Foundation is a non-profit, objective educational and research foundation. We are committed to a non-partisan, research-driven approach that analyzes the issues impacting Arizona's economy. It houses the A for Arizona and Chamber Business News initiatives. Find out more at http://www.azchamberfoundation.org.
SOURCE A for Arizona
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