Lincoln Financial Foundation Awards Million-Dollar Grant to Teach For America

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Lincoln Financial Foundation announced a $1 million grant over three years to Teach For America that will expand efforts to recruit new teachers with math and science expertise, and fund preparation and support to enhance these teachers' effectiveness. The grant will benefit Teach For America's national science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teacher-recruitment initiative, and includes grants for Teach For America's sites in Connecticut and Philadelphia, where Lincoln Financial has major offices. Additionally, the two organizations will partner to maximize the leadership and impact of Teach For America alumni in STEM education and to expand educational opportunities for students in underserved schools.

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Teach For America recruits, trains and supports top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in low-income urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the pursuit of educational equity. Nearly one-third of the organization's 9,000 corps members teach STEM subjects. This school year nearly 1,800 STEM teachers are impacting more than 130,000 students nationwide.

Lincoln Financial Foundation has sustained a strategic philanthropic program to improve the quality of life in the communities where the company maintains a significant business presence. By making education a priority, and specifically investing in initiatives that improve math and science skills, Lincoln Financial aims to increase high school graduation rates and college attendance.

Lincoln Financial Group President and CEO Dennis Glass commented, "There is substantial evidence that education is one of the most pressing issues in our country today. Too many Americans face significant hurdles when it comes to job readiness and economic self-sufficiency because they did not have access to quality schools, programs, teachers and mentors during their formative years. Teach For America helps to focus resources where they are most needed, creating a more solid foundation for future generations. At Lincoln, we have been committed for many years to expanding access to educational opportunities in our communities, and we are proud to join with Teach For America in this mission." 

According to the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress, even though math achievement scores are improving across the board, the gap between low-poverty and high-poverty students has remained about the same over the past decade. 

"We're grateful to Lincoln Financial for their support of Teach For America corps members and alumni who are working alongside so many others to end the disparities that exist in math and science education," said Wendy Kopp, founder and chief executive officer of Teach For America. "We are seeing an incredible moment of opportunity to enlist more top graduates with STEM degrees to bring their passion and commitment to our nation's urban and rural classrooms. Lincoln's partnership will help Teach For America seize this moment and inspire the next generation of leaders in math and science."

About Lincoln Financial Foundation

The Lincoln Financial Foundation, established in 1962, is a nonprofit organization formed and supported by Lincoln Financial Group. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. Under Lincoln Foundation guidelines, grants are made in the areas of education, human services, workforce/economic development and the arts. The Lincoln Foundation awards approximately $10 million annually to nonprofits in the communities where Lincoln Financial Group maintains a significant business presence. For more information visit http://www.LincolnFinancial.com/Foundation.

About Teach For America

Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Today, 9,000 corps members are teaching in 43 regions across the country, while nearly 24,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit http://www.teachforamerica.org.

SOURCE Lincoln Financial Foundation