Bank of the West and DonorsChoose.org Team up to Support Local Teachers

SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West announced it will donate $500,000 to help fund classroom projects in public K-12 schools, through a new partnership effort with DonorsChoose.org.

During the 2009-2010 school year, U.S. teachers spent an average $360 of their own money for classroom supplies and resources, according to research released by the National School Supply and Equipment Association. Through the online charity DonorsChoose.org, Bank of the West will fund approximately 1,000 classroom projects across its footprint, providing much needed classroom materials to teachers and students.

Teachers are encouraged to sign up on DonorsChoose.org, so their classroom project can be recognized not only by Bank of the West, but by other community organizations and individuals who may wish to contribute to their efforts. Classroom projects on the DonorsChoose.org site include a broad range of needs, such as upgrading a classroom's technology with an interactive whiteboard, providing a kindergarten teacher safety goggles for science investigations, or supplying graphic calculators for a math class.

"Bank of the West recognizes that education and job training are critical elements for a vibrant, healthy community," said Rebeca Rangel, senior vice president for Community Affairs and head of Bank of the West's Corporate Philanthropy program. "We are proud to partner with our customers, team members and DonorsChoose.org to support our teachers who play a foundational role in creating brighter futures for children."

About DonorsChoose.org
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post requests, and individuals can give directly to the ones that inspire them. To date, 222,000 public and charter school teachers have used DonorsChoose.org to secure $108 million in books, art supplies, technology, and other resources that their students need to learn.

About Bank of the West
Founded in 1874, $62.4 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), member FDIC and equal housing lender, offers a full range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, one of the world's largest and best rated banks* with nearly 200,000 employees in 80 countries.

*Rated AA- by Standard & Poor's as of October 14, 2011.

SOURCE Bank of the West