DonorsChoose.org Announces National Back-to-School Partnership with Burlington Stores

NEW YORK, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a survey by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, public school teachers spend $1.6 billion out of pocket each year for supplies and gear for their classrooms. To help alleviate these expenses and ensure that children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education, Burlington, your back to school destination for everything you need at up to 65% off department store prices every day, has teamed up with DonorsChoose.org. From July 1 to August 16, 2015, Burlington customers can help classrooms in need nationwide by making a donation to benefit DonorsChoose.org at check out.

DonorsChoose.org is an online national non-profit organization that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. U.S. public school teachers use the crowdfunding platform to request resources for a classroom project. Project needs range from basic supplies like pencils, markers, and paper, to more substantial requests like lab equipment, books, musical instruments and technology. Once a project reaches its funding goal, DonorsChoose.org sends the materials to the school.

Half of the public schools in America have at least one teacher who has posted a project on DonorsChoose.org, and 81 percent of funded projects are from high poverty schools. Since its inception in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has supplied classrooms with more than $330 million in educational materials and experiences, reaching 14 million students.

In advance of this new back-to-school partnership, Burlington has already funded 120 school projects, filtering over $83,000 into public schools, benefitting 12,673 students and 107 teachers. These activities benefitted classrooms located within communities surrounding the retailer's new grand opening spring locations.

"We are thrilled to have the support of Burlington Stores to help further our mission of making sure that children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education," said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. "The funds from Burlington will go a long way in providing teachers and their students with the supplies and resources they need most."

"Community is part of Burlington's heritage and we are excited to embark on a new partnership this back-to-school season to help improve the educational experiences of students nationwide," said Tom Kingsbury, chairman and CEO of Burlington Stores. "Together, with the generosity of our customers, we are confident that we will be able to significantly contribute to enriching the lives of students and their classrooms all across the country."

As a thank you for making a donation to DonorsChoose.org at Burlington locations, customers will receive a free 8x8 photo book from Shutterfly, where your photos come to life in photo books, cards and gifts. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/HelpAClassroom.

About Burlington Stores
Burlington is a national off-price retailer offering style for less at up to 65 percent off department store prices every day. Departments include ladies' dresses, suits, sportswear, juniors, accessories, menswear, family footwear and children's clothing. It also includes an assortment of furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home décor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington has 546 stores in 45 States and Puerto Rico. For more, visit www.BurlingtonStores.com.

About DonorsChoose.org
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. At this nonprofit website, teachers at over half of all the public schools in America have created project requests, and more than 1.7 million people have donated $330 million to projects that inspire them. All told, 14 million students—most from low-income communities, and many in disaster-stricken areas—have received books, art supplies, field trips, technology, and other resources that they need to learn.

Media Contacts:

Katie Bisbee
DonorsChoose.org
(212) 239-3615, Ext. 259
[email protected]

Lauren Flanagan
M Booth (on behalf of Burlington)
(212) 539-3248
[email protected]

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SOURCE DonorsChoose.org