Foundations Invest Nearly $2.5 Million In Southern Dallas School Choice
New funding allows KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth to open two new schools in 2015-2016 school year within larger plan to serve 5,000 students in the next few years
DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth (KIPP DFW) announced today new funding from Simmons Family Foundation, Hamon Charitable Foundation and The Rees-Jones Foundation that will allow the organization to progress on its plan to expand to a total of 10 schools educating Pre-K – 12th grade students in southern Dallas by 2020. KIPP DFW feels a sense of urgency to provide high-quality education options to the students and families of southern Dallas. Currently conducting a 23 million dollar campaign, KIPP DFW will expand to 10 campuses by 2020, serving 5,000 students when fully enrolled.
"Philanthropic support from the community has been central to the growth of KIPP DFW and our goal to provide more high-quality classroom seats in southern Dallas," said KIPP DFW Executive Director Quinton Vance. "Two new schools will enable us to nearly double the amount of students we are educating by the start of the new school year."
Simmons Family Foundation announced they have awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to support the growth of KIPP DFW's high-performing charter school network. Simmons Family Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life of all members of the Dallas community. The foundation supports programs that promote human dignity, a safe and enriching environment, and comprehensive support systems for individuals, children, and families.
"The Simmons Family Foundation is excited to see KIPP expanding in our area, after establishing its roots here for the past 11 years," said Serena Simmons Connelly, Simmons Family Foundation Director of Philanthropy. "It was an easy decision to invest in KIPP's proven track record of success with children, especially in the least-served areas of southern Dallas."
For the second year in a row, KIPP DFW also received a significant contribution from the Hamon Charitable Foundation. The $750,000 will be used to fuel KIPP DFW's expansion plan. The Hamon Charitable Foundation has been an influential philanthropic leader in Dallas for several decades, giving meaningful contributions to educational, social and medical causes.
"The Hamon Charitable Foundation recognizes the need for quality primary education in Dallas County, particularly in the southern sector," said Kelly Roach, president of the Hamon Charitable Foundation. "The latest pledge represents our continued confidence in KIPP and its mission to provide enhanced educational opportunities and choices for the students of the area."
The Rees-Jones Foundation announced they have awarded a three-year, $725,000 grant to support KIPP DFW's character-focused education. The Rees-Jones Foundation is passionate about leveraging their resources to achieve life-transforming outcomes and to foster a community of resilient youth and families.
"We are inspired by KIPP's commitment to teach children life lessons that will not only enhance academic performance but also build character," said Thornton Hardie, President of The Rees-Jones Foundation. "KIPP teachers do more than instruct; they model strong character and by seeing what it looks like in their teachers, students learn the benefits of hard work, persistence, resilience, integrity, personal responsibility, the pursuit of excellence, and leadership through service and compassion."
"The generosity of the Hamon Charitable Foundation, Simmons Family Foundation and The Rees-Jones Foundation is monumental for the future of southern Dallas," said Peter Brodsky, KIPP DFW Board Chair. "These investments allow KIPP DFW to play a crucial role in providing the next generation of southern Dallas with the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to succeed in life, and ultimately catalyzing systemic change in southern Dallas through education."
About KIPP DFW
KIPP DFW is part of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), a national network of 162 free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools serving more than 59,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP DFW is currently comprised of two public charter schools serving elementary and middle school students within its charter area of 16 zip codes in the southern Dallas region. With high expectations for students and an extended school day and year, KIPP DFW builds a partnership among parents, students, and teachers that puts learning first and helps students achieve choice-filled lives. For more information, visit www.kippdfw.org.
SOURCE KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth
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