October 29, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
The goal: Raise money to accommodate the flood of young college graduates — some 42 percent more than usual — who applied to work this year as teachers with the education charity.
The strategy: Teach for America approached family foundations, individuals, and other loyal supporters and asked them to help build a $50-million “growth fund” for the additional teachers.
The results: The group brought in $80-million. Lily Rager, executive vice president for growth, strategy and development, says demand by applicants made fund raising relatively easy. Donors were “just as excited as we were” to learn how the recession was prompting more young people to consider careers in teaching, she says.
— Caroline Preston
