Staples Supports 214 Classrooms with Think It Up

Staples, Inc. announced that it funded 214 local classroom projects in the Boston, Cambridge and Metrowest communities, as part of its recent $10 million pledge to Think it Up™, a new national initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that seeks to inaugurate a new movement in support of students, teachers and schools, creating a culture of excitement about learning everywhere in America.

This fall, Think It Up, in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, will launch a platform to fund student-powered, teacher-led learning projects in classrooms across the country.

Red Sox Pitcher and Think It Up ambassador Joe Kelly attended the announcement in support of Boston’s students and teachers. “It’s great knowing this generous donation will help make meaningful learning projects happen in classrooms throughout the Boston area, thanks to Think It Up, DonorsChoose.org, and Staples’ commitment to supporting students,” Kelly said.

Since its founding in 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped fund more than 236,000 classroom projects for teachers and impacted more than 14 million students.

In the Greater Boston area, Staples fully funded every project on DonorsChoose.org in Boston Public Schools, Cambridge Public Schools and MetroWest communities.

More than $204,000 was donated to help 173 teachers fulfill classroom needs and helped 14,063 students across 85 schools in the Greater Boston area.

“We’re thrilled to fund all of the projects in the Boston, Cambridge and Metrowest communities and to work with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Think It Up initiative and DonorsChoose.org to ensure classrooms have the supplies and resources they need,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online marketing, Staples, in a press release. “Through our Staples for Students program, we’re proud to build on our rich history of supporting education with our $10 million pledge to Think It Up that will make a difference in America’s classrooms.”

A recent survey conducted by Staples found almost three-quarters of parents agree that teachers in their communities inspire their students.

Additionally, the survey revealed that 76 percent agree that a lack of school supplies is a significant challenge for schools today. Most teachers spend more than $400 of their own money each year to provide supplies and materials for their classrooms.

“We are so grateful to Staples for their support of teachers and students through Think It Up,” said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org, in a statement. “Their incredible gesture today will ensure that Boston teachers won’t have to dig as deep into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies, and that students will have the materials they need to start the school year right.”

The flash funding in the Greater Boston area is part of Staples’ $10 million pledge to Think It Up which will inspire students to pursue their passions by working on collaborative learning projects.

“EIF is truly grateful to Staples for joining Think It Up as its lead corporate donor, and helping the Boston, Cambridge and Metrowest communities get the school year off to a terrific start illustrates how deeply committed the company is to ensuring students and teachers have what they need to create learning experiences that make a genuine impact and prepare students for future success,” said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

Headquartered in Framingham, Staples operates in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Staples has a long history of supporting students, teachers and classrooms. Staples for Students is an ongoing campaign that helps students and teachers with the school supplies and essential items needed for a successful education. The Staples for Students campaign includes school supply donations, support for teachers in classrooms, donations for education projects, classroom initiatives and the sale of products that give back to communities and classrooms in need.

Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. At this nonprofit website, teachers at half of all the public schools in America have created project requests and more than a million people have donated $330 million to projects that inspire them. All told, over 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.