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mindSpark Learning Recognizes Milestones of $1M Grant for Education
[August 15, 2018]

mindSpark Learning Recognizes Milestones of $1M Grant for Education


mindSpark Learning, a non-profit dedicated to re-engineering education through educators with unique professional learning experiences for both the school leader and teacher, announced today its $1 Million Grant for Education has impacted 4,253 educators from 78 schools across the country since its launch on January 25, 2018. On average, 73% of applications are accepted.

To date, mindSpark Learning has awarded $244,555 to 82 applicants. The Morgridge Family Foundation donated $1 million to create this grant in partnership with mindSpark Learning. More than $400,000 in matching funds have been provided by local businesses, foundations or other philanthropic entities, individuals, or the schools or districts themselves. These donated and matched funds enable mindSpark Learning to offer its institutes, professional development, and education accelerator programs to interested educators, schools and districts for half the price that they would normally cost.

Grant award amounts have ranged between $23,000 for district-wide professional learning and $545 for individual institute tickets. Most recently, these funds brought Social-emotional Learning (SEL) Training to 700 educators in Washington County, Virginia, and a six-month Education Accelerator (EA) to 24 preschool and daycare providers in Dunnellon, Florida.

"Technology and automation are changing workforce dynamics. To better prepare for this, it's more important than ever that students fine tune their creativity, critical thinking, leadership, emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills," said mindSpark CEO Kellie Lauth. "We are thrilled to offer support and professional development to educators who are as passionate as we are about creating thefoundation students need to succeed."



"Both the Morgridge Family Foundation and mindSpark Learning are on a mission to re-engineer education and enable teachers to innovate in their classroom," said mindSpark Learning Board Chair and Vice President of Morgridge Family Foundation Carrie Morgridge. "We're proud to support professional development and offer continued training to those shaping future generations."

Educators can apply for the $1 Million for Education Grant through September 20, 2018. Any awarded funds must be used by May 31, 2019. The application takes 10 minutes to complete and can be filed online at www.1milliondollarsforeducation1.org. Organizations interested in supporting educators through matching grant funds, externships and internships can visit this website.


For questions on the grant or matching funds, please contact Jeanette Ryan at (303) 799-8560 or [email protected].

About mindSpark Learning

mindSpark Learning, a Denver-based non-profit founded as Share Fair Nation in 2007 and rebranded in 2017, is the catalyst and intermediary between education and industry. It is dedicated to evolving education through educators and mobilizing diverse communities to create sustained economies. mindSpark Learning leads programs and services designed to help schools understand workforce development, participate in work-based learning experiences, foster career literacy and directly connect students to mentors and authentic opportunities at a young age. Its core areas of focus are critical to today's education landscape and include STEM, EdTech, Social-emotional learning (SEL) and Equity-centered Design Thinking. These lay the foundation for skills that are inherently necessary for career success.

mindSpark Learning is re-engineering education by incorporating the voice of community leaders in a variety of fields - from education, to industry, to government. Since 2017, it has served more than 13,074 professionals in education, industry and government in more than ten states. For more information, please visit www.mymindsparklearning.org.


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