Posted by John Sullivan at 11:38:46 AM Thu 09/02/2010
Manchester Center, VT, September 1, 2010 -
Your votes are needed to help Digital Wish make the technology wishes
of over 500 classrooms come true. In order to win the funding required
to see these wishes realized, Digital Wish must generate the most votes
in the month of September and finish as one of the top two $250,000
awardees onwww.refresheverything.com/digitalwish.
If Digital Wish wins, US classrooms win! The classrooms that generate
the most votes for Digital Wish will be awarded total classroom
technology makeovers valued at $10,000. Supporters are encouraged to
vote every day throughout the month of September.
Every teacher’s profile on Digital Wish contains a direct link to the Pepsi Refresh site.Teachers are encouraged to invite their parent and student networks to visit
their Digital Wish profile and follow the voting link to the Pepsi
Refresh site. We count every vote. The more votes teachers generate
through their Digital Wish profile, the better chance they will have to
see their biggest classroom technology dreams fulfilled!
The three teachers who garner the most votes throughout the month of
September will receive $10,000 total classroom technology makeovers.
The four teachers with the next highest amount of votes will have their
wishes of up to $5,000 fulfilled. After that, 100 teachers will receive $500
worth of technology wishes, and 400 more educators will receive $250 worth of technology
wishes. These wishes will be fulfilled using technology from
Digital Wish’s extensive online catalog. With multiple exclusive deals
with leading technology manufacturers, Digital Wish is the premiere
source for educational technology.
These 507 classrooms will only have their wishes fulfilled if Digital Wish
ranks in the top two for the month of September on Pepsi Refresh. If
you would like to help Digital Wish’s cause, you can either vote for
them directly at www.PepsiRefresh.com/DigitalWish, or you can visit the Digital Wish homepage atwww.digitalwish.org to find your favorite teacher and help them win their classroom
technology wish by clicking on the Pepsi Refresh button from their
profile. One vote is allowed per day, so return often to help Digital
Wish and your favorite classroom receive new technology.
According to Digital Wish’s Founder and Executive Director Heather Chirtea,
“Every classroom teacher has a huge network of parents and students who
care about technology. If even a handful of people from those networks
vote, Digital Wish will be able to enhance learning for thousands of
students nationwide. These fulfilled wishes will spark a wave of
technological upgrades and inspire teachers to refresh their
curriculum.”
Digital Wish hopes back-to-school excitement will fuel their campaign with
fresh energy and propel them to victory. “We couldn’t have asked for a
better time to be campaigning for this project than right now,” said
Chirtea. “This could start the school year off right for many
classrooms that suffer from a shortfall of new technology.”
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to solve technology shortfalls in
American classrooms. Educators build technology wish lists and describe
how each resource will be utilized. Classroom stories are posted
online, for review by any donor. Teachers can fundraise for technology
or browse a free lesson plan library to find curriculum ideas. Digital
Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs
for schools, and matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in
funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 01:05:01 PM Thu 05/20/2010
Digital Wish is proud to be a part of the Vermont Council on Rural Development team helping to increase community broadband usage throughout the state of Vermont. Our goal is to effectively manage the education initiative, stimulating increased broadband use throughout the state by implementing 1:1 computing in area schools.
MONTPELIER, VT – e-Vermont is a new $4 million initiative to help rural Vermont towns take full advantage of the Internet and advance a wide variety of local needs including economic development, school innovation, job creation, downtown marketing, community engagement, and e-commerce.Two dozen communities statewide will be selected to work with the new e-Vermont Partnership in a comprehensive effort combining online services, training, access, awareness, and planning.
By reaching the bedrocks of Vermont communities—schools, businesses, municipal government, libraries, health and social services groups—e-Vermont will promote new collaborative efforts for identifying and implementing previously untapped resources and help our towns fully realize the potential of the digital age.
The e-Vermont project will learn from each of the selected towns and share these best practices in the uses of digital tools through symposia and conferences statewide.
e-Vermont is supported by a $2.5 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Additional support comes from the Evslin Family Foundation, Vermont Community Foundation, the Jan and David Blittersdorf Foundation, UVM’s Center for Rural Studies, the Vermont Rural Partnership and by donated services and equipment from Dell, Microsoft, and Comcast.
Key to this major campaign is the new “e-Vermont Partnership” led by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). VCRD is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the locally-defined progress of Vermont's rural communities.
In addition to VCRD, the e-Vermont Partnership is made up of the Vermont State Colleges, the Vermont Department of Libraries, the Vermont Department of Public Service, Vermont Small Business Development Center, the Snelling Center for Government, Front Porch Forum, Digital Wish, Evslin Family Foundation and Vermont Community Foundation.
Local committees in participating towns will work with VCRD staff and the e-partners to customize a two year plan from a menu of programs and services such as:
- e-government - training and consultation on podcasting, on-line meetings, community scheduling, website development.
- Front Porch Forums that link neighbors to each other and to local services Computer equipment and enhancement of e-services in libraries.
- Free Netbook computers for 4-5th graders and extensive teacher training to imbed technology in the curriculum.
- Specialized classes ranging from basic computer literacy to advanced applications to meet the range of community and business needs.
- e-commerce classes and one-to-one counseling for local businesses.
- Building community calendars, business directories, buy-local maps, arts and crafts tours, sports schedules, ride shares, and a variety of new locally-driven digital applications.
- Expanding on-line computer health information and opportunities.
- Expanding the use of web-based tools to facilitate community engagement and advance locally-designed initiatives.
“The federal stimulus money provides a tremendous opportunity for Vermonters to ensure that our communities take full advantage of broadband technology, including advancing the bottom line of our businesses,” said VCRD Executive Director Paul Costello.
Vermont’s congressional delegates have been strong supporters of the e-Vermont concept. Senator Leahy pointed out: "The impact of e-Vermont will yield both short-term and long-term community development benefits, creating new jobs, educating children and using technology to improve Vermonters' lives."
e-Vermont partners worked closely with Vermont’s stimulus office through the application process. According to Governor Douglas, "This effort is a key part of the SmartVermont strategy. In order to reach our goals in e-Education, e-Health, e-government, and e-Energy, we need to remove all obstacles to Internet use for Vermonters. Even when the problem of access is solved, other challenges like lack of equipment and training remain.”
Municipal leaders and other local organizations that are interested in having their towns apply should contact Margaret Gibson McCoy at VCRD at 802-223-6091 or by email at info@vtrural.org. Details on the application process are posted at www.vtrural.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 10:17:06 AM Thu 05/06/2010
When Dozier Elementary relocated back to their school plant in August of 2009, goals were set to help the school begin rebuilding by acquiring digital cameras, attaining computers and software and gaining flip cameras for the school. Through months of work, some of their set goals are surfacing, showing that “digital wishes” can come true!
On Friday, April 23rd, Dozier teachers and students experienced a double surprise for their technology program. The morning began at a faculty meeting when Robert Vincent, President of the 4th of July Association was on hand to donate $1000 to a classroom teacher for technology. Chosen for the classroom donation was 5th grade teacher, Suzette Stutes. The criteria used in the selection was (a) student use of technology in her classroom the past few years (b) maintaining an OnCourse web page and her own website (c) a need for updated computers (d) Professional Development (LaTel Course and more). With the donation, three CPU’s were purchased and one flat screen monitor. Dozier Elementary teachers then picked up money amongst themselves and her “Dozier” friends were able to give Stutes an additional five flat screen monitors. With the 3 CPU’s she currently had, the three additional CPU’s and the six new flat screen monitors, Stutes now has a complete set up of six updated computers. In addition to the computers, Suzette Stutes recently learned that she won Digital Wish Novel Writing Grant, which offers $1000 of software. The Tool Factory network license can be used by the entire school.
About an hour later, KATC TV 3 news crew visited Dozier Elementary to share student digital cameras purchased through the “Tools for Schools” program. Through Borden and Home Bank, the school was given 3 digital student cameras and 2 flip cameras. KATC TV 3 was able to easily purchase the cameras through the Digital Wish Foundation on Dozier Elementary’s website. On hand to make the donation were KATC TV 3 Reporter Tracy Wiertz, cameramen Jude Chiasson and John Melancon. Dale Soileau and Elsie from Borden and Jennifer LeMeunier from Home Bank were all present for the “Schools for Tools” presentation. Lori Porter’s 4th grade and Amy Champagne’s 1st grade classrooms were visited.
With other community and parent donations, Digital Wish has connected parent and community donations as well. With additional cash donations, earmarked for the school, purchased were two more student cameras and accessories for all five new cameras. (Memory cards, bags, chargers and mini tripods.) With the one flip camera already in the school, they now have three flip cameras for student projects and five student digital cameras as well.
Parents have also generously donated both software and cash to the school through Digital Wish. Digital Wish is a foundation that matches schools, teachers and donors. At this time Stacy Broussard, Lori Porter, Maleigha Viator, Jennifer Toups and Jenny Domingues have received cash donations. In addition to one parent purchased five computer licenses of “Reading for Meaning” software for Jennifer Toups classes and six licenses for math software for Maleigha Viator’s students.
Principal Karla Toups and Assistant Principal Natalie Hebert and the teachers are appreciative of all donations. They encourage anyone interested in helping to look at the Digital Wish link on their website @ http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/dozier. Tech Specialist and volunteer Stacy Bodin stated “with upcoming budget cuts here, any help with the technology program would be appreciated.” Bodin also stated that “upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2nd-8th) would be an opportune time use the Digital Wish program to help the teachers.”
With a total of over $4000 of technology items donated to the school since they their launched their Digital Wish/Technology Campaign” in February, it is obvious that Dozier Elementary now believes that “digital wishes can really come true!”
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 03:46:13 PM Tue 04/27/2010
Portland, Oregon, April 27, 2010 — BLi Education Ltd. has expanded its operations to include new offices in the US. Headquartered in Portland, OR, “the opening of our US offices under the name Sherston America will provide innovative educational tools used by thousands of schools around the world to students throughout the US. We look forward to making a difference in the lives of American students, as we have done for more than 25 years in the UK,” says CEO Andrew Foyle.
With the opening of its offices, Sherston America announces a new partnership with Digital Wish to award 50 software grants to elementary and middle school teachers. The grants will provide 50 recipients copies of either BBC Science Simulations 3 or Alphabet Track to support the integration of technology into science and reading classrooms.
BBC Science Simulations 3 challenges students ages 9-12 to explore the world of science by running simulated experiments. After selecting variables and control times, students can view the results of their experiments as animations and/or dynamically generated tables, graphs, and diagrams. ‘Questions’ mode provides a series of focused questions based on the simulation to promote analysis. Students then have the opportunity to manipulate the variables and observe different results. Seven interactive simulations are provided, including: Exercise and Health, Plant Germination and Growth, Food Webs, Forces and Friction, Changes of State, Electrical Circuits, and Light and Shadows. Teacher controls allow you to configure the access to specific simulations, questions, and graphs, as well as enter multi-simulation mode for side-by-side comparisons. Perfect for whiteboards!
Alphabet Track is the second program in the five part On Track series of research-based software designed to teach students the basics of fluency. Award-winning Alphabet Track uses and reinforces the familiar alphabet arc format used by many structured, multi-sensory programs to teach emerging readers and learners with dyslexia. Alphabet Track encourages users to learn the order of the alphabet and to locate and place each letter in the alphabet quickly and consistently. Recording pupils’ or teachers' voices when reciting the alphabet provides auditory reinforcement. Alphabet Track improves visual and auditory sequential memory, encourages concentration skills, and increases keyboard awareness. All products in the On Track series are switch compatible.
To apply for these grants, visit Digital Wish and upload a unique lesson plan idea for the software. Winners will be selected based on need and asked to close the grant by submitting a brief description of their experience with the software. Winners will be selected May 28, 2010. Visit www.digitalwish.org
About Sherston America
For over two decades Sherston has been one of the UK's leading providers of educational software, with content covering every part of the curriculum. Its award winning software and outstanding reputation have been built by providing schools with innovative, engaging products based on sound educational theory. Sherston America is a part of the BLi Education Ltd. www.sherstonamerica.com
About Digital Wish
Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Digital Wish promotes the early adoption of technology in schools by providing a platform for teachers and educators to develop technology wish lists, share project plans, collaborate on best practices, and purchase technology in a cost-effective manner. By streamlining and targeting the process of giving, Digital Wish allows large and small-scale donors to directly impact their local schools. www.digitalwish.org
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 10:02:38 AM Thu 04/22/2010
Manchester Center, VT, April 22, 2010- Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, Digital Wish and Cartridges for Kids have teamed up to launch Recycle Forward, a national green initiative that raises money for schools by recycling small electronics, cell phones, and ink cartridges.
This Earth Day, we invite businesses, community members, and schools nationwide to sign up at www.recycleforwardnow.org and start recycling electronics to reduce hazardous waste and raise money for our schools’ technology funds to help our children succeed in a global community. Digital Wish also donates an additional 2-10% back to a school after each purchase, making fundraised dollars stretch even further.
How does the program work? Anyone can register for free at recycleforwardnow.org to start a campaign for local schools. Step-by-step instructions and print-ready marketing materials are available online for an easy-to-implement campaign. If you are a business, simply place a drop box in your lobby and encourage employee participation. Individuals can ask local businesses to do the same and collect items for the campaign. Free shipping labels can be printed online, making it simple to send in your collected items. Fundraised money will build in an online account to distribute to classrooms of your choice. Your favorite schools will be able to use the funding on Digital Wish to purchase brand new classroom technology.
Recycle Forward is a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to contribute to their favorite schools’ technology funds while reducing electronic waste and spreading eco-awareness. Anyone can register for free and run a Recycle Forward campaign. Sign up today at www.recycleforwardnow.org.
About Cartridges for Kids Cartridges for Kids is a recycling program that pays schools cash for cell phones, laser/inkjet cartridges, laptops, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, video games & consoles, DVDs, and GPS devices.
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Digital Wish promotes the early adoption of technology in schools by providing a platform for teachers and educators to develop technology wish lists, share project plans, collaborate on best practices, and purchase technology in a cost-effective manner. By streamlining and targeting the process of giving, Digital Wish allows large and small-scale donors to directly impact their local schools. www.digitalwish.org
Program Contact: Lindsay McFillin, Development Manager E-mail: Lindsay@digitalwish.org Phone: 802-375-6721 x209
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Digital Wish Support at 01:39:58 PM Thu 03/18/2010
Manchester Center, VT, March 17, 2010- Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, Digital Wish and Cartridges for Kids have teamed up to launch Recycle Forward, a new program that allows schools to raise money for technology, by recycling cell phones, used electronics, and ink cartridges. Participating schools can set up a community-wide recycling campaign to collect used equipment from parents and local businesses. 100% of the money earned, is automatically matched with another 2%-10% in funding on Digital Wish to make teacher’s classroom technology wishes come true!
How does the program work? Schools and community members can register for free at www.recyclforwardnow.org. It only takes a few minutes to organize a campaign. Recycle Forward provides all the resources necessary to promote and run a successful recycling drive in any community. Just print posters, set up a collection box, and circulate flyers to publicize the drop location. Pre-paid shipping labels are provided to participants to ship items directly to Cartridges for Kids for processing. All of the money earned from recycling drive will automatically appear in the school’s Digital Wish account.
Recycle Forward streamlines the fundraising process so that 100% of the schools’ funding can be used to purchase new technology directly on Digital Wish, like an online bank account. It doesn’t cost anything to participate, the shipping labels are free, and Digital Wish donates an additional 2-10% back to the classroom after each purchase, stretching fundraising dollars even further.
Schools and individual classrooms are invited to register and run a Recycle Forward campaign. To learn more please visit: www.recycleforwardnow.org.
About Cartridges for Kids
Cartridges for Kids is a recycling program that pays schools cash for cell phones, laser/inkjet cartridges, laptops, digital cameras, iPods, PDAs, video games & consoles, DVDs and GPS devices.
About Digital Wish
Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Digital Wish promotes the early adoption of technology within schools by providing a platform for teachers and educators to develop wish lists, share project plans, collaborate on best practices, and purchase technology in a cost-effective manner. And by streamlining and targeting the process of giving, Digital Wish allows large and small-scale donors to directly impact their local schools. www.digitalwish.org
Media Contact: Lindsay McFillin, Development Manager
E-mail: Lindsay@digitalwish.org
Phone: 484-903-9594 X-209
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 10:56:10 AM Tue 02/02/2010
Funds Will Help Bring More Technology to K-12 Classrooms Across the U.S.
NEW YORK- Doing IT for Good (DITFG), the corporate philanthropy platform of strategic advisory firm Landmark Ventures, today announces Digital Wish as the 2010 beneficiary of a $50,000 financial and consulting grant. Digital Wish is an online forum where teachers can find funding for their technology wish lists, and communities can engage with local schools with the goal of modernizing K-12 classrooms with technology and preparing students for tomorrow's workforce.
“The selection of Digital Wish provides a unique opportunity for the DITFG network to apply its expertise and thought leadership to support a promising organization at a critical stage of development”
DITFG focuses on leveraging Landmark’s experience and relationships across the technology and financial sectors toward the support of deserving nonprofits. The program aims to encourage new methods of corporate social responsibility and increase the social impact of Landmark’s company, community and network.
“The selection of Digital Wish provides a unique opportunity for the DITFG network to apply its expertise and thought leadership to support a promising organization at a critical stage of development,” said Landmark Ventures General Partner Zeev Klein. “And through their work of connecting teachers and corporations to bring technology into local classrooms, working with Digital Wish will allow us to support an extensive underserved community of thousands of K-12 students.”
“We are very thankful to Doing IT for Good for selecting Digital Wish as the grant recipient. We currently have more than 116,000 schools listed on Digital Wish, 26,037 educators and donor registrants from all 50 states, and source over 700 technology products from 54 vendors. This grant will help us increase these numbers and strengthen our foundation so we can continue to help today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Digital Wish Founder and Executive Director Heather Chirtea.
About Landmark Ventures/DITFG
Founded in 2007 by Landmark Ventures, Doing IT for Good uses a unique model combining financial grants, network building, and ongoing organizational assistance to promote corporate social responsibility within the technology arena. Landmark Ventures is a leading strategic advisory firm offering a unique combination of venture development and global investment banking services, with a focus on serving growth oriented technology companies and their venture capital and private equity sponsors. www.landmarkventures.com
About Digital Wish
Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Digital Wish promotes the early adoption of technology within schools by providing a platform for teachers and educators to develop wish lists, share project plans, collaborate on best practices, and purchase technology in a cost-effective manner. And by streamlining and targeting the process of giving, Digital Wish allows large and small-scale donors to directly impact their local schools. www.digitalwish.org
Contacts
For Landmark Ventures Meredith Smith, 408-892-0574 Meredith@blendr-media.com
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 01:41:14 PM Mon 12/07/2009
MANCHESTER CENTER, Vt., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This holiday season give the gift of technology to teachers in your local school and Digital Wish will match your gift with additional funding.
Here's how it works! Teachers register for free at www.digitalwish.org and create a personalized classroom profile. They then go shopping and create wish lists of technology items they need for the classroom such as SMART Boards, Dell Netbooks and Flip Video Camcorders and describe how each item will benefit the students and improve the learning experience.
Individual donors, corporations or fundraising groups can go to Digital Wish and search for classrooms based upon location, interests or by browsing the feature teacher section. Here you can read about the classroom and its needs and purchase an item for the class or donate a dollar amount to help fundraise for the item. Once a technology item is purchased, Digital Wish will match additional funding to go back into the classroom's account to purchase other items on their wish list.
Digital Wish also works with national technology partners to grant technology to schools or to offer other matching programs. John Lintner recently took advantage of a matching program and donated 24 Flip Video Camcorders to his children's elementary school for the price of 12. "Through the site I was able to contribute more than double the amount of cameras than my budget would have previously allowed," Lintner said. "I would recommend Digital Wish to other donors for the same reasons why I used the site: it's convenient, easy and you know how your money is going to be spent."
To learn more about Digital Wish and how you can donate to your school visit www.digitalwish.org. If your school isn't registered or a teacher does not have a wish list, Digital Wish can help you create a personalized donation to the school of your choice.
Digital Wish, a national non-profit working to bring technology into the classroom, is giving the power of the donor to choose exactly which classroom will benefit from their generosity this season. If you are looking for a creative way to give to your children's classroom or local community Digital Wish never takes any fees off of your donations and will match any technology purchase with an additional 2-10% in funding, making your holiday gift feel larger.
CONTACT: Lindsay McFillin of Digital Wish, +1-802-375-6721 Ext. 209, lindsay@digitalwish.org
SOURCE Digital Wish
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Digital Wish Support at 04:00:35 PM Mon 11/09/2009
Flip Video is offering a 2 for 1 matching program for K-12 teachers, providing two Flip Ultra™ cameras for $150* at www.digitalwish.org.
Manchester Center, VT, October 27, 2009 – Digital Wish and Flip Video are proud to offer a special matching program for educators. It was designed to make video technology more accessible, and help teachers affordably integrate video into the classroom. For just $150*, anyone can purchase a Flip Ultra™ camcorder for their favorite classroom and Flip Video will match every purchase with a second camcorder for free to help support American schools! With this matching program educators and parents can easily put the power of video into classrooms across the US.
To access this matching program, educators should register their classroom at www.digitalwish.org. Anyone can then purchase Flip Camcorders through their favorite teacher’s classroom profile or Digital Wish’s shopping area and the free matching unit from Flip Video will automatically appear in their cart. Teachers are invited to make a classroom wish list and invite their PTA to start fundraising for their technology needs. Donors can also register on Digital Wish and donate Flip Camcorders directly to the classroom or teacher of their choice through this matching program.
“Flip video cameras are a perfect fit for classroom use and a favorite among our teacher community,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s Founder. “We believe that this matching program will help our most desperate schools combat the critical shortfall in technology funding.”
Educators should register their classroom for free at www.digitalwish.org to take advantage of the Flip Video educators matching program. The program is only available to non-profit K-12 schools in the US exclusively for classroom usage. Purchase is limited to four Flip Camcorders per educator.
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Media Contact: Jon Ketchum (802) 375-6721 Ext. 210 Flip Promo Contact: Lindsay McFillin (802) 375-6721 Ext. 209 Digital Wish, PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255 Telephone: (802) 375-6721 Fax: (802) 375-6860 Email Address: lindsay@digitalwish.org Website: http://www.digitalwish.org
*matching program subject to change at the discretion of Cisco Systems, Inc. and does not include sales tax and shipping fees.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 03:39:57 PM Thu 10/15/2009
Digital Wish is now offering the Dell Classroom Netbook- Latitude 2100 with bundled accessories to educators on www.digitalwish.org.
Manchester Center, VT, October 15, 2009 – Digital Wish is proud to offer a Dell Classroom Netbook bundle tailored for educators, helping to put computers into student hands. Parents and community members can now invest in their children’s classrooms, by donating netbooks through Digital Wish. With a rubberized casing for durability, a built-in touch screen and webcam the Dell Latitude 2100 is a perfect netbook for students of any age. This incredible bundle also includes a shoulder strap, Microsoft Office Suite, Windows XP Pro and a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. A built-in LED monitor on the backside of the screen is a sure fire way to keep kids on task. It lights up when a student is online or networked so that educators can visually scan the classroom and be sure students are staying focused.
To put a Dell Latitude 2100 into your student’s hands, educators can register their classroom wish list for free at www.digitalwish.org. Parents and community members can then purchase Dell Classroom Netbooks directly from the shopping area or fundraise for their school’s technology needs. Donors can also register on Digital Wish and purchase a Dell Latitude 2100’s directly for the classroom or teacher of their choice.
“Teachers have been asking us to carry netbooks on Digital Wish since our inception,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s Founder. “We are ecstatic to work with Dell because the Latitude 2100 was made for the classroom from the ground up. With its durability and size, this computer is ideal for students to carry around in backpacks.”
Educators should register their classroom for free at www.digitalwish.org.
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
About Dell Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they need and value. For more information, visit www.dell.com.
Company Website: http://www.dell.com
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Digital Wish Support at 03:57:46 PM Mon 10/05/2009
Digital Wish and Flip Video Spotlight are offering 2 Flip Ultra™ cameras for $150 to educators at http://www.digitalwish.org.
Manchester Center, VT, October 5, 2009 – Digital Wish and Flip Video Spotlight Program are proud to offer a special deal for educators to help integrate video into the classroom.For just $150, educators can purchase TWO Flip Ultra™ camcorders or use donated funds. With this 2 for 1 promotion, educators and donors can put the power of video into classrooms across the US. To access the promotion, educators should register their classroom for free at http://www.digitalwish.org. Teachers can then purchase the Flip Camcorders directly from the shopping area or add them to their classroom’s wish list and start fundraising for their technology needs.Donors can also register on Digital Wish and donate flips directly the classroom or teacher of their choice.
“Flip video cameras are a perfect fit for classroom use and a favorite among our teacher community,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s Founder. “Video has the power to engage students in new ways, and the 2 for 1 promotion makes it even easier to get this already affordable technology into the hands of students.”
Educators should register their classroom for free at http://www.digitalwish.org to receive the 2 for 1 promotion. The promotion is only available to non-profit K-12 schools in the US, and purchase is limited to four Flip Camcorders per educator.
About Pure Digital, Inc. Based in San Francisco, Pure Digital Technologies is a pioneer in developing simple, affordable digital imaging solutions for the mass market. Its revolutionary Flip Video family of camcorders ignited a new category of video cameras that puts the power to shoot and share video into the pockets of everyday consumers. Flip Video camcorders are the world's first with on-board software to enable editing, organizing, and seamless video uploading to YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video and other video sharing sites. As part of its Flip Video Spotlight Program, the company pledged to deliver 1 million camcorders to help non-profits use the power of video to change the world. Flip Video is available in over 10,000 retail locations including Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Sears, Kmart, and TheFlip.com. Flip Video products are also available in Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.TheFlip.com.
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit http://www.digitalwish.org.
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 08:32:45 AM Tue 06/09/2009
Teachers can now use donations, grant money, or other school funds to purchase Microsoft and Adobe products at Digitalwish.org.
Manchester Center, VT, June 9, 2009 - Getting Adobe Systems Incorporated and Microsoft Corporation products into the classroom is now easier than ever at www.digitalwish.org. Digital Wish, a non-profit dedicated to modernizing classrooms, administers a constant stream of small grants to schools and helps teachers find and acquire funding for technology. Digital Wish not only offers Adobe and Microsoft products, but also automatically matches each purchase by giving 2% - 10% back to teachers every time they place an order. For example, if a donor or school purchases the Adobe® Create Suite 4® Design Premium site license, that school would automatically receive $189.98 to apply to a future purchase. In addition, Digital Wish demands no fee, ensuring that 100% of every donation will benefit classroom teachers and their students.
"Adobe and Microsoft products comprise some of the top requested products on the site," said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish's Founder. "We're happy we can offer teachers the technology they really need to ensure their students' future success. Purchases and monetary contributions are also tax deductible, making Digital Wish a great resource for potential donors."
How it works:
Donors and teachers can register for free on digitalwish.org. Teachers set up "wish lists" for the Microsoft or Adobe products and other classroom technology they need, and donors can give cash donations or purchase items directly from a teacher's wish list. Using Digital Wish's Class Locator, donors can find teachers or schools anywhere in the United States. After receiving a cash donation, teachers "go shopping" for the technology they need, and Digital Wish donates 2% - 10% of every order back into their shopping cart.
About Digital Wish
As a non-profit, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare today's students for tomorrow. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Their classroom's story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Digital Wish works with institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, and then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corporation is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Kendra Ericson at 11:42:25 AM Tue 06/02/2009
Digital Wish announces the winners of its Inspired Kids contest, four educators who will take home more than $1,600 in technology prizes for their classrooms.
Manchester Center, VT, June 2, 2009 - Digital Wish, a nonprofit committed to modernizing classrooms, has teamed up with Inspiration Software, Inc. to give away $1,600 in Kidspiration® software and other prizes. Educators were asked to submit Kidspiration lesson ideas that incorporated the year's events with an emphasis on student involvement, creativity, and fun.. Teachers from across the country shared original classroom ideas focused on visual learning, competing for a chance to win great prizes and a place in Digital Wish's national lesson plan library.
Congratulations to the Inspired Kids contest grand prize winner Barbara Lorson from Hope Elementary School for her innovative and inspiring lesson Let's Make Some Money!. Lorson will receive a 10-computer license of Kidspiration software, school-wide editions of corresponding lesson plan books, and a digital camera to help her continue to inspire young minds. As a result of their fun and original ideas, three additional winners will receive a single copy of Kidspiration software and 3 lesson plan books:
Patrice Clynes from Hatton Elementary School for Kindergarten Memories
Doedee Trostel-Patton from Miami East Junior High School for What's Going On
Denise Webster from Forest Lake Elementary School for Ocean Animals
"These contests are a great way for us to recognize and honor teachers who are committed to 21st century learning," said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish's Founder. "We're excited to honor teachers who are finding inventive ways to engage students."
Educators are encouraged to register their classroom for free at www.digitalwish.org to receive future contest announcements. "We're always looking for new ways to help teachers reach their technology goals, so new contests are announced year round," said Chirtea.
About Digital Wish
Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom's story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Media Contact: Polly Davis
Digital Wish, PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc.'s award-winning software tools, Inspiration®, Kidspiration and InspireData®, are based on proven visual learning methodologies that help students think, learn and achieve. With the powerful combination of visual learning and technology, students in grades K-12 learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and think critically. Founded more than 25 years ago by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's visual learning software tools are used today by more than 25 million students and teachers worldwide.
For more information, press only:
Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications, 773-227-1049, lwolfe@lwolfe.com
Posted by Kendra Ericson at 12:36:54 PM Wed 04/15/2009
DigitalWish.org and Inspiration Software, Inc. invite educators to share their creativity in the Inspired Kids Contest.
Manchester, VT, April 15, 2009 – Digital Wish, a nonprofit committed to modernizing American classrooms, is teaming up with Inspiration Software®, Inc., the leader in visual thinking and learning, to bring educators an exciting new grant contest. The Inspired Kids Contest, beginning April 15, asks educators to use Kidspiration® software to reflect upon the year’s events as a class. The educator who submits the most inspiring lesson plan will win a 10-computer license of Kidspiration with accompanying school-wide lesson plan books, and a 10 megapixel digital camera. Three additional winners will each receive a single copy of Kidspiration with lesson plan books.
To enter the Inspired Kids Contest, educators should visit www.digitalwish.org and submit a creative lesson idea utilizing Kidspiration software. To be eligible to win, educators must serve K-12 students and be registered on Digital Wish. “I’m excited to be working with Inspiration to bring this grant opportunity to teachers,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s Founder. “Kidspiration is a great product, and this contest gives teachers the chance to get technology into the classroom that many schools can’t currently afford.”
Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, and then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Media Contact: Polly Davis
Digital Wish, PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc.’s award-winning software tools, Inspiration®, Kidspiration and InspireData®, are based on proven visual learning methodologies that help students think, learn and achieve. With the powerful combination of visual learning and technology, students in grades K-12 learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge, and think critically. Founded more than 25 years ago by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company’s visual learning software tools are used today by more than 25 million students and teachers worldwide.
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 11:50:37 AM Thu 02/19/2009
DigitalWish.org, a public charity on a mission to modernize American schools, makes getting SMART products into schools easier than ever with educational pricing.
Manchester, VT, February 19, 2009 - Getting SMART products into schools is now even more affordable on digitalwish.org. Digital Wish not only offers educational pricing on all SMART products listed on the site, but the organization also automatically matches each purchase by giving 2% - 10% back to teachers every time they place an order. For example, if a donor purchases a SMART Board 680 with Unifi 45 Projector for a teacher, that teacher would automatically receive $66 back in his or her shopping cart to apply to a future purchase. In addition, Digital Wish demands no fee, ensuring that 100% of every donation will benefit classroom teachers and their students.
"Educational pricing is key," said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish's Founder. "Now donors can purchase SMART products for schools at the reduced, educational price, which makes donor contributions go further, and brings teachers one step closer to modernizing their classrooms. Purchases and monetary contributions are also tax deductible, making Digital Wish a great resource for potential donors."
How it works:Donors and teachers can register for free on digitalwish.org. Teachers set up "wish lists" for the SMART products and other classroom technology they need, and donors can give cash donations or purchase items directly from a teacher's wish list. Using Digital Wish's Class Locator, donors can find teachers or schools anywhere in the United States. After receiving a cash donation, teachers "go shopping" for the technology they need, and Digital Wish donates 2% - 10% of every order back into their shopping cart.
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Their classroom's story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, and then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 02:59:47 PM Mon 01/05/2009
Digitalwish.org, a public charity on a mission to modernize American schools, stretches donor dollars to make educators’ technology wishes come true.Manchester, VT, January 5, 2009 – Digital Wish, a nonprofit charity committed to modernizing classrooms, makes every donation go further. Whether it’s a five dollar or five thousand dollar donation, Digital Wish stretches each gift for teachers by automatically giving 2% - 10% back to teachers every time they place an order. In addition, Digital Wish demands no fee, ensuring that 100% of every donation will benefit classroom teachers and their students.
How it works: Donors and teachers can register for free on digitalwish.org. Teachers set up “wish lists,” explaining their classroom’s technology needs, and donors can give cash donations or purchase items directly from a teacher’s wish list. Using Digital Wish’s Class Locator, donors can find teachers or schools anywhere in the United States. After receiving a cash donation, teachers “go shopping” for the technology they need, and Digital Wish donates 2% - 10% of every teacher order back into their shopping cart.
“It’s increasingly difficult for schools to acquire the technology they need to prepare students for tomorrow’s jobs in this economy,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s Founder. “Every day we hear about funding cuts, so Digital Wish provides a connection between donors and teachers, and every donor counts. Even a $5 donation can make a difference because the individual contributions add up. Together, we can make a difference in education and secure a place for our children in an increasingly competitive job market.”
In these tight financial times, Digital Wish provides donors with the opportunity to make their dollars work harder for a good cause: the future of America’s classrooms and students.
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit http://www.digitalwish.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 11:27:32 AM Thu 10/23/2008
Digital Wish Gives Away $6,000 in Grants to NSBA MembersSunderland, VT, October 23, 2008 – Digital Wish, Vermont based public charity on a mission to modernize American schools, awarded $6,000 in Tool Factory software to four winners of National School Board Association’s TLN Digital Wish Grant.Digital Wish worked closely with NSBA to make this grant opportunity available to the association’s nationwide membership. Participants were asked to register at www.digitalwish.org to increase awareness of Digital Wish’s mission – to assist teachers in securing grants for the classroom technology they need – and winners were chosen at random from the submitted applicants. There were two deadlines set, August 31stand October first. The grand prize winner will be announced at the NSBA T+L (Technology and Learning) conference at the end of October.
August 31st Deadline, Each Winner receives $1,000 in Tool Factory Software:
· Christina McCormick – West Chester Henderson High School, West Chester PA.
· Kurt Bernardo – Orange High School, Pepper Pike, OH.
· Susan Walston – Haysville Alternative High School, Haysville, KS.
Grand Finale, October 1st Winner receives $3,000 in Tool Factory Software:
· Winner will be announced at the NSBA T+L conference!
Announced winners have been notified through Digital Wish and will place their orders through Digital Wish’s online ecommerce system. “There were a record number of participants,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s founder, “and we’re thankful to the NSBA staff for helping us increase teacher awareness. There are many free resources available on Digital Wish to help teachers secure funding for their classrooms, and we are thrilled that so many teachers are utilizing them.”
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up grant programs for schools. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Digital Wish Support at 10:33:31 AM Tue 10/14/2008
Digitalwish.org, a Vermont based public charity on a mission to modernize American schools, receives a $300,000 grant to expand operations and fundraise for schools.
Manchester, VT, October 14, 2008 – The Draper Richards Foundation has awarded Digital Wish a $300,000 grant in recognition of Digital Wish’s potential to modernize American schools. The funds, distributed to Digital Wish over the next three years, will be used by the organization to expand its fundraising operations. In response, Digital Wish has announced the launch of its corporate donation program that allows companies to set up employee matching funds programs at little to no administrative cost. Digital Wish will also matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding, ensuring that 102%-110% of the giver’s donation will be allocated directly to school technology programs.
Digital Wish now joins the impressive lineup of high-growth nonprofit organizations that Draper Richards helps usher through startup phase including: Room to Read, Kiva, and the Genocide Intervention Network, among others. Digital Wish was one of only four nonprofits to be selected for the grant in 2008, and no more than six grants are given in a single year.
“I am honored to be amongst such distinguished peers and excited by how this grant will impact our ability to help teachers acquire the technology they desperately need,” said Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish’s founder. “With the influx of both money and Draper Richards’ managerial support, we can significantly increase our impact on US education. We now have the resources we need to scale our fundraising effort.”
Draper Richards also provides its social entrepreneurs with support and guidance, in addition to financial assistance, and Digital Wish will work closely with Draper Richards on strategic growth issues. Further, Jenny Shilling Stein, Executive Director of the Draper Richards Foundation will join Digital Wish’s Board of Directors. She commented, "Digital Wish provides inspiration for thousands of teachers to bring technology into their classrooms. Heather and her team really understand teachers' needs. Digital Wish is the most efficient way for individuals, corporations and foundations to connect with teachers and give them what they need to be successful in the classroom."
The Draper Richards Fellowship Grant, combined with Digital Wish’s corporate giving tools, paint a bright picture of Digital Wish’s future and the future of American classrooms. “When innovative technology is accessible to teachers and students,” said Chirtea, “everyone benefits. Classrooms are modernized, students are prepared for the technological demands of tomorrow’s workplace, and corporations can hire locally.” In short, Digital Wish has the potential to bridge the gap between schools and community funding, and take strides towards solving America’s technology crisis.
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up cost-free grant programs for schools, then matches every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Media Contact: Polly Davis
Digital Wish, PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Telephone: (802) 375-6721 Ext. 201 Fax: (802) 375-6860
Email Address: polly@digitalwish.org
Website: http://www.digitalwish.org
About the Draper Richards Foundation The Draper Richards Foundation funds selected social entrepreneurs in a variety of public service areas, including education, the environment, arts, health, and community and economic development. The Foundation's support is based on the structure of a venture capital fund, providing financial support as well as strategic and organizational assistance. The Foundation was founded by venture capitalists William H. Draper III and Robin Richards Donohoe. For more information, please visit: www.draperrichards.org.
Draper Richards Foundation
50 California Street, Suite 2925
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415-616-4050, Fax: 415-616-4060
Email: info@draperrichards.org
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Digital Wish Support at 03:16:13 PM Fri 09/26/2008
Sunderland, VT, September 26, 2008 - Teachers can now use donations and grant money to acquire SMART BoardTM interactive whiteboards and SMART products at digitalwish.org. Digital Wish is a public charity on a mission to modernize schools. Teachers are invited to create wish lists for classroom technology by simply browsing through an online shopping area. After making a wish for SMART Boards teachers can invite parents and donors to grant their wishes by contributing any amount of funding to their classroom shopping cart, or simply purchasing SMART products directly from their wish list. Digital Wish always matches every donation with an additional 2% in funding for schools! Participation is free, and teachers automatically qualify for 43 additional technology grants, just by posting a lesson plan.
"Over 50% of the product suggestions we receive from teachers are for SMART Boards and other SMART products. This technology allows students to become engaged in learning," cites Heather Chirtea, Digital Wish's founder. In addition, when teachers select SMART products through Digital Wish, they can also choose their favorite local SMART Technologies dealer to install and service their products. Orders for SMART Boards are automatically passed through to local dealers so that schools can get the same great service they are accustomed to receiving.
Technology is an essential part of the contemporary classroom, and SMART Boards have become a staple technology in ensuring student success. However with declining Federal funding, many schools can't afford the technology they desperately need. At digitalwish.org, teachers can access numerous free fundraising resources to help them acquire classroom technology. Teachers can craft a "Fundraiser in Five Minutes" by simply printing out their wish lists as donation packet. This makes it easy for schools to reach out to parents and local businesses for donations.
Registration is free and teachers simply visit digitalwish.org and use the Class Locator to find their school. They can build a classroom profile, make their wish list, and network with other teacher-friends through the site. By writing a lesson plan, educators are automatically entered to win 43 technology grants and they can also access links to numerous other grants from the online library. Grant deadlines mature every month, so participating teachers are automatically in the running for new technology opportunities each month. Download ready-made flyers and reprint news articles from this link:
http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/about
Donors visit digitalwish.org and use the Class Locator to find schools in their local area, or browse through Digital Wish's national lesson plan library to find and fund submissions of merit. The longer teachers are involved, the more chances they have of receiving a grant, so schools are encouraged to invite the entire teaching staff to participate.
Make a Digital Wish come true!
About Digital Wish
As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom's story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up grant programs for schools. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Media Contact: Kendra Ericson
Digital Wish, PO Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255
Telephone: (802) 375-6721 Ext. 201 Fax: (802) 375-6860
Email Address: kendra@digitalwish.org
Website: http://www.digitalwish.org
About SMART Technologies
SMART Technologies is an industry pioneer and global education market segment leader in user-friendly ICT products and group collaboration tools. The award-winning line of SMART Board interactive whiteboards is the most widely installed in the world because of its unsurpassed product quality, versatility and ease of use. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach over 18 million students in more than 600,000 classrooms in more than 100 countries around the world. To learn more about SMART, visit www.smarttech.com.
Media Contact: Public Relations
SMART Technologies
Telephone: (403) 802-2558
Fax: (403) 228-2500
Email Address: pr@smarttech.com
Website: http://www.smarttech.com
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Sunderland, VT, July 12, 2007 – Every teacher has the power to earn funding at www.digitalwish.com. Like a wedding registry, teachers make their technology wishes public and tell their story, so that anyone can make a donation to their classroom’s cart. Registered teachers will automatically qualify for 43 new technology grants from Olympus and Tool Factory, including a Mobile Digital Camera Lab. Grants are then awarded to the teachers with the best all-around class profile and lesson plans.
Regardless of whether teachers win a grant, their story will be available for any potential donor to read, and later contribute to. Unlike most grants, Digital Wish provides a constant possibility of receiving funding for every applicant. The Digital Wish website also features a library of grant links and fundraising resources to help educators find additional funding for technology. There’s even an extensive library of lesson plans so that educators can find ideas for digital projects.
The Grants
Teachers register once, then there’s no need to reapply each month – all original lesson plans are eligible to win any grant opportunity. Three Mobile Digital Camera Labs worth $3,500 will be awarded annually. Every month, Digital Wish will award digital cameras and podcasting software from Olympus and Tool Factory. Software site licenses will be given away in all core subject areas and special education. All grants will be judged based on:
* Creativity and depth of the Digital Wish user profile.
* Popularity of lesson plans.
* Quality of lesson plan.
* Activity of the Digital Wish user.
Olympus and Tool Factory invite educators to share their ideas and tell their stories on Digital Wish.
Visit Digital Wish at www.digitalwish.org and get the complete schedule of grant awards and deadlines.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Polly Davis at 01:15:16 PM Mon 06/30/2008
Sunderland, VT, May 16, 2008 – Digital Wish can set up employee matching fund programs for corporations wanting to give back to their local schools. There are no administrative fees, and Digital Wish will also donate an additional 2%-10% in funding, insuring that 102%-110% of the giver’s donation will be allocated directly to the school’s technology program to help modernize American classrooms. Recipients of a matching grant will first receive one donation from the employee, then a second matching donation from the corporate employer. Donated funds are instantly available to be spent on technology products for the classroom.
Getting Started To set up a matching fund program, corporations simply provide Digital Wish with the following:
• A list of qualifying employee names.
• The corporate matching percentage.
• The matching cap for each employee.
• The total fund cap.
Digital Wish administers the corporate matching funds according to the corporation’s guidelines, and regular reporting statements keep everyone abreast of donation levels.
Many Ways to Give Corporate employees can donate in any of the following ways:
• Make a cash donation to their favorite school.
• Purchase items directly from a school’s wish list.
• Target specific schools in a county and allocate a unique cash grant amount for each.
• Enter a total sum and evenly distribute it across all the selected schools. For example, a $10,000 fund could be allocated evenly across all the schools in a local county.
Targeting local or underserved schools is simply a matter of searching by region or county.
Donor Recognition An acknowledgement of the donation, along with the corporate logo appears on the school’s page. Employee can also upload a photograph. Every donor can post a profile, linked from their donation listing. See example.
http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/view_school?id=130707
Please Contact To have Digital Wish set up an employee matching fund for your business, please contact:
Digital Wish, www.digitalwish.org Heather Chirtea, heather@digitalwish.org
P.O. Box 1072, Manchester Center, VT 05255-1072
P: (802) 375-6721, F: (802) 375-6860
More information and printable flyers are available:
http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/matching_grant
Grants can be set up at any financial level. Programs can be enacted with no administrative costs, and Digital Wish provide an additional 2%-10% premium on every funding dollar. All donations are tax-deductible and technology resources ship directly to the schools, so there is virtually no risk that funds can ever be misallocated.
Make a Digital Wish come true!
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor. Digital Wish works with many institutions to set up grant programs for schools. Visit www.digitalwish.org.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
Posted by Jon Ketchum at 01:07:52 PM Mon 06/30/2008
Sunderland, VT, January 9, 2007 - Foundations wanting to give large numbers of technology grants to local schools, no longer have to bear the cost of creating a grant application, marketing their opportunity to schools, reviewing applications, and judging submission. Instead, Digital Wish allows foundations to select all the schools in a single region and give a technology grant to each. Schools use donated funds to purchase much-needed technology products for their classrooms. Digital Wish then matches every cash donation with an automatic 2%-10% rebate to the schools, insuring that 102%-110% of the giver’s funding will be allocated directly to the school’s technology program to help modernize American classrooms.
Local Giving Priorities Like a wedding registry, schools use www.digitalwish.com to create a “wish list” of needed technology products for their classroom. Donors then visit Digital Wish and elect to buy items directly from the teacher’s wish lists, or donate money directly to local schools in need. Funding can be allocated to schools across any local region in the following ways:
* Browse local teacher profiles, identify worthy classrooms, and award product grants by purchasing items from a school’s wish list.
* Select all the schools in a county and allocate a unique cash grant amount for each. Schools then decide which wish list items to purchase.
* Enter a total sum and evenly distribute it across all the selected schools. For example, a $22,000 fund could be allocated evenly across all the schools in a local county.
Targeting local or underserved schools is simply a matter of searching by region or county. A single transaction can include any number of cash donations and/or product purchases, for any number of schools, in any local area.
Creating A Competitive Grant Program If a foundation prefers to create a unique competitive grant program, Digital Wish can construct an entire program, at no cost to the philanthropic sponsor. Online grant applications can be created with fields for minority status, income levels, or new judging criteria based on any priorities set by the philanthropic giver. Judging can occur from any internet connection with three elimination rounds tailored to any foundation’s needs, or winners can be selected randomly. Digital Wish can even filter out the best applications, in order to narrow the field of candidates for the judges.
Donors Are Recognized The corporate or foundational logo can appear on each school’s profile page where a grant is provided. Press release templates are automatically sent to schools, making it easy for the local press to acknowledge the philanthropic contributions. Printable templates encourage teachers to send newsletter updates to parents, community networks, and the press. Corporate donors benefit from cause-related marketing, foundational donors can easily widen their philanthropic reach, schools are modernized, fantastic press is garnered, and there is virtually no overhead cost to administer a wide scale grants program for a large numbers of schools. Larger donors will be publicized on the Digital Wish home page so that all schools are made aware of their contributions.
About Digital Wish As a public charity, Digital Wish is on a mission to modernize American classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce. Educators build technology wish lists and describe how each resource will be utilized. Teachers write project plans or browse a free lesson plan library to find project ideas written by educators, outlining best practices in technology. Their classroom’s story is then posted online, for review by any donor.
Donors Contributions All technology resources ship directly to the schools, so there is virtually no risk that grant funds will ever be misallocated. There is never any cost associated with making donations. Digital Wish also provides schools with cash-back manufacturer’s rebates on every product purchase, giving schools an additional cash award and insuring that 102%-105% of the donor’s funds benefit classroom teachers and their students. These rebates motivate schools to continue supporting their technology program, even after the donor’s award has been utilized.
Call to Action Please contact Digital Wish to set up a cost-free educational giving program. We can:
1. Distribute funds to local schools and cost-free.
2. Create a competitive grant program for schools under your branding.
Grants can be set up at any financial level. Programs can be accomplished with no administrative costs, and technology rebates provide an additional premium on every foundation’s funding dollar.
Make a Digital Wish come true!
About Digital Wish Digital Wish is a public charity with a mission to modernize American schools and prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce.
Digital Wish Media Contact: John Sullivan, john@digitalwish.org Digital Wish
PO Box 1072
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255-1072 (802) 375-6721 X-210
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