Kids In Need Foundation and LOFT Launch Best In Class Teacher Grants

10/19/2011

Teachers may apply at www.kinf.org

The Kids In Need Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers, announces its third year partnering with LOFT, to support the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program. LOFT, known for feminine, versatile, stylish and affordable fashion, will provide the grant from the company’s LOFT Loves Teachers program for approximately 100 teachers, so they may purchase supplies needed to conduct innovative projects in their classrooms.

Funding from $100 to $500 is available for original classroom projects. Grant requests may be submitted online at www.kinf.org between October 3 and December 9, 2011.

“The Teacher Grants program recognizes the creativity of teachers, as well as alleviating the need for teachers to reach into their own pockets to pay for materials to do special projects,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the Kids In Need Foundation. “We are proud to partner with LOFT Loves Teachers on this Best In Class Grants program, which allows teachers to create innovative experiences in their own classrooms.”

LOFT Loves Teachers is dedicated to honoring the daily commitment teachers make in and out of the classroom and the intricate role they play in children’s lives. To further teachers’ efforts, LOFT has pledged $50,000 to the Kids In Need Foundation in support of the LOFT Best In Class Grants.

“Our brand is committed to supporting educators in their efforts to enrich the lives of our nation's children. LOFT is proud to continue our dynamic partnership with the Kids in Need Foundation through the LOFT Best In Class Grants, dedicated to providing teachers with necessary classroom tools.” said Deborah Cavanagh, SVP, LOFT Brand Marketing

Kids In Need is encouraging teachers to register for LOFT’s teacher appreciation program at LOFTLovesTeachers.com and learn about all the perks LOFT offers educators, including an everyday 15% discount on full price merchandise, exclusive sweepstakes, style guides just for teachers, and more!

LOFT believes teachers should be honored every day; as a special thanks, LOFT is celebrating LOFT Teacher Appreciation Week, in stores, from October 11 through October 16. The entire week, teachers will receive 25% off full price purchases, 10% above the everyday discount, when they shop with their Teacher ID. Additionally, from October 3 through November 3, educators can enter for a chance to win a LOFT Loves Teachers makeover by becoming a LOFT Fan on Facebook. LOFT will travel to the winning teacher’s hometown and give her and nine of her fellow co-workers a head-to-toe LOFT wardrobe makeover and school supplies for their classrooms donated by the Kids In Need Foundation. For official rules and to enter, visit LOFT on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LOFT.

“The purpose of the Kids In Need Foundation is to get free school supplies into the hands of kids who need them,” said Dave Smith. “The materials necessary to do these exceptional projects would not be available to students if it were not for the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program and the companies that sponsor it, so we are greatly appreciative of LOFT’s participation.”

About the Kids In Need Foundation

The Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization with offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids In Need National Network of Resource Centers includes 25 facilities where teachers from low-income schools go to obtain free school supplies for their students. In addition, two Kids In Need Teacher Grant programs provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning experiences for students. The Kids In Need Foundation has distributed more than $350 million in school supplies since its founding, directly benefiting 1.6 million students and 100,000 teachers annually, and has awarded $1.2 million in grants to teachers. Kids In Need has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for three consecutive years, indicating that it operates in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America. For more information, visit www.kinf.org. Follow Kids In Need Foundation on Twitter, http://twitter.com/kidsinneed

About LOFT

At LOFT, we believe the best relationships are BUILT ON TRUST. Well, that and an amazing wardrobe. We became a TRUSTED PERSONAL STYLIST by connecting with women on a GENUINE LEVEL – equal parts expert, confidante and friend who tells it like it is. We give her fashion advice, ideas and inspiration that make her style aspirations attainable. We believe in offering VERSATILE, ACCESIBLE and AFFORDABLE fashion with undeniably FEMININE appeal, special and unexpected DETAILS, and a flattering FIT.