UPDATE: Behold the power of internet friends! Thanks to Swistle, and Alice, and Samantha, and Nilsa, and Jess, and any and everyone else who has linked to this today! I’m committed to raising money for College Summit, so I’m keeping the 50 cents per comment period open until 8 am central standard time tomorrow (Friday,) which is 24 hours after I posted it, or until my total donation reaches $150 (which, given the matching, would be a $300 donation!) After that, I’ll close out the”pay for comments” portion of our program, and open the voting for the “choose Friday’s charity” portion. Let’s see how much dough we can bring in! Thanks again for supporting these great causes!
***
Hello again!
I’m really enjoying this week of giving and exploring other people’s favorite charities. Today, we continue as we have for the past three days: I guarantee a $25 donation, and add on an additional 50 cents for every comment I receive.
And today, there’s a BONUS AT STAKE: today’s organization has a private donor who has agreed to match match all donations of $50 or more through December 31, essentially double our donation if we raise $25 on top of my $25 pledge. This would take a LOT more comments we’ve had so far this week, but here’s the thing: I pretty much never check blog stats, but I did yesterday, and there are a lot of you out there this week who are visiting but not commenting. Welcome, new friends! I am asking you, today, to please, please comment. Comment anonymously if you wish, tell me you disagree with my choice of charity and advocate for one of your own, do whatever you feel you should. But please, if you’re here today, just comment. I’m really hoping I can get 50 comments on this post to raise the extra $25 so that my donation gets matched. Let’s do it!
Today’s featured organization is not Chicago-based, but it is one very close to my heart: College Summit.
College Summit is a truly amazing organization that has a proven record successfully addressing one of the hardest truths about the American education system: poor students, even really excellent poor students, aren’t going to college at the rates they could and should be, and this fact is hurting kids, families, and communities.
From their website:
National data indicates that low-income students who got A’s on a standardized test went to college at the same rate as top-income students who got D’s on the same standardized test.
A college education can break the cycle of poverty for families and drive economic growth for communities. Yet, community-wide solutions to enrolling more low-income students in college are particularly difficult to achieve. College Summit addresses this challenge by using a proven strategy that engages critical stakeholders across the community and employs an approach that helps embed systemic, scalable, and enduring change.
I’ve worked with College Summit before, and can speak personally to the power of their model. Simply said: it works. And you don’t have to take my word for it:
Since 1993, we have trained more than 13,000 student influencers. The high school GPA for these students has been mid-tier: 2.9 (on a 4.0 scale). Yet they have enrolled in college at a rate of 79%, significantly above the national college enrollment rate among low-income students of 52%. These Peer Leaders don’t just make it to college, they stay in college. The retention rate for these students has been 80% – above the national rate across all demographics.
If you’re familiar with education reform, and how hard it is to make meaningful, sustainable change, these numbers should blow you away.
If you want to be really inspired, (and work in an office where you’re reasonably protected from embarrassment if you tear up at your desk,) check out some of the essays students have produced at College Summit workshops.
SO! Let’s give them some money!
(And tune in tomorrow for the five finalists for our “vote for our final charity” feature!)
December 18, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Keppy up the great work!
December 18, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Yet another very worthy cause. Good job pseudostoops!
December 18, 2008 at 1:47 pm
neat cause!
December 18, 2008 at 2:06 pm
First time here, first comment. Think I might stick around…
December 18, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I Twittered about this! I hope it helps. Keep me posted and maybe I can do a post on my own blog this afternoon to try and send some extra traffic this way if it looks like the comments are lagging.
December 18, 2008 at 2:17 pm
You keep going with your awesome self. I just did a blog posting about your cause and I hope that this increases traffic.
December 18, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Yo! Yo! Yo!
December 18, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Came over here from Nilsa! This sounds like such a great cause. Everyone deserves an education and the fact that many don’t receive one is just disgraceful and very sad.
I hope you get enough comments! I’ll put a link on my blog.
December 18, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Yay for education!!
December 18, 2008 at 2:40 pm
This is a worthy cause, pseudoscoops! Good luck with your campaign!
December 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Great idea!
December 18, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Preach it!
December 18, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Commenting! What a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Such a great idea! sorry I didnt stop by to comment earlier in the week.
PS: Did you get my email about Lisa and Bob’s address?
December 18, 2008 at 4:03 pm
here’s my comment! hope you make your goal!!!
December 18, 2008 at 4:16 pm
easy enough…to support a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Thank you for doing this! I hope you make your goal.
December 18, 2008 at 4:34 pm
What a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 4:34 pm
What a great cause! I’d never heard of it before, so thanks for opening my eyes.
December 18, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Great thing you’re doing here!
December 18, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Yay education!
December 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm
🙂 I am here because Swistle told me to. But I am loving the info about the charities I didn’t know about. Happy Holidays!
December 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Yay for charitable giving!
December 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm
good lord, i really did have to stop reading those essays because i WAS tearing up. this is a great one today… i really hope we get the match money 🙂
December 18, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Wonderful pick!
December 18, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Finally catching up on Tweets and leaving a comment!!
December 18, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Thank you from College Summit — your generosity is appreciated!!
December 18, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Great blog!
December 18, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi!
Well, this was a dumb week to let my Reader get a little backed up. Sorry it took until today to leave a comment.
College Summit made me leap out of my seat, literally. I recently switched my career from corporate america to higher education, so stuff like this really gets my heart rate up!
This sounds like a wonderful organization. Thanks for bringing about more awareness.
December 18, 2008 at 4:48 pm
What a great organization! Good luck on getting the matching donations!
December 18, 2008 at 4:49 pm
What a great idea! Love the info on all the charities – thanks for doing this!
December 18, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Here via Swistle . . . this is a fabulous idea!
December 18, 2008 at 4:51 pm
What an amazing idea!!! Here’s to my 50 cents!
December 18, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I found my way here from Swistle’s blog. This sounds like an amazing organization!
December 18, 2008 at 5:01 pm
What a great way to leverage public support. Let’s help get some kids to college!
December 18, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Over from Swistle. What a great charity. As a high school teacher this is something I can really get behind! Great job finding such terrific charities.
December 18, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Over from Swistle. This is such a wonderful idea!
December 18, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I think this is such a frigging wonderful idea you’ve got here, and I love the charity you have chosen.
December 18, 2008 at 5:18 pm
And here’s to hoping you’re into multiple comments! I was lucky enough that paying for college wasn’t too much trouble, but oh, there are so many out there that deserve that, too.
December 18, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I love this idea!! Go, you!
December 18, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Excellent, this is so thoughtful. And thanks to Swistle for sending me here.
December 18, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Swistle sent me. . . what a great thing you’re doing. Good luck reaching 50, it looks like you’ll make it!
December 18, 2008 at 5:47 pm
awesome cause
December 18, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Good for you! Found you through Swistle…
December 18, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Almost there!
December 18, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Heard about this from Swistle and had to head over and support your endeavor! You are doing something truly wonderful!
December 18, 2008 at 5:53 pm
terrific
December 18, 2008 at 5:53 pm
This is a wonderful idea and I like the charity. Count me as another one sent over via Swistle!
It’s nice to see somebody doing something good.
December 18, 2008 at 6:06 pm
You weren’t picked up by my feed reader yesterday and I missed out. I did tweet your project on Tuesday. A Womens Fund in Urbana IL gets my vote for tomorrow
December 18, 2008 at 6:08 pm
This is a great org. Nice pick.
December 18, 2008 at 6:11 pm
hello!
I comment in support.
December 18, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Great idea!
December 18, 2008 at 6:29 pm
nice idea
December 18, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Found you through Swistle and I must say what you are doing is very admirable! I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you succeed
December 18, 2008 at 6:34 pm
terrific!
December 18, 2008 at 6:44 pm
What a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 6:45 pm
such a great cause
December 18, 2008 at 6:55 pm
What a great idea!
December 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Great idea
December 18, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I love this, I wish I would have thought of it!
December 18, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Not much to say, but just want to make sure the tally keeps rising!
December 18, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Found you through Swistle–great idea!
December 18, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Saw you on Twitter, and Alice’s and Swistle.
Can I only comment once?
December 18, 2008 at 7:15 pm
give it away!
December 18, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Wow, this is an ingenious way of raising money!
December 18, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Good idea! Great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 7:25 pm
College Summit is Amazing!!
December 18, 2008 at 7:31 pm
This is awesome!
December 18, 2008 at 7:34 pm
What a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 7:38 pm
This is a wonderful initiative that changes the lives of these students. Thanks!
December 18, 2008 at 7:40 pm
That is a great idea and cause. Hope many more will comment.
December 18, 2008 at 8:06 pm
This is so generous of you. I hope comments continue to grow.
December 18, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Swistle sent me.
December 18, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Thanks Swistle for sending me here.
December 18, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Sounds like a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 8:49 pm
helloooo!
December 18, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hi all –
I work for College Summit in Washington, DC. A friend sent me the link to this blog as a result. Not only is it incredible generous to empty your pockets for causes you admire, but the awareness raising you are doing for us is invaluable. We and our students thank you so much!
If anyone lives in the DC area and wants to volunteer with us – please let me know. jdemaree@collegesummit.org
December 18, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Swistle sent me too! What a great idea and you have chosen some really cool organizations!
December 18, 2008 at 9:17 pm
This is awesome of you. Great cause and I’m glad I could help!
December 18, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Eep. (I just wanted to type it out.)
December 18, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hope I can help.
December 18, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for helping a great cause!
December 18, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Wow, I don’t check your blog for a few days, and look what I miss! Here’s my comment.
December 18, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Came by via swistle. I work in higher ed so anything to do with college is great in my book
December 18, 2008 at 9:47 pm
As an educator myself, with an initial start with Teach For America, I’m all for this charity!
December 18, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Alice is annoying and sent me here 😛
December 18, 2008 at 10:12 pm
89 Comments is way more than the 50 you needed but I still love this idea and want to help more and more and woohoo!!!!
You are awesome.
P.S. I’m here via Swistle so if you go bankrupt doing this, blame her. 😀
December 18, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Awesome idea!
December 18, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Swistle sent me!
December 18, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Over 90 comments – how cool!
December 18, 2008 at 10:26 pm
good work.
December 18, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Another commenter sent via Swistle – what a great idea!
December 18, 2008 at 10:49 pm
What a cool idea! Here via Alice.
December 18, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Swistle sent me too!
December 18, 2008 at 11:45 pm
What a great idea! Thanks to Swistle for the link.
December 19, 2008 at 12:28 am
Another Swistle link through. Great cause. Great idea.
December 19, 2008 at 12:48 am
I think this is such an amazing idea, so inspiring. Thanks to Swistle for the link!
December 19, 2008 at 1:11 am
Great idea, great cause. Thanks for doing this.
December 19, 2008 at 1:16 am
I helped! (via Swistle)
December 19, 2008 at 1:19 am
Swistle sent me…
December 19, 2008 at 1:33 am
I’m a fan of this one! (all of them really)
December 19, 2008 at 1:53 am
Great cause.
December 19, 2008 at 2:02 am
Awesome idea!
December 19, 2008 at 2:10 am
You are doing a great thing : )
December 19, 2008 at 2:14 am
Happy holidays!
December 19, 2008 at 2:35 am
50 cents doesn’t seem like a lot, but it adds up FAST, and what a great thing to do!
December 19, 2008 at 2:53 am
Go you! This is a fantastic cause!! Now, lovely Pseudostoops’ readers, come over to my blog and comment on my week of charities so I can give more money away. Seriously – what is up with the readers who don’t comment? 😉
December 19, 2008 at 2:57 am
Hello! Alice sent me. Great idea. This is officially my comment to add to your tally. 🙂
December 19, 2008 at 3:05 am
Why not? 🙂
December 19, 2008 at 3:20 am
This is pretty amazing. Really. You’re a very cool person.
December 19, 2008 at 3:33 am
Great cause!
December 19, 2008 at 3:52 am
Way to go! Good idea!
December 19, 2008 at 5:58 am
Here from Swistle. Very cool idea, loving it!
December 19, 2008 at 11:41 am
I clicked through from Swistle, too.
December 19, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Another Swistle reader. Love this idea. 🙂
December 19, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Thanks for directing us, Swistle! This is a wonderful idea in a time when most of us are too busy thinking of ourselves. Thank you for your open mind and heart. (and wallet)
December 19, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Over from Swistle. Yay! Many comments.
December 19, 2008 at 7:25 pm
What a lovely idea! Thank you!
December 19, 2008 at 8:39 pm
This is a great idea! I’m coming from Swistle, and I’ll toss out my personal favorite organization: Doctors without Borders. They aren’t little or local, but they do good work.
December 20, 2008 at 1:03 am
I know it’s too late to change the total but I just wanted to say I did some work for this organization (editing a training manual) and from the manual it sounded like they did great work. I’m glad to see you’ve raised so much for them.
December 20, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Very worthy cause!