Heart of America
Heart of America provides resources and transforms learning spaces in under-resourced schools into modern learning environments.
Average award: Not specified
Total awarded: Not specified
Deadline: Rolling
Award Project Period: Annual
Washington, D.C. 20005
Heart of America provides resources and transforms spaces in under-resourced schools into modern learning environments so that students and communities can learn and grow. It has served more than two million students in need by distributing more than four million books, infusing $2 million in technology, and transforming more than 500 school and community libraries, cafeterias, gymnasiums, college and career centers, tech labs, and many more educational spaces across North America. Work includes:
- Learning Environment Transformations: Learning environment transformations include spaces large and small with a critical look at:
- How a room or an area is currently used
- How a new design, infusion of additional resources such as technology and books, and new furniture and decor can create a modern learning environment for the whole school community.
Heart of America learns the need, assesses the challenges, and works with partners to transform each space, often in just one day. Spaces can include health and wellness (athletic spaces and cafeterias), libraries and literacy, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Much of this work is accomplished through partners such as trusted contractors or vendors and with the support of volunteers in each location to complete the transformation.
- Resource Drives and Distributions: Through its Books from the Heart® program, Heart of America provides sponsors with the opportunity to:
- Select a community to support.
- Engage employees to provide resources such as books and technology to an under-resourced school.
Note: Awards appear to typically be made in collaboration with additional funders who are also supporting the project. Heart of America assists by selecting the project materials to coordinate all the details for the proposed project.
Public charter schools and nonprofit organizations.
- Greco Middle School (Tampa, FL) to transform the library media center by adding an infusion of color and inspiring graphics, new furniture, hands-on technology, and resources for creating. The renovation was completed in a day by nearly 50 local volunteers (amount not specified).
- William Paca Elementary (Landover, MD) to remodel a library media center and technology lab (amount
not specified).
Complete the online school intake form that includes the following: school contact information; grades served; total enrollment overall and per grade level; school representative contact information; indicate if the representative has been involved in a past project with Heart of America; select request type (transformation of specific room or campus, or requesting student resources); district partnership team lead name and email, if known; description of local sponsors/partners who may be interested in partnering on the request; and any additional details about how the space transformation or resource donations would impact students.
After the intake form is completed, the school will be added to Heart of America’s database. Space transformations and educational supplies/donations are based on availability of resources and sponsorships in the school’s area. If the school is selected to move forward in the process, Heart of America will make contact to indicate the next steps.