RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching)
TOP-RATED 2010
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Target demographics: Pre-K through 12th grade teachers. Many children learn best through the exercise of tactile and kinesthetic senses. RAFT provides hands-on teaching tools for over 800,000 students throughout the Bay Area.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 10,000 teachers throughout the Bay Area
Geographic areas served: Greater San Francisco Bay Area with affiliates in Sacramento, CA and Denver, CO
Mission:
RAFT (Resource Area For Teaching) believes that hands-on teaching is the best way for students to learn. RAFT transforms surplus materials donated by local businesses into interactive learning experiences for students in math, science, technology and art, providing teachers and community groups with creative tools to enhance education and promote hands-on learning.
Results:
RAFT is an innovative nonprofit (501c3) pursuing the advancement of hands-on learning in our schools. It was founded in San Jose, California in 1994 as the creation of Mary Simon, who continues to lead the organization.
The RAFT programs serve 10,000 teacher members at the two sites. The organization operates on a $3 million annual budget used to operate programs and subsidize teachers, providing needed tools for teaching, and professional development opportunities.
* Hundreds of Innovative Idea Sheets, tied to CA state standards are posted on the RAFT web site,
* 50,000 classroom kits (assembled by volunteers) are provided each year for state-standard aligned activities.
The RAFT programs serve 10,000 teacher members at the two sites. The organization operates on a $3 million annual budget used to operate programs and subsidize teachers, providing needed tools for teaching, and professional development opportunities.
* Hundreds of Innovative Idea Sheets, tied to CA state standards are posted on the RAFT web site,
* 50,000 classroom kits (assembled by volunteers) are provided each year for state-standard aligned activities.
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Annabeth Jameson
01/30/12
hi i would like to say that the website i used was awsome and gave me alot of information, but i didnt even get the website for RAFT. i wish i could...does anyone have RAFTs website?? so desprite...this is a school assingment... i would really appreceate the help!! by the way sorry for anything ...
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Review from CharityNavigator
ccanova3
01/03/12
I love this place so much! It’s an excellent resource for affordable hands-on educational activities that I can do with my kids. As a homeschooler with three kids I have a very limited budget and RAFT provides great materials and engaging lessons to work with. If you’re a teacher and haven’t ...
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Review from CharityNavigator
Ann Danner
05/24/11
From the very beginning of RAFT, when it was an idea in Mary Simon's wonderful brain, until today when we're working on ways to make the RAFT magic available to the entire world, I've been an enthusiastic, willing participant in everything RAFT does. I've been on the board almost since the beginning...
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