My Nonprofit Reviews
Ann Danner
Review for RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), San Jose, CA, USA
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 and have led two Capital Campaigns, chaired the board and supported all efforts. RAFT is one of the best nonprofits I've ever seen based on it's mission and exciting vision, plus it's creativity in executing that mission. In addition, it is managed in a fiscally responsible manner, enabling a reserve of at least a year's worth of expenses.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The many teachers I know are so enthusiastic about RAFT that it appears to sell itself. A friend who runs a large foundation said, "It seems like RAFT sells itself."
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way for more teachers to benefit from it.
Review for RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching), San Jose, CA, USA
I'm a long-time board member of RAFT, having heard of the idea when Mary Simon first thought of starting a nonprofit that would enable teachers to use materials from community businesses to implement hands-on math, science and art projects in their classrooms. When Mary first came to me, I was running a management support organization called the Nonprofit Development Center, helping nonprofit staff and boards to improve their management and leadership skills. We at the NDC thought Mary's idea was so good that we helped her in every way we could to learn what she needed to know to run a nonprofit (Mary was a math teacher by profession). RAFT is now one of the most successful nonprofits in the San Jose area, having set its sights in expanding to reach all educators in the Bay Area, then California and finally nationally. It will happen because of one person's amazing vision and dedication to supporting and enabling excellent teachers and teaching. The beneficiaries are the children who, as we all know, are the future of the country.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
begin to impact the quality of education on a broader scale, replicating the concept in othe rcommunities.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
