Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation
Selects Transition Partners
GreatSchools and Professor Garfield Foundation to Inherit Learning Disability (LD)-Focused Web Content
The Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation announced today its intention to merge its award winning Schwab Learning websites with two nonprofit organizations, selected from an invitation only review process, to continue operations for SchwabLearning.org, dedicated to helping parents of children with learning and attention problems, and SparkTop.org, the first website designed exclusively
for 8—12 year olds who struggle with learning.
The Foundation recently announced that it will shift its focus from its operating program, Schwab Learning—a free direct service program with a twenty-year history of helping families of children with learning and attention problems— to concentrate on grants.
“In making this transition it was important to find partners who share our commitment to providing the best possible information and resources to the millions of families impacted by learning difficulties. We reached out to a select group of partners and ultimately selected two organizations who have the potential to reach even more parents and their kids who struggle with learning,” said Jodell Seagrave, managing director of Schwab Learning.
In a move that ensures LD resources and support reach an even wider range of parents, San Francisco-based GreatSchools will be the recipient of SchwabLearning.org content. GreatSchools, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving K- 12 education by inspiring parents to get involved, will also continue to support SchwabLearning. org’s community of parents of kids with LD.
By joining forces, GreatSchools will preserve Schwab Learning’s mission and high-quality offerings, while welcoming Schwab Learning parents into a community of more than 33 million Americans each committed to school and life success for their children.
PROFESSOR GARFIELD FOUNDATION TO ACQUIRE SPARKTOP.ORG
SparkTop.org content will transition to the Professor Garfield Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Garfield creator Jim Davis, committed to engaging children in learning. A strong desire to expand content for children who struggle with learning, existing partnerships with Schwab Learning and a longstanding respect for the work of the Professor Garfield Foundation were key factors in this selection. The transition of SparkTop.org into the Professor Garfield Foundation combines two highly acclaimed resources in children’s media and literacy. A recognized leader in education, Jim Davis and his powerful Garfield brand will now directly support success for kids with learning disabilities.
“One of the unexpected joys of being in this line of work has been hearing from the parents of children who learned to read thanks to the Garfield comic strip,” said Davis. “After nearly 30 years of doing the strip, we’ve heard this often enough that we’re convinced the strip is a great teaching tool. The simple combination of words and pictures stimulates learning. That’s why we created the Professor Garfield Foundation and the Professor Garfield website. We all learn in different ways, or as SparkTop.org says, No two brains spark alike.’ It’s very gratifying that the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation are electing Garfield to carry on their vision. It’s a responsibility we take seriously. It will encourage us to redouble our efforts to help kids grow and learn.”#
