The Pittsburgh Promise announces the ‘School Spirit Slam’

PITTSBURGH, May 17, 2010 – The Pittsburgh Promise will launch the School Spirit Slam, a special 2 week fundraising effort focused on the community beginning on May 17.

 The Promise is encouraging individuals to show their support for the program during the final weeks of the organization’s second year fundraising effort.  The organization will present their second report card to the public detailing key information on the program at a public meeting on July 1, 2010 at the O’Reilly Theater.

The School Spirit Slam takes place from May 17-28 at www.PittsburghGives.org, the on-line research and giving portal of The Pittsburgh Foundation. Any credit card donation of $25 or more will qualify for a match by UPMC of $1.00 for every $1.50 contributed to the Promise.

The School Spirit Slam adds extra excitement to the fundraising campaign, by allowing individuals to honor a school with their donation.  Selections can be an alma mater, a future school that a student plans to attend, or just a favorite collegiate team.  Participants make their choice by entering the school’s name under special instructions when making a donation. 

The Promise will track the leading schools by contributions on a special Slam leader board also available on-line.  The leader board will be updated daily and show the top ten colleges, universities, or trade schools.  The Promise plans to honor the top school on the site on June 1.

“We are encouraged by the growing support of the Promise throughout our community,” said Saleem Ghubril, executive director of The Pittsburgh Promise.  “Through this program, our region is taking responsibility to create a better educated and prepared workforce, and consequently improving prospects for our young people and for sustainable economic growth.”

The Pittsburgh Promise program was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation in December 2007 with a $100 million commitment from UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center).   During its first two years, the Promise has invested more than $8 million in educational scholarships.  The Class of 2010 is expected to add approximately an additional 750 students to this scholarship initiative.

The Pittsburgh Promise has three long term goals: (1) mitigate and reverse population declines in the City of Pittsburgh and enrollment declines in Pittsburgh Public Schools; (2) grow the high school completion rates, college readiness, and post high school success of all students in Pittsburgh Public Schools and (3) deploy a well-prepared and energized work force and an eager core of community supporters.

For further information, contact:
John Ellis
Vice President for Communications
412-394-2647 
Ellisj@pghfdn.org