In an event held at the Rex den on Saturday January 11, the Rex Organization and the Pro Bono Publico Foundation welcomed hundreds of Teach for America Corps Members and alums as well as others engaged in the transformation of New Orleans public schools. Foundation leaders awarded nearly $750,000 in grants, including $50,000 to support Teach for America’s critical work.

Grants were awarded to 24 individual schools and charter management organizations and 16 supporting organizations. Taylor Park, the NORD facility adjacent to the Rex den, received its third sponsorship grant.

The grants help assure that all of New Orleans’ children have access to excellent schools. More than 90% of New Orleans students now attend public charter schools. These schools, and organizations supporting their important work, have been the focus of PBPF’s investment, as well as the commitment of dozens of Rex members serving on their boards.

The Pro Bono Publico Foundation was formed by members of the Rex Organization as New Orleans recovered from post-Hurricane Katrina floods. Foundation giving, in its seventh grant cycle since 2007, now totals more than $2.4 million.

The 2014 grant total marks the third consecutive year Pro Bono Publico Foundation’s grants exceed half a million dollars. In 2012 and 2013 the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, thanks to the support of its donors, was able to award grants of approximately $545,000 each year.

The open house also highlights a winning combination for local schools in terms of support. Teach for America has been essential to the success of the charter school movement by staffing the city’s schools with at least 500 of its teachers.

Quick Facts:

• 2013-14 Grants total more than $740,000 and giving since 2007 totals more than $2.4 million
• 2013-14 grants awarded to 24 individual schools and charter management organizations and 16 supporting organizations
• Through a grant to the NORD Foundation, the PBPF continues to sponsor activities at Taylor Playground, adjacent to the Rex Den
• Through the generosity of the Harry Howard Foundation, the PBPF continues to develop a pilot program providing after-school academic and enrichment programs
• For more information on the Pro Bono Publico Foundation please visit the PBPF website at www.probonopublicofoundation.org
• For specific information on the PBPF 2013-14 Grant Cycle you may download the 2013-14 PBPF Fact Sheet.

The Rex Organization celebrated its ongoing commitment to the charter school movement in New Orleans when the Pro Bono Publico Foundation presented grants totaling $545,000 to a leaders of charter schools and other organizations supporting the transformation of New Orleans public schools.

At a reception held at the Rex den on Saturday, Jan. 12, Rex welcomed over 300 Teach for America Corps members and alums and honored them along with others working so effectively to assure New Orleans’ children can attend excellent schools.

Teach for America received its third grant from the PBPF. TFA has been essential to the success of the charter school movement by helping staff the city’s classrooms with 500 of its teachers. Kira Orange Jones, TFA’s Executive Director, thanked the Foundation for its gift and described the impact of the work done by the young educators gathered in the den.

The Rex Organization, through the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, is a leader among those in the community offering support for school reform. Thanks to the support of its donors the 2013 grant total matches the $545,000 awarded in 2012. Since its founding the PBPF has awarded over $1.6 million in grants.

Members of the Rex Organization formed the Pro Bono Publico Foundation in 2006 to help support the recovery of the city after Hurricane Katrina’s floods. Funds are raised primarily from Rex members, and the Foundation’s giving is focused on charter schools and supporting organizations.

New Orleans public schools have become a national model as it has transformed its failed public school system primarily through an emphasis on high-accountability, open-admission, high-standards charter schools. That effort has been successful through broad community support, helping to assure each of our children has the opportunity to attend an excellent school.

Rex has actively supported that effort, through volunteers serving on boards of schools and supporting organizations and through the Foundation’s grants.

This year, through the generous support of its donors, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation was able to award grants totaling almost $545,000. This is the fourth PBPF grant cycle, with the grant total growing each year. Last year’s grants totaled $320,000.

2011-2012 Report To Donors

This year, through the generous support of its donors, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation was able to award 25 grants totaling almost $350,000. Grants will support the continuing process of transforming New Orleans public schools, assuring that all of New Orleans’ children have access to excellent schools. Nearly 75% of New Orleans students now attend public charter schools, and standardized testing shows dramatic improvement in student performance. These schools, and organizations supporting their important work, have been the main focus of PBPF investment, as well as the commitment of dozens of Rex members serving on their boards.

Recipients of 2010-11 Pro Bono Publico Foundation Grants