Starbucks and the Opportunity Finance Network partner to "Create Jobs for USA"

Ever wondered what you could do to help put Americans back to work? Well Starbucks Coffee and the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) have thought of one great way that you can. Purchase an "indivisible" wristband for a minimum of $5 in one of Starbuck's company-operated stores or online at createjobsforUSA.org and 100% of your money will go towards the "Create Jobs for USA Fund" at  OFN. OFN will award these funds to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that help finance community businesses.

Definitely a great partnership that will help address one of this issues contributing to unemployment in this economy - lack of banks lending to small businesses.  Americans can feel good about contributing because that small amount can really help create and sustain local jobs. We won't know the true impact of the program for a while but in the meantime, check out success stories on createjobsforUSA.org.

Colossal collaboration between DonorsChoose.org, the Wasserman Foundation, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and Starbucks Coffee to support cash strapped classrooms

The households of LAUSD students (starting this month) and customers of Los Angeles Starbucks Coffee shops (beginning later this winter) will receive gift cards which will be used to fund projects in LAUSD schools’ classrooms through DonorsChooseLA.org. How did this happen you ask?  The Wasserman Foundation, which has a long history of philanthropy in the education arena, donated $4 million dollars over the next 2 years towards the effort. Half will go towards gift cards and the other half will be in the form of a challenge grant in which the foundation will match donations to projects through the DonorsChooseLA.org website.

This idea is a very innovative and will likely bring much needed supplies to LAUSD classrooms. What’s so unique about this partnership, is allowing the community to participate through giving out gift cards. The whole project brings about the much needed “It takes a village to raise a child” mentality, one that has been lacking in today’s society.