Starbucks Coffee Company announced today a $1.5 million commitment over three years to Jumpstart, a national non-profit early education organization that helps preschoolers in low-income communities enter school with the skills they need to succeed. As the Official Growth Partner for Jumpstart, Starbucks commitment continues a partnership that began in 2001. Since that time, Jumpstart has tripled in size and has become one of the fastest growing non-profits in America.
To celebrate the renewed partnership, Jumpstart and Starbucks will host a learning festival at Arizona State University (ASU) today, where Jumpstart recently launched a program with support from Starbucks. Jumpstart and Starbucks will be joined by more than 200 children and their families from the Tempe community. “Encouraging early development of literacy skills is essential to the future of our communities,” says Jim Alling, president, Starbucks Coffee U.S. “Our partnership with Jumpstart not only allows us to make a direct impact on the children they serve, but also helps Jumpstart to expand the program throughout the country. We are proud to support an organization that shares our vision for inspiring hope and discovery among children.”
“Since 2001, Starbucks has been a partner in our mission to work toward the day every child in America enters school to succeed; a partner in our efforts to educate our communities about the value of investing in early literacy; and a partner in our belief that every child deserves a chance for success,” says Waldron. “We are excited to continue working with Starbucks to bring high quality learning experiences to preschool children across the country.”
Starbucks relationship with Jumpstart is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to literacy. As a growth sponsor, Starbucks provides critical funding to continue Jumpstart’s work with preschoolers, families, and college students as well as expand to new communities, such as Tempe, through a partnership with Arizona State University. Starbucks has helped Jumpstart expand from 20 locations in 2001 to 57 locations in 2005.
