Even at $1.5 billion, foundation giving to elementary and secondary schools is still just a fraction of the overall $500 billion price tag for U.S. public education.   But giving to education is a dynamic and growing field, as shown in the Foundation Center's Focus on Funding for  Education.   Teachers might not be aware of the  programs to help their schools.   Here are a few:

• Donorschoose.org connects donors with classrooms online
• Crayons to Classrooms is a newly-founded Dayton organization that supplies classrooms in need
• Kids in Need Foundation is a Dayton-based organization that makes grants to classrooms across the nation
• Martha Holden Jennings Foundation was founded in 1959 for the benefit of Ohio schools and teachers

There are many more!   Please contact me if you would like to see a  longer list.   Or check out www.grantwrangler.com

For college students, "service is cool again," reports the Christian Science Monitor.   In the past, college grads may have found it  difficult to accept lower-paying nonprofit  positions because of their student loan obligations.   Young  adults interested in nonprofit careers can now look into the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.