KAUKAUNA — Carissa Holtz likes to think of the Carrot Project as a small nonprofit with very big goals.
Holtz founded the Carrot Project, located at 139 E. Second St. in Kaukauna, to provide resources and programs dedicated to finding ways to help children learn through traditional and non-traditional classrooms.
The organization currently is participating in their largest fundraising effort to date.
Through the Global Giving Foundation, the Carrot Project is raising $5,000 to provide STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programming in the greater Outagamie County for many children who otherwise would not have the opportunity because their families simply could not afford it.
“We have been working for six months to get approval to participate in the GlobalGiving fundraiser,” Holtz said. “ If we are successful at reaching at least 40 supporters and raise $5000 before March 31, we will be listed as a permanent non-profit on their site.”
GlobalGiving is the first and largest global crowdfunding community that connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country around the world.
They currently have raised pledges of more than $2,000 toward their $5,000 goal.
Holtz says it is important because if successful, it will give them access to more than 240 million potential donors.
“We do not qualify for many local grants and in order to keep our doors open, we need local support for this event,” Holtz said.
More from the Carrot Project fundraising description. Full details are at Gobal Giving HERE.
Challenge
The challenge with education is keeping ourselves ahead of the curve, and unfortunately our efforts are falling short. Schools are struggling to make the necessary changes fast enough to accommodate the changing landscapes, especially in technology. By 2021 we will have 4000 unfilled IT roles just in Wisconsin alone. The number of students who are able to have access to quality advanced learning programs has decreased due to family finances, creating a large educational gap.
Solution
We will be solving this problem by involving IT specialists, retired teachers, professionals and dedicated community members to ensure each child that applies will get FREE programming for as long as they need it to ensure success for whatever they see as their future endeavors. Allowing students access to advanced learning in the early stages of their education ensures that their experiences will forge a future that is well informed.
Long-term impact
The long-term effects will be in changing and enhancing a child’s future. By providing them opportunity to experience all aspects of education to the fullest they will gain perspective and appreciation for themselves, their community, their peers and the world as a whole. A learner is the sum of their experiences and by providing as many experiences as possible they can make informed decisions about the future.
