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Amazon donates $2 million grant to help Seattle Public Schools

By Patranya Bhoolsuwan
By Patranya Bhoolsuwan

SEATTLE — Amazon is opening its wallet to help the poorest kids in Seattle's public schools.

The e-commerce giant announced today it is donating $2 million to the Seattle-based nonprofit Alliance for Education.

The money would go to a grant called “Right Now Needs Fund” and it is meant to help meet the immediate needs for students in all Seattle Public Schools.

The funding would be divided so more money will be allotted to schools with higher needs, which include 31 Title 1 schools.

Aki Kurose Middle School is one of them and the principal, Mia Williams, told us this funding will make a big difference for her kids.

“I have 650 brilliant babies,” said Williams. “Anything that can help them shine and have a successful future is just amazing to have dollars to support them."

This grant is set up so that principals will have the flexibility to use it however they want.

It just has to help meet the students’ basic needs, which include things like food and school supplies.

“Teachers and school staff are often spending money out of their own pocket to support kids in these ways so these funds will make a tremendous difference,” said Alliance for Education President & CEO Lisa Chick.

We also reached out to Amazon and the company said this latest gift is part of its ongoing commitment to local education. In 2016, Amazon donated $10 million to UW’s Computer Science Program.

“Everybody has a part of stepping up and educating our future generations,” said Alice Shobe, Director of Amazon in Community. "So we are excited to contribute our piece to it, absolutely.”

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