Dear Friend,

Last week I congratulated you for earning enough money to allow you to give generously to deserving non-profit organizations.  As I told you then, I hired a high tech firm to crunch the data from my 5,000 person mailing list.  Well, one person (not you) was outraged that I had spent my money invading the privacy of friends and others.

LIGHTEN UP!  THAT WAS A JOKE! 

I did not spend my own money to dig into your personal space.  I used a gift certificate given to me by a friend in Silicon Valley.  And, by the way, it wasn’t all that expensive.

THAT’S ANOTHER JOKE!  Invasive data-crunching is very expensive.  It actually costs a surprising amount per person.  But it’s worth it because now I can sell the information to marketing firms, which means that I may end up making a profit, a nice way to end the year, I’d say.

THAT’S ANOTHER JOKE!  I will barely break even selling your data.  My data-cruncher told me that only 1,271 of you are capable of making ‘significant’ donations, and, while those names go for big bucks, the rest aren’t worth anything.  The data-cruncher added that 79 of the people on my list never donate, and so he’s given their data to hundreds of obscure non-profits, like that group that provides seeing eye dogs for blind dogs—just so their email boxes will always be full.

THAT’S ANOTHER JOKE!  Nothing preceding this sentence is true, just silly stuff to remind you that ‘Giving Season’ ends tomorrow at midnight, the last gasp of 2019.  Below are some organizations worthy of your consideration, IMHO:

1. If you want to help education reporters do a better job:

THE EDUCATION WRITERS ASSOCIATION

THE HECHINGER REPORT

CHALKBEAT

COALITION OF PUBLIC INDEPENDENT CHARTER SCHOOLS (CPICS)   This fledgling organization representing thousands of so-called ‘Mom and Pop’ charter schools is determined to rescue the charter movement from its predators and its diminished reputation. (Full disclosure: I have been involved in its formation.)

PRO PUBLICA

EDSOURCE

2.  If you care about teachers and children’s learning environments:

THE NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION   Years ago the pushback against so-called ‘School Reform’ was little more than Diane Ravitch with a megaphone. No longer!  Diane and Anthony Cody created NPE, now led by powerhouse Carol Burris.  Remarkable story….

FAIRTEST

AERO (Alternative Education Resource Organization)

3.  Your local public library, your NPR station, and your PBS station are all worthy of consideration…..

Just to be clear, the only information I have about you and the others on my list is your name, your email, and perhaps a phone number.  (Well, in some cases I also have your social security number and bank routing number, but that’s about it….nothing to worry about…..)

Happy New Year, and Happy Giving….

John