Help Re-Open The Swap
Donation protected
Our Story
On October 15, 2019, the Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap ( "The Swap") announced it would be closing its doors due to insufficient funding.
The Swap has served Baltimore City for five years by bringing $700,000+ worth of free instructional supplies to Baltimore-area teachers, homeschoolers, child-care workers, and youth development organizations. With the planned departure of The Swap's founder and Executive Director Melissa Badeker, The Swap’s Board of Directors recognized that budgetary concerns would make it difficult to find a replacement to lead The Swap into its next chapter of serving Baltimore's education community.
Within 24 hours of our announcement, The Swap's story went viral throughout Baltimore. The response has been loud and consistent: People want The Swap to remain open.
Our Need
While it was a difficult decision to close The Swap, the Board of Directors hopes it will be a temporary step to a larger solution. The Board remains committed to exploring opportunities for reopening The Swap in 2020. Over the next few months, the Board will meet with potential funders and community partners to discuss ways in which The Swap may return to serving educators throughout the Baltimore area.
The Board must raise $60,000 to cover certain expenses during our operational inactive stage and to cover the first three (3) months of resumed operations. Inactive stage expenses are limited primarily to insurance costs and storage fees for our shelving units and Supply Mobile truck. The bulk of the raised funds would be used to cover costs associated with re-opening, such as rent, salaries, and other general operating expenses.
Additionally, during our inactive stage, The Swap will continue to apply for grants, as well as examine critical restructuring goals that will allow us to operate in a more efficient and sustainable fashion.
Your donation today will help us #SaveTheSwap and rebuild a stronger Swap for tomorrow and into the years to come.
More Details
* The Swap will be open to members-only "shopping" from now until October 31 during our regular Swap shopping hours
* If inventory remains in November, The Swap will be open to the general public
* Donations of new and gently used materials are no longer being accepted.
* For more information about The Swap - or to talk about larger funding commitments or partnership opportunities - visit our website, teachersupplyswap.org .
On October 15, 2019, the Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap ( "The Swap") announced it would be closing its doors due to insufficient funding.
The Swap has served Baltimore City for five years by bringing $700,000+ worth of free instructional supplies to Baltimore-area teachers, homeschoolers, child-care workers, and youth development organizations. With the planned departure of The Swap's founder and Executive Director Melissa Badeker, The Swap’s Board of Directors recognized that budgetary concerns would make it difficult to find a replacement to lead The Swap into its next chapter of serving Baltimore's education community.
Within 24 hours of our announcement, The Swap's story went viral throughout Baltimore. The response has been loud and consistent: People want The Swap to remain open.
Our Need
While it was a difficult decision to close The Swap, the Board of Directors hopes it will be a temporary step to a larger solution. The Board remains committed to exploring opportunities for reopening The Swap in 2020. Over the next few months, the Board will meet with potential funders and community partners to discuss ways in which The Swap may return to serving educators throughout the Baltimore area.
The Board must raise $60,000 to cover certain expenses during our operational inactive stage and to cover the first three (3) months of resumed operations. Inactive stage expenses are limited primarily to insurance costs and storage fees for our shelving units and Supply Mobile truck. The bulk of the raised funds would be used to cover costs associated with re-opening, such as rent, salaries, and other general operating expenses.
Additionally, during our inactive stage, The Swap will continue to apply for grants, as well as examine critical restructuring goals that will allow us to operate in a more efficient and sustainable fashion.
Your donation today will help us #SaveTheSwap and rebuild a stronger Swap for tomorrow and into the years to come.
More Details
* The Swap will be open to members-only "shopping" from now until October 31 during our regular Swap shopping hours
* If inventory remains in November, The Swap will be open to the general public
* Donations of new and gently used materials are no longer being accepted.
* For more information about The Swap - or to talk about larger funding commitments or partnership opportunities - visit our website, teachersupplyswap.org .
Organizer
Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap
Organizer
Baltimore, MD