Some amazing statistics (and a call to action) from Wendy Kopp:

Dear friends:

A few weeks ago, I shared some recent developments regarding Teach For America's federal funding for 2011, which is critical to our work. Now I'm writing with a short update on our progress to date and to share some additional ways for you to get involved.

We've just finished reading the applications to Teach For America this year, and they represent an extraordinary and diverse group of people-nearly 47,000 people, including 20 percent of Spelman seniors, 10 percent of Morehouse seniors, 7 percent of seniors from Michigan, 12 percent of all Ivy league seniors, and 25 and 20 percent of all African American and Latino Ivy League seniors, respectively. We won't be able to accept many of the incredible people who we would have accepted any other year-people who we all want and need teaching children next year.

In this context, the main limitation we're facing to expanding our impact is financial. Securing a reliable stream of federal funding is critical to our growth. Decisions made in D.C. this spring will determine the scale and scope of our impact in 2011 and beyond.

Earlier this month, with help from supporters like you, our executive directors and Government Affairs team connected directly with dozens of Members of Congress to build support for a $50 million federal appropriation for Teach For America in FY11. At the same time, nearly 1,000 people called their Members of Congress to ask them to support our budget request. In the end, 71 Representatives signed a letter of support, and there was a direct positive relationship between the number of calls a Representative received and the likelihood that he or she signed our letter. The results were inspiring and encouraging-but there is more work to do.

Now our campaign moves to the Senate. Again, we'd like your help connecting directly with Senators, particularly relevant appropriators. You can also participate in and help promote our grassroots campaign, which now includes the ability to directly e-mail your Senators to ask for their support.

Thanks for all you have done to support this crucial campaign, and for all you do to support our corps members and alumni in their work to expand educational opportunity in communities nationwide. Please drop me a note anytime with any questions.

Best,

Wendy

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Key Members of Congress

Senate

LHHS Subcommittee 
Democrats
Tom Harkin, IA (chairman)
Daniel Inouye, HI
Herb Kohl, WI
Patty Murray, WA
Mary Landrieu, LA
Richard Durbin, IL
Jack Reed, RI
Mark Pryor, AR
Arlen Specter, PA

Republicans
Thad Cochran, MS (ranking member)
Judd Gregg, NH
Kay Bailey Hutchison, TX
Richard Shelby, AL
Lamar Alexander, TN  

Leadership and Other Key Members 
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Majority Leader
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Democratic Senate Campaign Committee Chair
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Republican Senate Campaign Committee Chair
Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member, HELP Committee