For immediate release: August 10, 2007

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF INASMUCH FOUNDATION RECEIVES NATIONAL KIPP AWARD

(Oklahoma City, OK) August 10, 2007--- The KIPP Foundation awarded Robert J. Ross, President and CEO of Inasmuch Foundation, the 2007 "Beyond Z" Award. The award, in the tradition of the Dr. Seuss book titled On Beyond Zebra, honors a member of the school community who goes above and beyond for the benefit of children. Ross was one of two recipients across the country to receive the award and was honored for his untiring efforts on behalf of KIPP Reach College Prep Charter School in Oklahoma City.

Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder of KIPP, said, "Bob Ross is a shining example of what community leaders can do to support ideas that are working well in public education and help those ideas grow and prosper. We are so fortunate to have people like Bob involved in our Oklahoma City school, and he is one important reason that KIPP REACH has awesome student achievement."

The Inasmuch Foundation was created by Edith Kinney Gaylord in 1982 to assist charitable and educational organizations. The Inasmuch Foundation has been one of KIPP Reach’s biggest supporters, donating over a quarter of a million dollars to date.

"Bob has given our students opportunities to participate in endeavors that have enhanced their educational experience. We are very fortunate and grateful to have his support as we help kids in Oklahoma City climb the mountain to college," said KIPP Reach Principal Tracy McDaniel.

The award was presented at the KIPP School Summit held in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 2. The weeklong national conference brought together over 1300 school leaders, teachers and staff members from KIPP schools across the country for professional development and networking opportunities.

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized nationally for our efforts in Oklahoma City with KIPP. It is especially gratifying for us to know that all of the hard work has paid off with KIPP graduates attending the finest college preparatory high schools in the nation.  Clearly, this newly chartered school is having a tremendous impact on our community.  We pledge to continue our support and hope others will join us in making sure the success at KIPP continues and becomes a model for other schools," said Bob Ross.

KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) was co-founded by Teach For America alumni Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin in Houston, Texas, in 1994.  A year later, Feinberg opened KIPP Academy Middle School in Houston, and Levin returned to New York to open KIPP Academy in the South Bronx.  Since then, KIPP has grown into a national network of 57 public schools in 17 states and Washington, DC serving over 14,000 students.  Nationally, 80 percent of KIPP alumni have matriculated to college.  More than 80 percent of KIPP students are low-income and 95 percent are African American or Hispanic/Latino.  For more information, visit www.kipp.org.

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