(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the first day of distance learning at the District’s public schools, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a new DC Education Equity Fund. The fund is a collaboration between Education Forward DC, the DC Public Education Fund, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and will assist with providing resources and support to students, educators, and schools during distance learning. The fund will be used to increase access to internet access and purchase digital devices.

“The goal for all of us is to keep our students safe, engaged, and learning,” said Mayor Bowser. “We are grateful for everyone in our community who is stepping up during these unprecedented times – students, families, and community partners. We will be learning together, and we will get through this together.”

Residents can learn more about the Fund and how to give at dcedequity.org. The funds received will be used for:

• Ensuring students’ basic needs are being met so they are ready to learn
• Providing students with internet and device access
• Enabling students to have a successful transition when schools reopen with additional supports and learning resources

A total of $1.1 million has been raised for the Fund from the following donors:

• A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation
• CityBridge Education
• CityBridge Foundation
• The City Fund
• Terry and Lindsay Eakin
• Education Forward DC
• The Lois and Richard England Family Foundation
• The Andrew and Julie Klingenstein Family Fund
• Joseph E. Robert Jr. Charitable Trust, G. David Fensterheim, Trustee

For the latest information and resources on the District’s COVID-19 response, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.