Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced today it has awarded 26 grants totaling $314,000 to non-profit organizations dedicated to serving youth throughout the country. These organizations were selected for their commitment to providing educational programs that help at-risk youth develop the skills and confidence necessary to become responsible adults and community leaders.

“Staples Foundation for Learning’s mission is to teach, train and inspire youth to realize their full potential,” said Ron Sargent, president of Staples Foundation for Learning and chairman and chief executive officer of Staples, Inc. “We are committed to building relationships with organizations that provide youth from diverse backgrounds with the tools they need to be successful.”

Staples Foundation for Learning grant recipients include:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Venice, FL --- $10,000 to Decisions to Win, which provides at-risk students with intensive support to ensure they graduate from high school.
• Bottom Line, Jamaica Plain, MA ---$5,000 to College Access, which prepares low-income students to graduate from high school and enter college.
• Center for Summer Learning, Baltimore, MD --- $10,000 to National Summer Learning Day, which is an annual event promoting continued learning throughout the summer.

• Central Florida YMCA, Orlando, FL --- $10,000 to Teen Achievers, a college-readiness program that teaches low-income students academic, life and enrichment skills.
• Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, Carrboro, NC --- $10,000 to the Teacher Store, which enables teachers from disadvantaged school systems to obtain much needed school supplies.
• Citizen Schools, Boston, MA --- $15,000 to after-school programs that enable middle school students to participate in apprenticeships that involve skill building, teamwork and leadership development.
• Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School, New York, NY --- $10,000 to the Lincoln Center Institute Arts Program, which provides inner-city youth with high quality academic and arts education programming.
• Cradles to Crayons, Quincy, MA --- $10,000 to Ready for School, which ensures low-income youth are prepared to begin school with the necessary educational supplies.
• Crayons to Computers, Cincinnati, OH --- $15,000 to Push for Pencils (P4P), an annual back to school supply drive that provides teachers with critical, basic school supplies.
• Denver Zoological Foundation, Denver, CO --- $5,000 to the Red Apple Scholarship Fund, which enables low-income youth to learn about environmental conservation.
• Family & Children’s Center, South Bend, IN --- $5,000 to Raising a Reader, which targets low-income youth and helps them improve their literacy skills.
• Franklin Education Foundation, Franklin, MA --- $2,000 to Teacher Grants, which enables Franklin, MA, public school teachers in to provide students with engaging and innovative learning activities.
• Fund for Teachers, Houston, TX - $50,000 to the Teacher Grants program that allows educators to participate in educational enrichment activities that improve teaching methods and further student learning and engagement.

• Gold Crown Enrichment, Lakewood, CO --- $10,000 to The Art & Technology Enrichment program, which improves low-income youths’ academic performance and interest in school through art and technology classes.
• Jewish Family Services of MetroWest, Framingham, MA --- $10,000 to Reducing Achievement Gaps, which provides at-risk students with positive adult mentors who help improve their academic and personal success.
• Kids in Need Foundation, Dayton, OH --- $10,000 to Kids in Need Resources Centers, which offers teachers free supplies for their classrooms so disadvantaged students have access to the tools needed to learn.
• The NEA Foundation, Washington, DC - $50,000 to their Green Grants program, which enables teachers to request funds for environmentally focused projects.
• Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Boston, MA --- $10,000 to Young Entrepreneurs Project (YEP), which works with inner-city Boston public schools to provide career development training to students with and without disabilities.
• Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA --- $10,000 to the Community Partnership Program, which engages inner-city youth through educational museum exhibits that inspire creativity and learning.
• Project R.I.S.E., Braintree, MA --- $5,000 to the Respect, Integrity and Success through Education (R.I.S.E.) summer program, which increases the self-confidence and academic success of inner city youth.
• Reach Out & Read, Beloit, WI --- $2,000 to provide pediatricians throughout Beloit with new books for low-income children and advice for parents about the importance of reading.

• School to Work Council, Inc., Paris, KY --- $10,000 to Enterprise for Success, which provides students with practical career mentoring and experience to ensure they find meaningful employment after college.
• Squash Busters, Roxbury, MA --- $10,000 to the Experiential Learning Curriculum, which provides youth with educational experiences and community service projects that motivate them to become more engaged in their academic careers.
• Teach for America, Boston, MA --- $15,000 to support the expansion of Teach for America in Greater Boston and provide all children with the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
• Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, GA --- $5,000 to support educational programs that introduce disadvantaged youth to the arts and increase their understanding of culture and history.
• Youth Outreach Services, Chicago, IL --- $10,000 to Operation College Bound, which prepares low-income students to successfully graduate from high school and enter college.

About Staples Foundation for Learning

The mission of Staples Foundation for Learning, Inc. is to teach, train and inspire. Founded in 2002, the foundation has contributed nearly $15 million to national and local charities that provide educational opportunities and job skills for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Staples Foundation for Learning has also developed lasting relationships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Earth Force, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. In addition, Staples Foundation for Learning supports Ashoka, an organization that develops and supports social entrepreneurs around the world, in eight countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the United States. For more information about the foundation or how to apply for a grant, please visit www.staplesfoundation.org.

Staples, Inc.
Joy Errico, 508-253-7957
Joy.Errico@staples.com
or
Margaret Skrmetti, 781-559-0437
Margaret.Skrmetti@rfbinder.com