Kohl's Cares Offers a Chance at $500,000 for Schools

After a spring of hard-to-stomach budget cuts and job eliminations, Maplewood and South Orange residents have the chance to raise some money for their schools with a click of the mouse.

Kohl's Cares for Kids, sponsored by the department store with the same name, is giving away $10 million to schools across the country. Twenty schools will receive $500,000 each through the campaign on Facebook. And to get the money, a school needs the most votes and the best ideas. Voting ends September 3, 2010.

Some South Orange-Maplewood public schools already have some ideas and votes—such as Columbia High School, South Orange Middle School, Clinton Elementary and Seth Boyden Elementary—but they need more votes while other schools need ideas and votes.

There's a long way to go—the top schools on the site already have over 15,000 votes. People can vote up to five times per school with the 20 votes the application creates for them.

Once someone votes for their school, they can submit an idea (including a video) on how the school should spend the money. If the school wins the grant, they are not obligated to use the ideas although it is encouraged. But the money must be spent in the following ways: acquisition; construction or renovation of a school facility; efforts focused on curriculum, including math, science, reading, language arts, music, art, athletics, physical education and technology; books; supplies; equipment; and teacher salaries needed to create, expand or reinstate these programs.

To access the Kohl's Cares application on Facebook, click here.