48in48 Nonprofit Spotlight: Learning in Color
How Learning in Color started
When Founder and CEO Carol Bowman first started Learning in Color seven years ago, she had gotten the idea from working as a teacher with special needs. Her background coming from psychology, she had done plenty of research on color’s impact on learning. “I asked myself, why aren’t we being intentional about setting up colors that are conducive to learning?” she remarked. Next thing she knew, Learning in Color became a registered 501(c)(3) with a dedicated board.
Knowing how many teachers craved more colorful classrooms for their students, along with contractors and volunteers who wanted to help, Learning in Color has started a community hub for both parties to get involved.
Where they are now
Now a seasoned non-profit, Learning in Color’s overarching mission remains to build literacy rich and economically empowered communities by increasing the number of students from vulnerable populations who are graduating from high school college and career ready.
While the organization still paints classrooms, they have broadened their initiatives further. They do “climate packages” where they help paint school hallways, decorate windows, and plenty more. One such project works through a public art program with the Atlanta Mayor’s Office called Elevate Atlanta. From now until the end of October, the program will feature art projects that artists and volunteers have worked hard on. Through the Elevate Atlanta grant, they can now do an extended mural project at Atlanta’s own Paul Dunbar Elementary School (Taking place October 29-31). They have also partnered with Hands On Atlanta to gather at a volunteer opportunity where a group of volunteers can paint a portion of a 6×12 foot mural.
Any artist, any level
Painters of any level get involved, as they make up a hybrid of professional contractors or dedicated volunteers. Thanks to funding from programs like Elevate Atlanta, they can help provide funding for professional contractors.
Want to get involved yourself? You can go to Learning in Color’s partner, Hands On Atlanta, and look up their volunteer opportunities.
To give back, they have another fundraising initiative called Art in Schools which is featured on Learning in Color’s new home page, aiming to match a gift of $10,000 that the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs had recently granted. The campaign ends September 30, 2021.
A history with 48in48
This month’s nonprofit spotlight might feature our first two-time nonprofit participant in our events! Because they had participated in one of our 2018 events, Carol felt hesitant to apply for the Social Justice Event. Let it be known, however, that nonprofits can most definitely re-apply, especially after 3 years! We were so glad that they decided to get involved again and revamp a fresh new site with us. “At these events, I had the opportunity to see that 48in48’s initiative is not just about doing something that’s good, it’s something that’s impactful,” Bowman remembered.
Last, but not least…
Carol wanted to highlight one of her day one supporters: Northside Tool Rental. This organization supplies all of the resources from scaffolding to ladders to Learning in Color. They not only donate the resources but set them up and helping the volunteers.
See a video about their partnership here.
