Dear Edutopia Friend,

We're here to change education.

That's what I tell people when they ask me what Edutopia is all about.

And as someone who cares about education in America, you know that even though it sounds simple, the task at hand can seem insurmountable at times.

That's why I'd like to invite you to make a special year-end tax-deductible donation to Edutopia today

. For every gift we receive between now and our December 31 deadline, we'll send a graduating College of Education student a free limited-edition copy of The Best of Edutopia Cool Schools: Project Learning.

Over the last year, Edutopia's audience has grown by more than 70%, and a big part of this growth is based on your recommendations to friends and colleagues. But with more than 3 million educators in the United States, there is still significant room to grow and we need your support

, just like any other nonprofit, to continue providing the necessary resources and ideas to prepare students for success.

In 2009, I'm proud to say that Edutopia had a breakthrough year. With the ongoing support of our members, here's how, together, we created positive change in education:

• We reached over half a million educators with our award-winning coverage and turn-key resources featuring K-12 schools, from Georgia to California, that use project-based learning, individualized learning keyed to multiple intelligences, social and emotional learning, technology integration, comprehensive assessment, and integrated studies.
• We launched an extensive video-rich series of digital profiles of kids learning in new ways with new media and how teachers and parents can effectively engage this generation.
• We offered more professional-development opportunities through special publications such as Ten Top Tips for Teaching with New Media and our ongoing webinar series with leading experts such as Linda Darling-Hammond from Stanford University.
• We're in the middle of launching a brand-new online community at Edutopia.org. Educators are creating profiles and connecting with colleagues to exchange ideas, lend support, and collaborate.
• We're making our materials available for you — whenever and wherever you are. Our free video archive on iTunes U continues to grow, and thousands of educators have joined us on Twitter and Facebook.

Supporting Edutopia with your tax-deductible year-end donation

— of whatever amount you can afford — is one simple way you can help our Foundation change education in 2010. 100% of your donation will be put toward our content and programming coverage as we grow our movement for a better, more effective, and meaningful approach to learning.

		Thanks for everything you do,
		George Lucas, Chairman The George Lucas Education Foundation Publisher of Edutopia

P.S.: As you take stock of what's truly important during this holiday season, I hope Edutopia and our movement to change education stands out. Thanks for your support

in 2009. I look forward to what's ahead in 2010.