Best In Class Teacher Grants

Welcome to the Kids In Need Foundation:

Kids In Need Foundation and LOFT Launch Best In Class Teacher Grants
Teachers may log on to www.kinf.org beginning October 3 to apply

DAYTON, OHIO – October 13, 2011 – The Kids In Need Foundation, a national,
non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to
economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers,
announces its third year partnering with LOFT, to support the Kids In Need
Teacher Grants program. LOFT, known for feminine, versatile, stylish and
affordable fashion, will provide the grant from the company’s LOFT Loves
Teachers program for approximately 100 teachers, so they may purchase
supplies needed to conduct innovative projects in their classrooms.

Funding from $100 to $500 is available for original classroom projects.
Grant requests may be submitted online at www.kinf.org between October 3
and December 9, 2011.

“The Teacher Grants program recognizes the creativity of teachers, as well
as alleviating the need for teachers to reach into their own pockets to
pay for materials to do special projects,” said Dave Smith, executive
director of the Kids In Need Foundation. “We are proud to partner with
LOFT Loves Teachers on this Best In Class Grants program, which allows
teachers to create innovative experiences in their own classrooms.”

LOFT Loves Teachers is dedicated to honoring the daily commitment teachers
make in and out of the classroom and the intricate role they play in
children’s lives. To further teachers’ efforts, LOFT has pledged $50,000
to the Kids In Need Foundation in support of the LOFT Best In Class
Grants.
“Our brand is committed to supporting educators in their efforts to enrich
the lives of our nation's children. LOFT is proud to continue our dynamic
partnership with the Kids in Need Foundation through the LOFT Best In
Class Grants, dedicated to providing teachers with necessary classroom
tools.” said Deborah Cavanagh, SVP, LOFT Brand Marketing

Kids In Need is encouraging teachers to register for LOFT’s teacher
appreciation program at LOFTLovesTeachers.com and learn about all the
perks LOFT offers educators, including an everyday 15% discount on full
price merchandise, exclusive sweepstakes, style guides just for teachers,
and more!

LOFT believes teachers should be honored every day; as a special thanks,
LOFT is celebrating LOFT Teacher Appreciation Week, in stores, from
October 11 through October 16. The entire week, teachers will receive 25%
off full price purchases, 10% above the everyday discount, when they shop
with their Teacher ID. Additionally, from October 3 through November 3,
educators can enter for a chance to win a LOFT Loves Teachers makeover by
becoming a LOFT Fan on Facebook. LOFT will travel to the winning teacher’s
hometown and give her and nine of her fellow co-workers a head-to-toe LOFT
wardrobe makeover and school supplies for their classrooms donated by the
Kids In Need Foundation. For official rules and to enter, visit LOFT on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/LOFT.

“The purpose of the Kids In Need Foundation is to get free school supplies
into the hands of kids who need them,” said Dave Smith. “The materials
necessary to do these exceptional projects would not be available to
students if it were not for the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program and
the companies that sponsor it, so we are greatly appreciative of LOFT’s
participation.”

About the Kids In Need Foundation
The Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) charitable
organization with offices in Dayton, Ohio, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Founded in 1995, the Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is
prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally
to students most in need. The Kids In Need National Network of Resource
Centers includes 25 facilities where teachers from low-income schools go
to obtain free school supplies for their students. In addition, two Kids
In Need Teacher Grant programs provide K-12 educators with funding to
provide innovative learning experiences for students. The Kids In Need
Foundation has distributed more than $350 million in school supplies since
its founding, directly benefiting 1.6 million students and 100,000
teachers annually, and has awarded $1.2 million in grants to teachers.
Kids In Need has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for
three consecutive years, indicating that it operates in a fiscally
responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America. For more
information, visit www.kinf.org. Follow Kids In Need Foundation on
Twitter, http://twitter.com/kidsinneed

About LOFT
At LOFT, we believe the best relationships are BUILT ON TRUST. Well, that
and an amazing wardrobe. We became a TRUSTED PERSONAL STYLIST by
connecting with women on a GENUINE LEVEL – equal parts expert, confidante
and friend who tells it like it is. We give her fashion advice, ideas and
inspiration that make her style aspirations attainable. We believe in
offering VERSATILE, ACCESIBLE and AFFORDABLE fashion with undeniably
FEMININE appeal, special and unexpected DETAILS, and a flattering FIT.

LOFT operates over 500 stores across the United States and o