McGraw-Hill, Writers to the Rescue and MOUSE

The Project

Writers to the Rescue, The McGraw-Hill Companies' pro bono program that donates the professional writing, editing, and graphic design services of employee volunteers to nonprofit organizations, has been working with MOUSE since 2004 to help develop communication materials such as annual reports and gala invitations.

The Opportunity

Today's knowledge-based economy favors those with a thorough understanding of technology, which is best cultivated at a young age. Everyone deserves access to computers and the internet from a young age to set them up for success, but many urban schools are not yet equipped to meet the technology needs of their students.

has stepped in to serve and empower tens of thousands of underserved youth in five states by leading the integration of technology in teaching and learning in their schools. To best fulfill its innovative and important mission, the organization needed help producing a high-quality annual report - an expensive but helpful tool with the strong potential to reach new partners and funders.

McGraw-Hill's Pro Bono Investment

The McGraw Hill Companies recognized that MOUSE needed help communicating to external stakeholders. In 2004, Writers to the Rescue (WTR) stepped in. After first helping edit annual reports in 2004 and 2005, a team of employees skilled in editing and design worked in collaboration with MOUSE to produce a professional annual report for 2006-2007 at a quality that the nonprofit could not otherwise have afforded. They also worked with MOUSE to design an invitation to the Technology & Education Gala 2007.

In addition to the team's valuable pro bono investment, WTR leveraged their printing relationships to get a good deal for the report and invitation, and the McGraw Hill Companies offered MOUSE a $1000 grant to absorb much of the overall cost.

The Impact

MOUSE received a high-caliber annual report to send to external stakeholders. This helped increase visibility and communicate a clear vision to potential partners and funders.

About the Client

Since its founding in 1997, MOUSE has spearheaded efforts to integrate technology into the New York City school system. The organization pioneers innovative school programs that incorporate technology in teaching and learning, which empowers students and schools to succeed in today's knowledge-based economy.

About the Company

The McGraw-Hill Companies drives the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek and McGraw-Hill Education. Writers to the Rescue (WTR) is The McGraw-Hill Companies' signature pro bono program. It provides nonprofit organizations with the services of writers, editors, and communication and public relations specialists from The McGraw-Hill Companies on a volunteer basis. WTR volunteers help to develop and support the infrastructure of nonprofit organizations by assisting in the production of materials that fit within the nonprofit's larger communication, fundraising, and/or capacity-building strategies.