In the last decade, a growing number of parents, alumni and corporations have been donating private money to public schools for a wide range of school equipment, educational supplies, artists-in-residence and accouterments that go beyond the traditional PTA  gifts and what  may  otherwise be outside the local school board’s spending plan.

Consultants estimate that more than 5,000 such foundations exist nationwide, roughly equal to one  out  of  every three school districts.  The foundations seem to thrive best in well-off towns, whose residents are eager and able to support the schools, and in distressed cities that can attract traditional grants aimed at easing poverty.

Schools’ Deep-Pocketed Partners, The New York Times, June 3, 2007