Thursday, August 18, 2011

Open Letter to Bill Gates: Help us Solve the Student Lending Crisis

Dear Mr. Gates:

You obviously care a great deal about education. I applaud you for that. As you know, Mr. Buffett has recently urged Congress to stop coddling the rich. Salon.com has a new challenge, 'The Patriotic Billionaire Challenge' too. We're hoping you sign up! 

I know that you and your wife, Melinda, donate millions and millions of dollars to various philanthropic projects. Why not funnel some of that money into projects that would help student loan debtors? You could donate the funds to AEM, which his a 501(c)(4). AEM raises public awareness about the student lending crisis, and lobbies congress. (I've worked with specific offices on the Hill, been involved with recent legislation for student debtors, etc. Your support would be enormously helpful).

Oh, and so you know, we're not asking to be coddled. We're not rich - far from it! - so we don't expect that. What do we want? We do want to play a role in shaping this country, and we're tired of waiting on the sidelines.

Outstanding student loan debt will hit $1 trillion. Billionaires could help the student lending crisis, and you could be one of them. If you were to help, you'd be adored! And AEM would appreciate it greatly. 

Just a thought. 

Sincerely,

Cryn Johannsen
Founder & Exec. Dir.
All Education Matters


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool! What a great letter. Hope you get a good response :o)

Cryn Johannsen said...

If there is any response, we should all be excited! :)

Hilary said...

That is a fabulous idea Cryn to write Mr. Gates. If you don't try, you will never know. Kudos for sending the letter.