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Be A Founder. 
Build a stronger Community. 

Public school funding doesn’t always cover everything students and teachers need to succeed. That’s why the NACS Education Foundation officially launched on February 10, 2026—to bridge the gap and strengthen educational opportunities across our schools.

As a community-driven nonprofit, the Foundation exists to connect local generosity to real, immediate needs across our district—supporting classrooms, empowering educators, and ensuring every student has the tools and opportunities to thrive.

Our founding year is about setting the standard for what’s possible when a community invests together in its schools.

Why the Founding Campaign Matters

The Founding Campaign recognizes the first group of donors who are helping launch the NACS Education Foundation and shape its earliest impact.

The Founding Campaign is essential to setting our first year programs and goals. They make it possible to:

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  • Respond quickly to unmet student needs

  • Relieve teachers from paying out of pocket for essential resources

  • Expand access to innovative, student-centered learning experiences

  • Build shared resources that strengthen connection across schools and families

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These inaugural contributions establish the programs, partnerships, and momentum that will carry the Foundation forward for years to come. 

Mission In Action

READY

Purpose: Provide essential support so students are ready to learn.  
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Students learn best when their basic needs are met. This pillar focuses on removing barriers that impact attendance, focus, and well-being, ensuring students arrive at school prepared to succeed.

Example Projects

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  1. School-based care closets - Stocked with hygiene products, hair care essentials, shoes, coats, socks, gloves, and other critical items

  2. School snack programs - Individually packaged or bulk snacks for buildings with the highest need

  3. Back-to-School Readiness Kits - Supplies to help students start the year prepared

  4. Laundry and Hygiene Access Partnerships - Community partnerships to support student dignity and consistency

  5. Boomerang Backpacks - Annual financial support to sustain and expand the program

IGNITE

Purpose: Lighting a fire for the joy of learning.
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Public funding covers the basics, but innovation, enrichment, and future-ready learning often depend on community investment. This pillar funds experiences and programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and real-world learning—helping develop lifelong learners.

Example Projects

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  1. Shared Resource Library – Centralized, district-wide access to books, musical instruments, STEM kits, manipulatives, and other high-impact materials

  2. Mobile STEM Lab – Development, planning, and execution of mobile science and technology learning experiences

  3. Author Visits – Literacy-focused school visits that inspire creativity and a love of reading

  4. Outdoor Learning Labs – Nature-based learning environments that extend the classroom.

  5. Creator Labs / Makerspaces – Maker-focused learning spaces equipped with tools and technology

  6. Student Ambassador or Internship - Engage students in philanthropy work and non-profit leadership.

ELEVATE

Purpose: Supporting teachers with the resources and opportunities that help them elevate their teaching to the highest potential.

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Teachers should not be expected to fund their classrooms out of their own pockets. This pillar directly supports educators through resources, tools, and professional growth opportunities that strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes.​

Example Projects

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  1. Classroom and School Grants - Funding for innovative classroom ideas and school-wide initiatives

  2. Scholarships – Optional professional development scholarships for teachers.

  3. Teacher Supply Store - Free or low cost classroom supplies, decor, etc

  4. Teacher Appreciation – Bimonthly giveaways, recognition awards, business-partnered incentives. 

CONNECT

Purpose: Creating a more vibrant and connected community.
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This pillar strengthens relationships between schools, families, and the broader community through inclusive, low-barrier events and shared experiences.

Example Projects

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  1. Community Event Resource Library - Shared access to event equipment such as outdoor movie screens, photo booths, sound systems, microphones, game night kits, STEM night kits, and more

  2. Makers Market - A district-wide opportunity for students to sell and showcase what they create—encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship (not a foundation fundraiser)

  3. Volunteer Days - Business and community partner engagement in school cleanups, back-to-school preparation days, playground installations, and similar efforts

  4. Non-Fundraising Social Events - Opportunities for families and community members to connect without financial barriers

Join Us to Make an Immediate Impact.

Make a founding campaign gift today and help build the supports our students and teachers need—now and for the future.

​​During the first 60 days of the NACS Education Foundation, we are inviting parents, grandparents, community members, businesses and anyone with a passion for education to give to our Founders Campaign.

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All donors will be recognized on our website as Founding Contributors and will be among the first to learn about the impact we are making across all NACS schools.

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Your contribution can make an immediate difference for our schools, teachers, and students beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. 

All gifts are meaningful and deeply appreciated.

Below are examples of how your generosity can make an impact.

$75 Gift

Fund 1 week of classroom snacks so kids are ready to learn.

$200 Gift

Provide a first year teacher with money to create a comfortable and well supplied classroom environment

$500 Gift

Provide a scholarship for a teacher to a conference to refresh and reenergize their joy of teaching

$1,000 Gift

Founders Circle

$5,000 Gift

Founding Partner

$10,000 Gift

Founding Champion

Purchase items for a shared resource library for innovative hands on learning

Provide full seed money to establish a care closet for basic student needs

Fully fund the first year of teacher classroom grants

*Donors in the Founders Circle or higher will be recognized on a permanent Thank You page on the Foundation website, with the option to include a business logo. In addition, donors at this level will be invited to a Founders Reception (date to be determined) to meet the NACS Education Foundation Board and learn more about our inaugural programs and initiatives.

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**The listed projects are just examples of the types of programing we hope to implement across the district. Actual programs will depend on financial support available.

Ready to Give?

Choose a giving level or donate an amount that feels right to you, then follow the simple steps to complete your gift. Along the way, we invite you to share how you’re connected to NACS and whether you’d like to support the Foundation in additional ways, such as volunteering.

 

Your generosity helps create meaningful opportunities for students, supports our educators, and strengthens Northwest Allen County Schools. Thank you for being part of something special.

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