Be a Founder. Build a Stronger Community.

The NACS Education Foundation is launching—bringing community support directly to students and teachers, where it makes the greatest difference.

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:

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

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

Our Mission in Action

**The listed projects are just examples of the types of programing we hope to implement across the district. Actual programs implemented depend on your generous contributions in order to come to life.

NACS Ready

Purpose: Provide essential support so students are ready to learn.

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

School-based care closets - Stocked with hygiene products, hair care essentials, shoes, coats, socks, gloves, and other critical items
School snack programs - Individually packaged or bulk snacks for buildings with the highest need
Back-to-School Readiness Kits - Supplies to help students start the year prepared
Laundry and Hygiene Access Partnerships - Community partnerships to support student dignity and consistency
Boomerang Backpacks - Annual financial support to sustain and expand the program

NACS Ignite

Purpose: Lighting a fire for the joy of learning.

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

Shared Resource Library – Centralized, district-wide access to books, musical instruments, STEM kits, manipulatives, and other high-impact materials
Mobile STEM Lab – Development, planning, and execution of mobile science and technology learning experiences
Author Visits – Literacy-focused school visits that inspire creativity and a love of reading
Outdoor Learning Labs – Nature-based learning environments that extend the classroom.
Creator Labs / Makerspaces – Maker-focused learning spaces equipped with tools and technology
Student Ambassador or Internship - Engage students in philanthropy work and non-profit leadership.

NACS Elevate

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

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

Classroom and School Grants - Funding for innovative classroom ideas and school-wide initiatives
Scholarships – Optional professional development scholarships for teachers.
Teacher Supply Store - Free or low cost classroom supplies, decor, etc
Teacher Appreciation – Bi-monthly giveaways, recognition awards, business-partnered incentives.

NACS Connect

Purpose: Creating a more vibrant and connected community

This pillar strengthens relationships between schools, families, and the broader community through inclusive, low-barrier events and shared experiences.

Example Projects

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
Makers Market - A district-wide opportunity for students to sell and showcase what they create—encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship (not a foundation fundraiser)
Volunteer Days - Business and community partner engagement in school cleanups, back-to-school preparation days, playground installations, and similar efforts
Non-Fundraising Social Events - Opportunities for families and community members to connect without financial barriers

Why Give Now?

This is a founding moment.

Gifts made during the inaugural campaign establish:

The Foundation’s first programs
Its commitment to transparency and impact
A culture of community partnership around our schools

Founders Campaign donors will always be recognized as the leaders who helped launch this work from the very beginning.

Join Us to Make an Immediate Impact.

Make a Founders 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 Northwest Allen County Schools Education Foundation, we are inviting parents, grandparents, community members, businesses, and anyone with a passion for education to give to our Founders Campaign. Gifts to this campaign will support the general startup and launch of Foundation programs, allowing us to respond to the most pressing needs across NACS schools.

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 Northwest Allen County Schools.

Your contribution can make an immediate difference for our schools, teachers, and students beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. Programming will be guided by the level of support received during the Founders Campaign and emerging school needs, but your impact may include:

$75 — Could help support classroom snacks for a week, ensuring students are ready to learn.

$200 — May help a first-year teacher create a welcoming, well-supplied classroom environment.

$500 — Could contribute toward professional learning opportunities that refresh and reenergize teachers.

Founders Circle

$1000- May help expand shared resource libraries that support innovative, hands-on learning.

Founding Partner

$5000 - Could help launch a care closet to meet students’ basic needs.

Founding Champion

$10,000 — May help support a full year of classroom grants for teachers.

*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.

**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.