Chandler Education Foundation

What Chandler Education Foundation does

Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered at the Perry House in Gilbert, Arizona, that exists to raise and redistribute private funds on behalf of the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD), which serves nearly 44,000 students across 48 schools. Its core product surface is a portfolio of education programs: classroom and school grants funded through the Cash for Classrooms campaign, a Student/Employee Crisis Fund operating since 2006, the Destination College three-week immersive college experience for incoming sixth graders, the Coach Mez extracurricular activity fund, and four scholarship vehicles (Donor, IMPACT, Foundation, and Staff scholarships) awarding between $500 and $3,000+ per recipient. It also operates the IMPACT Chandler service leadership program, which requires 100+ community service hours, 95% attendance, and a minimum 3.4 GPA.

CEF does not sell a technology product; the input data explicitly states its core technology is "not applicable" and that there is no public or partner-facing API. Its business model is a multi-channel community fundraising engine built around four repeat revenue events plus diversified giving vehicles. Annual fundraisers include the Winner's Choice Car or Cash Raffle (grand prize $27,000 toward a Toyota or $20,000 cash), the Golf Tournament at Whirlwind Golf Club (tiered sponsorships from $3,000 Bogey to $5,500 Birdie), the Subaru Share the Love campaign ($500 per vehicle sold/leased by Subaru Superstore of Chandler), and the Cash for Classrooms appeal. Recurring and passive giving flows include general online donations (suggested tiers $25-$1,000 with monthly option), CUSD payroll deduction, Fry's Community Rewards, Get Away Today vacation referrals, and corporate sponsorships. Pricing is not transactional in a SaaS sense — donation tiers, event sponsorships, and scholarship establishment minimums ($1,000) are the analog. Revenue is best understood as gross funds raised for redistribution rather than conventional top-line revenue, with documented program outflows in 2025 alone exceeding $520,000 (scholarships, grants, and staff aid combined) and the foundation deploying nearly 100 donor-funded scholarships.

CEF is governed by a Board of Directors under Executive Director Jennifer Hewitt and operates with 14 employees. Long-tenured corporate partners include Subaru Superstore of Chandler (10+ years, $400,000+ cumulative, ~$200,000 in the last three years), Intel (45+ years, including a $20,000 STEM teacher development grant), Big Two Toyota of Chandler (21+ years), Chandler Compadres, and Northrop Grumman. In 2024 CEF was named a Collaborating Partner in Toyota's Driving Possibilities grant, which brings up to $3.8 million over five years to CUSD for STEM education. The foundation is a member of the National School Foundation Association and is currently in its 40th year of operation.

Name

Chandler Education Foundation

Legal name

Chandler Education Foundation

Website

https://chandleredfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chandler Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and redistributes private funds to support the Chandler Unified School District's 48 schools and ~44,000 students through scholarships, classroom grants, crisis aid, and the IMPACT service leadership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation / Nonprofit K-12 Support

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Emergency Student Aid & Hardship Fund Administration (EDADAHAK)

Keywords

• Education foundation services
• Student scholarship programs
• Classroom grant funding
• School district support
• Nonprofit education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Gilbert

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting CUSD students and educators. Donations can be designated to specific programs or general operations.
2. Annual Golf Tournament: 25th Annual Golf Tournament & Fundraiser held at Whirlwind Golf Club. Corporate sponsorships range from $3,000 (Bogey) to $5,500 (Birdie) including foursome, carts, and recognition.
3. Winner's Choice Car or Cash Raffle: Annual raffle fundraiser where grand prize winner chooses between $27,000 toward Toyota vehicle or $20,000 cash. 2026 raffle raised $124,810. Ticket sales support IMPACT scholarships and school resources.
4. Subaru Share the Love Campaign: Subaru Superstore donates up to $500 per vehicle purchased/leased to CEF during annual campaign. Over $400,000 donated over 10 years supporting teacher scholarships.
5. Grocery Rewards Programs: Fry's Community Rewards program donates to CEF when shoppers use V.I.P. Card. Get Away Today vacation bookings contribute portion of sales.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Enhanced sponsorship packages offering visibility across CUSD community, event marketing, and digital platforms. Includes Excellence Sponsors like Subaru Superstore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Chandler Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to support Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) students, teachers, and families. It provides senior scholarships, classroom and student activity grants, crisis/intervention funding for students in distress, and educational enrichment programs across approximately 48 schools serving over 44,000 students.

Product overview

Chandler Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a community fundraising foundation rather than a technology product company. Its core offering consists of educational support programs including Classroom and School Grants, Crisis Funds for students and staff, the Destination College college-prep program, IMPACT Chandler Scholars service leadership program, and Coach Mez activity funding. The foundation distributes scholarships through multiple vehicles: Donor Scholarships (nearly 100 individual funds ranging $500-$3,000), IMPACT Scholarships (for service-hour completers), Foundation Scholarships (need-based), and Staff Scholarships (for educator professional development). Fundraising programs include the Winner's Choice Car or Cash Raffle, Annual Golf Tournament, Subaru Share the Love campaign, and Cash for Classrooms fundraiser. All programs support students, families, and educators within the Chandler Unified School District.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMPACT Chandler: Service leadership program for CUSD high school students supporting volunteerism and academic commitment, with scholarship opportunities
• Cash For Classrooms
• Winner's Choice Raffle
• Destination College
• Coach Mez Fund

Products and services

• Senior Scholarships Post-secondary scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors within Chandler Unified School District to support continued education.
• Classroom and Student Activity Grants Grant funding awarded to CUSD teachers and students to cover classroom enrichment, materials, and student activity needs not funded through normal school budgets.
• Student Crisis Fund Crisis and intervention funding provided to CUSD students and families facing unexpected financial hardship or emergency situations affecting school participation.
• Community Fundraising Events (Festival of Fabulous Authors; Heroes Luncheon) Annual signature events — including the Festival of Fabulous Authors and Heroes Luncheon — that raise program funds and provide community recognition and engagement opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 218 scholarships totaling nearly $282,000 awarded to CUSD graduates (2026)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ToyotacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2024Named Collaborating Partner in Toyota Driving Possibilities grant bringing up to $3.8 million over 5 years to Chandler schools for STEM career preparation.
• National School Foundation AssociationminorOthersChandler Education Foundation is a proud member of the National School Foundation Association, connecting with other school foundations across the country for best practices and advocacy.
• Subaru Superstore of ChandlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 10 years, Subaru Superstore has donated over $400,000 through Share the Love Campaign. Each new Subaru purchase/lease generates up to $500 for CEF teacher scholarships. In recent 3 years, nearly $200,000 was donated specifically for teacher scholarships.
• Big Two Toyota of ChandlercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner21+ year partnership providing grand prize options for Winner's Choice Raffle. Winner can choose $27,000 toward any Toyota MSRP or $20,000 cash. Toyota Financial Services also listed as event sponsor.
• Intel FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner45+ year partnership. Intel donated $20,000 for STEM teacher professional development, funding generational knowledge sharing across CUSD and additional training and classroom resources.
• Chandler CompadrescoreGTM or Marketing Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit donated $30,000 for student scholarships through Hope Institute mental health programs and resources for unhoused CUSD students.
• Northrop GrummancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated $10,000 in STEM grants ($5,000 each) to Willis Junior High and Andersen Junior High for biotechnology labs with minipcr machines, electrophoresis kits, and hands-on equipment.
• Fry's Food StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFry's Community Rewards program allows shoppers to designate CEF as charity of choice, earning rewards for the foundation with each purchase using V.I.P. Card.
• Get Away TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVacation booking company donates portion of each package booked through CEF referral link. Supports Disneyland Resort packages with exclusive amenities.
• Landon's Legacy FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring CPR/AED and Seizure Response Training to CUSD staff, supporting community health and safety.
• Toyota Financial ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Winner's Choice Raffle fundraiser supporting CUSD schools and scholarships.
• Cross-Cultural DynamicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for 2024 Winner's Choice Raffle fundraiser.
• Chandler Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary beneficiary of all CEF programs. CUSD includes 48 schools serving nearly 44,000 students. Foundation provides supplemental funding for priority district initiatives.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Arizona Community Foundation: Large statewide community foundation in Arizona operating scholarship funds, grantmaking, and donor-advised funds including K-12 education grants. Broader scope than CEF but operates a competitive scholarship and grantmaking function in the same state.

Direct peers

• Tempe Elementary Education Foundation: School-district-affiliated education foundation supporting Tempe Elementary School District through grants, scholarships, and community fundraising events. Operates an identical model to CEF in an adjacent East Valley district.
• Deer Valley Education Foundation: Foundation supporting Deer Valley Unified School District through community fundraising, classroom grants, and scholarships. Same Arizona K-12 education foundation model as Chandler Education Foundation.
• Mesa Public Schools Education Foundation: School-district-aligned 501(c)(3) education foundation for Mesa Unified School District in Arizona, providing classroom grants, scholarships, and teacher support. Direct structural analog to CEF operating in the same state with comparable programs.
• Phoenix Union High School District Education Foundation: Foundation serving Phoenix Union High School District via scholarships, grants, and student programs. Larger urban peer operating the same district-anchored fundraising and grantmaking model.
• Paradise Valley Education Foundation: Education foundation supporting Paradise Valley Unified School District in the Phoenix metro, funding classroom innovation and scholarships. Operationally comparable to CEF with district-aligned donor and event programs.
• Gilbert Education Foundation: Education foundation serving Gilbert Public Schools in the same Arizona metro as CEF, funding classroom grants, scholarships, and student enrichment. Closest geographic and operational peer given proximity to Chandler.
• Scottsdale Unified School District Education Foundation: Education foundation supporting Scottsdale Unified through classroom grants, scholarships, and corporate partnerships. Same metropolitan market and same structural model as Chandler Education Foundation.
• Cave Creek Unified School District Education Foundation: Smaller Arizona district education foundation supporting Cave Creek schools through community-driven fundraising and grants. Comparable structurally though smaller in scale than CEF.

Others

• National School Foundation Association: Industry association of which CEF is a member, providing best-practice standards, advocacy, and peer networking for school district education foundations. Not a direct fundraiser but the trade body most relevant to CEF's operating model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChandlerEdFound
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChandlerEdFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chandler-ed-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/chandleredfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chandler Education Foundation