Decatur Education Foundation

What Decatur Education Foundation does

Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 58-2601384) founded around 2000 and headquartered in Decatur, Georgia, that serves as the primary external fundraising and program-delivery vehicle for City Schools of Decatur (CSD). Its mission is to enable the full potential of Decatur youth by funding programs that sit outside standard school budgets, including Teacher Innovation Grants (TIGs, $200–$3,000 each) and Student Innovation Grants (SIGs), Joe's Fund for behavioral health and student wellness centers, a scholarship program (23 recipients totaling $149,000 in 2026), Zara's Fund for arts, the Lighten the Load essential needs program serving 70+ families, and the Weekend Food Bag Program.

DEF's business model is donation-driven across four streams: individual and family giving through the Circle of Stars program (Nebula through North Star tiers), corporate sponsorships ($1,500–$10,000+ tiers), event fundraising (Supper & Sips, Tour deCatur, Battle of the Bands, No Ordinary Joe, Sing With the Band), and merchandise sales ($25 picnic blankets, $100 ceramic sculptures, $30+ t-shirts). In 2025, Supper & Sips alone raised nearly $100,000, a new organizational record. There is no proprietary technology underlying the model; operations run on Squarespace, Bloomerang CRM, and MailChimp, with grantmaking distributed directly through CSD partnerships and community partners.

The organization is governed by a board that includes ex-officio seats for the CSD Superintendent, the City of Decatur Innovation & Strategy Director, and the Decatur Housing Authority Executive Director, creating structural integration with the school district, the municipality, and the local housing authority. It is staffed by four employees — Executive Director Meagan Berardi (who rejoined in 2024), Director of Finance & Operations Merry Pope (2024), Programs Manager Lori Heemann (July 2025), and Community Engagement Manager Rhonda Wildman (January 2026) — and Board Chair Martha Moore. Geographic scope is limited to Decatur, Georgia, with no stated plan for geographic expansion.

Name

Decatur Education Foundation

Legal name

Decatur Education Foundation

Website

https://decatureducationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Decatur Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and deploys donated funds to support students, teachers, and families of City Schools of Decatur through grants, scholarships, behavioral health, and essential needs programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Nonprofit Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Education foundation grants
• Teacher innovation funding
• Student scholarship programs
• School behavioral health services
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Decatur, Georgia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual & Family Donations: Annual giving program through Circle of Stars with multiple tiers from Nebula to North Star levels, as well as general donations from community members supporting Decatur students
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Business Circle of Stars program with 4 giving levels ($1,500-$10,000+) offering event tickets, race bibs, social media recognition, and presenting sponsorship opportunities
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature events including Supper & Sips (raised nearly $100,000 in 2025), Tour deCatur, Battle of the Bands, and No Ordinary Joe
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including picnic blankets ($25), ceramic sculptures ($100), t-shirts ($30 minimum donation), and Sing With the Band karaoke spots ($150)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Decatur Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises charitable donations and event revenue to fund grants, scholarships, and support programs for the City Schools of Decatur (CSD). Its offerings include Teacher Innovation Grants and Student Innovation Grants, behavioral health support through Joe's Fund (including student wellness centers), the Scholarship Program for DHS seniors and CSD teachers, Zara's Fund for arts programming, the Lighten the Load and Weekend Food Bag Programs for families in need, and the Circle of Stars donor recognition program. All services are free to CSD students, teachers, and families and are funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Decatur Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a grant-making and program delivery entity rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include Teacher Innovation Grants (TIGs) and Student Innovation Grants (SIGs) for CSD educators and students; Joe's Fund for behavioral health initiatives including student wellness centers; a Scholarship Program awarding funds to DHS graduates and teachers; Zara's Fund for arts programming; the Lighten the Load Program and Weekend Food Bag Program addressing essential needs; and Circle of Stars as its donor recognition program. The organization also produces fundraising events including Supper & Sips, Tour deCatur, Battle of the Bands, No Ordinary Joe, and Sing With the Band. Merchandise such as CSD ceramic sculptures and DEF picnic blankets are sold to support specific initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Joe's Fund: DEF's behavioral health initiative created to honor Joe Bodine, supporting student mental health services, substance abuse programs, and safe spaces for students.
• Zara's Fund
• Step Up for Teachers
• Circle of Stars
• Lighten the Load Program

Products and services

• Teacher Innovation Grants (TIGs) Grant program open to all City Schools of Decatur educators and staff that funds learning projects, pilot programs, and fresh approaches that go beyond standard curriculum, with awards historically ranging from $200 to $3,000.
• Student Innovation Grants (SIGs) Grant program for CSD students requiring staff advisor and principal support, funding student-led service initiatives, new learning opportunities, and creative problem-solving projects.
• Joe's Fund DEF's behavioral health initiative that funds student behavioral health services, substance use programs, mental health resources, and student wellness centers at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School.
• Scholarship Program Annual program awarding college scholarships to graduating Decatur High School seniors and scholarships to CSD teachers seeking further education; $149,000 awarded to 23 recipients in 2026.
• Zara's Fund Arts fund supporting arts programs and creative initiatives in CSD schools, including teacher grants for arts programming and the Mascots of Decatur t-shirt fundraiser.
• Lighten the Load Program Provides clothing, medical care, food, toiletries, and emergency assistance to over 70 CSD families experiencing homelessness or financial instability.
• Weekend Food Bag Program Volunteer-run food security program ensuring CSD students have nourishing meals over weekends and school breaks.
• Student Wellness Centers Safe spaces at Decatur High School and Beacon Hill Middle School providing respite and individual and group counseling sessions staffed by dedicated counselors.
• Step Up for Teachers Campaign Community campaign allowing members to show appreciation for CSD teachers/staff and pride in graduating seniors through yard signs with tributes; proceeds fund Teacher and Student Innovation Grants.
• Circle of Stars Donor Program DEF's core donor community program with individual and business giving tiers (Nebula, Rising Star, Supernova, North Star) offering naming recognition, event perks, and exclusive donor events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70+ families served through Lighten the Load Program for students experiencing homelessness and financial instability
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City Schools of Decatur (CSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary educational partner - DEF works closely with CSD to ensure all students have resources and experiences needed for academic success. CSD superintendent serves as ex-officio DEF board member.
• City of DecaturcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner collaborating with DEF on community initiatives. City Innovation and Strategy Director serves as ex-officio DEF board member.
• Decatur Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner working with DEF on community initiatives. Executive Director of Decatur Housing serves as ex-officio DEF board member.
• Agnes Scott CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal college partner supporting DEF events and educational initiatives.
• Skyland TrailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health organization partnering with DEF for Speaker Series events on youth behavioral health topics.
• Waller's Coffee ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal venue hosting DEF Community Coffee events and No Ordinary Joe concert fundraiser.
• Decatur Bulldog BoostersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with DEF for 2026 Tour deCatur to offer Bulldog Jog allowing runners to include dogs in 1-Mile Fun Run.
• Decatur RotaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal service organization co-sponsoring educational initiatives and community programs.
• Beacon Hill Black AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization supporting DEF equity and inclusion initiatives including G.E.N.T.S. and Y.L.O.E. clubs.
• Urban RecipeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEF board member Jeremy Lewis leads Urban Recipe which ensures families have food they need, aligning with DEF essential needs programs.
• Eddie AtticminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIconic Decatur music venue hosting Sing With the Band karaoke fundraiser featuring Polly Holliday band.
• The Chapel on SycamoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue hosting Supper & Sips annual fundraiser.
• Madison Ave Soapbox DerbyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal organization providing resources for children to succeed, co-founded by DEF board member Raul Trujillo.
• Wylde CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental education organization with community involvement including DEF board member James Cobb serving on Board of Trustees.
• Amplify My CommunityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit fiscal sponsor listed among Circle of Stars donors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• DonorsChoose: National crowdfunding platform that funds teacher classroom project requests, conceptually similar to DEF's Teacher Innovation Grants (TIGs) but operating as a marketplace technology platform rather than a single-district foundation.

Broad incumbents

• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: Large regional grantmaking organization funding education, health, and community initiatives across metro Atlanta. Comparable as a grantmaking entity, though DEF is district-specific and CFGA is broadly multi-cause.
• Foundation for Excellence in Education: A broader education policy and reform foundation operating at state/national scale. Less directly comparable as a single-district foundation but overlapping in education grantmaking and equity mission.

Direct peers

• Public Education Foundation (Las Vegas): A single-district education foundation running innovation grants, scholarships, and teacher programs for the Clark County School District. Closely mirrors DEF's mission, program mix (innovation grants + scholarships), and operating scale.
• Schools Foundation: A local education foundation providing innovation grants and scholarships to a specific school district. Comparable in mission and grantmaking structure, though operating in a different geography.

Regional players

• Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation: Regional education foundation supporting Georgia's largest school district with innovation grants, scholarships, and teacher recognition. Comparable grantmaking-plus-scholarship structure operating in the same state.
• Cobb Schools Foundation: Georgia-based K-12 education foundation funding teacher grants, student scholarships, and district-wide programs for Cobb County School District. Closely mirrors DEF's structure of innovation grants plus scholarships tied to a single district.
• Atlanta Public Schools Education Foundation: A regional K-12 education foundation serving Atlanta Public Schools with grants, scholarships, and teacher support programs. Highly comparable operating model to DEF, scaled up to a larger urban district in the same metro area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/decatureducationfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/decatureducationfoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Decatur Education Foundation