The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation

What The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation does

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation is a private non-profit organization founded in 1989 by Robert C. McNair and Janice McNair, headquartered in Forest City, North Carolina, with offices embedded at each of the three Rutherford County high schools (East Rutherford, Chase, and R-S Central). The foundation's mission is to increase the number of Rutherford County Schools graduates pursuing postsecondary education, and it serves approximately 7,500 students across 16 schools through a continuum of programs from elementary school through college completion. Its core offerings include a mentor-matching program pairing over 200 adult volunteers with students from 7th grade through graduation, a portfolio of need-based and merit scholarships (ROPE Award up to $32,000 over four years, Ron Paris Mass Communication Award, Charles Z. Flack Jr. Community Leadership Award, Robert C. McNair Memorial Scholarship, Jim Songster Mastery Award, EXPO Award, and school-specific funds), and college persistence support through the GPS 4 Success Navigation Coach program in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine's McNair Scholars.

The foundation operates as a school-district partner rather than a technology vendor, with programs delivered directly inside Rutherford County Schools through dedicated staff stationed at each high school plus a Financial Aid Specialist at each location supporting FAFSA completion. Its technology footprint is minimal and operational: a Wix-hosted website, the Transeo service-learning tracking system for documenting student hours, and the GPS 4 Success navigation platform connecting graduates with coaches. Revenue mechanics are those of a traditional charitable foundation, funded by McNair-family contributions and donations; all programs and scholarships are provided free of charge to students and families. The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by community leaders and led by Executive Director Monica Lee, with a lean staff of approximately 9-14 employees and 200+ volunteer mentors executing 30+ active programs.

Name

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation

Legal name

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation

Website

https://mcnairedfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation is a non-profit founded in 1989 that provides college and career readiness programs, mentorship, and scholarships to approximately 7,500 students in Rutherford County Schools, North Carolina, from elementary through college completion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• College preparation programs
• Student mentorship services
• Educational scholarship programs
• Career readiness support
• K-12 educational services

Headquarters

HQ city

Forest City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Non-profit Foundation (No Revenue Generation): McNair Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that does not generate revenue. The foundation provides free programs and scholarships to students, funded through the McNair family's charitable contributions and fundraising activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation delivers free college and career preparation programs, volunteer mentorship, and scholarship awards to Rutherford County Schools students from elementary school through college completion. Its core offerings include the McNair Mentors Program pairing students with adult volunteers from 7th grade through graduation, multi-tiered scholarship awards (ROPE Award up to $32,000 over four years, plus the Ron Paris Mass Communication, Charles Z. Flack Jr. Community Leadership, Robert C. McNair Memorial, Jim Songster Mastery, and EXPO awards), the GPS 4 Success navigation coaching program for college persistence, and school-embedded Financial Aid Specialists at each of the three Rutherford County high schools.

Product overview

The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs designed to increase college and career awareness, readiness, and success for Rutherford County Schools students from elementary through college completion. The Foundation operates multiple integrated program areas: (1) Mentorship programs pairing students with volunteer mentors from 7th grade through graduation; (2) Financial assistance including multiple scholarship awards (ROPE Award, Ron Paris Mass Communication Award, Charles Z. Flack Jr. Community Leadership Award, Robert C. McNair Memorial Scholarship, Jim Songster Mastery Award) and funds (East Mary O. Hamrick Fund, Chase Angel Fund, RS Hilltopper Fund, EXPO Award); (3) College and career programs including GPS 4 Success navigation coaching, Adopt-a-College Student pen-pal program, and McNair Science Education Collaborative with Baylor College of Medicine; (4) Elementary programs including High School Heroes and Third Grade College Fair; (5) Middle school programs including Jump Start summer program, 8th Grade Interviews, Heart of a Champion, College Knowledge EXPO, and CONNECT Tour; (6) Mentor training through a tiered webinar system (Bronze through Diamond levels); and (7) College preparation resources. The Foundation provides a Financial Aid Specialist at each high school to assist seniors with FAFSA completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• McNair Mentors Program Pairs over 200 adult volunteer mentors with middle and high school students starting in 7th grade through high school graduation to review grades, course selection, attendance, activities, and college preparation. It is the foundation's largest and most significant program and is provided free of charge to Rutherford County Schools students.
• ROPE Award (Reaching for One's Potential for Excellence) Scholarship award for college-ready high school seniors providing up to $8,000 per year for up to four years of college, with eligibility for additional awards (total up to $32,000 over four years). Awarded to seniors at each Rutherford County high school.
• Ron Paris Mass Communication Award Established in 2008 in memory of the founder of The Daily Courier and founding Board member; awarded to one senior at each high school demonstrating aptitude in mass communication, receiving up to $8,000 for four years of college.
• Charles Z. Flack Jr. Community Leadership Award Created in 2010 in memory of the businessman and founding Board member; awarded to seniors demonstrating leadership, community service, organizational skills, and vision, receiving up to $8,000 for four years of college.
• Robert C. McNair Memorial Scholarship Established in 2019 in memory of Bob McNair and in celebration of 30 years of commitment to postsecondary education; awarded annually to ROPE Award recipients who embody characteristics Bob McNair exhibited and valued.
• Jim Songster Mastery Award Established in memory of the first Executive Director; JumpStart program graduates can earn up to $500 by meeting criteria including 2.5 GPA, graduation in 4 years, extracurricular participation, college visit, acceptance, and 32 documented service hours.
• Financial Assistance Funds (East Mary O. Hamrick Fund, Chase Angel Fund, RS Hilltopper Fund, EXPO Award) School-specific and program-specific financial assistance funds providing financial stipends to qualifying students upon enrollment in postsecondary education. Includes the EXPO Award stipend and per-high-school funds (Hamrick, Angel, Hilltopper) for students with demonstrated financial need.
• GPS 4 Success (Go.Persist.Succeed) College persistence program in which graduates have access to a Navigation Coach for college enrollment, on-campus resources, course planning, financial aid, tutoring, career exploration, and college transfers. Designed to improve college persistence and completion among Rutherford County Schools graduates.
• Adopt-a-College Student Program Pairs recent high school graduates attending college with fourth or fifth grade classrooms; college students correspond with classrooms through social media, written letters, and classroom visits to expose younger students to college while providing support and accountability.
• McNair Science Education Collaborative Partnership with McNair Scholars from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas; matches Rutherford County School teachers with graduate students or post-doctoral fellows for curriculum content discussions, virtual classrooms, demonstrations, activities, experiments, and annual visits from McNair Teaching Fellows and Scholars.
• Jump Start Program Two-week summer program at Isothermal Community College for eighth grade students entering ninth grade; provides academic instruction in English, math, history, and science plus enrichment activities including physical education, college readiness, community service, and college visits.
• 8th Grade Interviews Program where high school students meet individually with every eighth grade student to discuss goals, high school curriculum, extracurricular activities, academic habits, and McNair programs to prepare for high school transition.
• Heart of a Champion (HOC) Middle school program working with student-athletes on football team rosters throughout each school year; includes team-building, character, and leadership skills activities plus field trips to colleges.
• College Knowledge EXPO Event for seventh grade students at Isothermal Community College to learn about postsecondary education levels and career types available at each level; sessions facilitated by representatives from two- and four-year colleges.
• CONNECT Tour Program allowing eighth grade students to visit local businesses to learn about career opportunities and education requirements, including lunch and learn sessions with military representatives at McNair Field.
• High School Heroes Elementary school program where high school students from the Shelton Leadership program provide college awareness activities, talk to students about college and careers, and help third graders develop and present a college fair.
• Third Grade College Fair Annual college fair organized by third grade students with help from High School Heroes, presented for parents, community members, and students in other grade levels.
• Tiered Mentor Webinar Library Webinar library for mentors with Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels covering topics including Interview Matrix, Mentor Handbook, Transcripts, Report Cards, Transeo, Jump Start, SCORE, CFNC, FAFSA, College Visits, Powers Scholarship, New Century Scholars, College & Career Promise, NCHSAA, and High Flyer Student topics. Used to train and develop the 200+ volunteer mentors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped thousands of Rutherford County Schools students prepare for postsecondary education over 30+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McNair Scholars at McNair Medical Institute, Baylor College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with McNair Science Education Collaborative that matches Rutherford County School teachers with graduate students and post-doctoral fellows working in McNair Scholars laboratories. Program includes curriculum development, virtual classrooms, demonstrations, activities, experiments, and annual visits from Houston-based McNair Teaching Fellows and Scholars.
• Isothermal Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Jump Start summer program for eighth graders transitioning to ninth grade. Also hosts the College Knowledge EXPO for seventh grade students.
• Shelton Leadership ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh School Heroes program recruits student leaders from the Shelton Leadership program to conduct college awareness activities in elementary school classrooms.
• Local Businesses (CONNECT Tour)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONNECT Tour allows eighth grade students to visit local businesses to learn about career opportunities and education requirements. Students also have lunch and learn sessions with military representatives at McNair Field.
• Rutherford County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep partnership with Rutherford County Schools providing programs across 16 schools serving approximately 7,500 students. Foundation works with district to embed programs from elementary through college completion.
• High Schools (East Rutherford, Chase, RS Central)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree high schools host McNair programs with staff stationed at each location. Schools include East Rutherford High School, Chase High School, and R-S Central High School in Rutherford County.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnY-s8cwu4mtNeGD1L8S1sQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/mcnairedfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/mcnairedfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-robert-and-janice-mcnair-educational-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation