The Chapel Hill-carrboro Public School Foundation

What The Chapel Hill-carrboro Public School Foundation does

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation (PSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 in Carrboro, North Carolina, that raises and deploys private funds to supplement public education across the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district. It serves three primary constituencies: K-12 students in the district (through scholarships, equitable opportunity grants, summer literacy programs, and emergency assistance); CHCCS teachers and staff (through classroom innovation grants, professional development grants, endowed teaching awards, the Teacher Supply Store, and the Novice Teacher Tea); and individual CHCCS schools (through enrichment and curriculum funding). The foundation has invested over $20 million since inception and stewards 15 endowed Teaching Chair awards in perpetuity.

PSF's portfolio comprises grant programs (Classroom Innovation Grants of $200-$4,000, Student Enrichment Grants, and Professional Development Impact Grants of $2,500 per school per year, awarded in three cycles), 18 donor-funded scholarships, recognition programs (15 endowed Teaching Chairs and District Awards), and signature community events (5K for Education in its 20th year in 2026, Love & Roses which has raised over $1 million since 2004, the Teacher Supply Store distributing over $700,000 since 2007, Books Over Break, and the Novice Teacher Tea). Technology infrastructure is standard nonprofit tooling: Gravity Forms for online applications, Salesforce for grant management, and Givebutter for donation processing; the organization does not operate a public or partner-facing API.

PSF generates revenue through five streams: individual donations (annual appeals, payroll deductions, planned giving), corporate and foundation partnerships structured as a five-tier Partners in Education program (Bronze $500 to Presenting $10,000+), event revenue, endowed funds of $25,000 that produce perpetual investment income, and government-affiliated giving channels (SECC #1505 and United Way #4130). FY2025 total revenue was $1,942,319 against program expenditure of $1,897,673 and net assets of $4,817,062. The foundation operates with eight staff, is governed by a 25+ member Board of Directors including ex-officio CHCCS district liaisons, and is structurally embedded within the CHCCS district (staff email domains and physical operations at the Lincoln Center district facility).

Name

The Chapel Hill-carrboro Public School Foundation

Legal name

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation

Website

https://publicschoolfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides grants, scholarships, endowed teaching awards, and signature community events supporting every student, teacher, and school in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, with over $20 million invested since 1984.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Public education funding
• Student scholarships
• Teacher grants
• Nonprofit foundation
• Community education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Carrboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Donations from individuals through annual appeals, direct mail, and payroll deductions. Tax-deductible contributions from community members supporting public education.
2. Foundations and Corporate Partnerships: Revenue from foundation grants and corporate sponsorships through the Partners in Education program at various tiers (Bronze $500 to Presenting $10,000+).
3. Events Revenue: Revenue generated from signature events including 5K for Education, Love & Roses, and Recognition Reception.
4. Planned Giving and Endowments: Endowment gifts of $25,000 allow donors to create funds in honor or memory of individuals, with investment income supporting teachers and students in perpetuity.
5. Government Grants: State employees can contribute through SECC (State Employees Combined Campaign #1505) and United Way (#4130).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation (PSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and distributes funds to support the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district. It delivers student scholarships, classroom and professional development grants for educators, endowed teaching awards, recognition programs, and community events (such as the Teacher Supply Store, Love & Roses, and 5K for Education). The foundation is funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, government combined campaigns, signature events, and planned giving/endowments.

Product overview

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that functions as an education support organization rather than a traditional product company. Its portfolio consists of grant programs (Classroom Innovation Grants, Student Enrichment Grants, Professional Development Grants), student support services (18 scholarships, field trip assistance, summer camp, tutoring, Books Over Break, Summer Story Time, Emergency Assistance, Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program), teacher recognition (15 endowed Teaching Chairs, District Awards, Margaret Kepner Distinguished Service Award), community events (Teacher Supply Store, Love & Roses, 5K for Education, Novice Teacher Tea, Recognition Reception), and a Teachers First Fund for donations. The organization invested over $20 million since 1984, including over $1 million in grants in 2025 alone, serving every school, teacher, and student in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Student Scholarships Donor-funded college scholarships awarded to eligible Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools graduating seniors, including achievement-based, need-based, and field-specific awards (e.g., Anne Barnes Scholarship, Empowerment Scholarship). 44 seniors received $114K in scholarships in 2024-25.
• Grant Programs Classroom Innovation Grants ($200-$4,000), Student Enrichment Grants, and Professional Development Impact Grants ($2,500/school/year) awarded in three cycles (Fall, Winter, Spring) to CHCCS educators for science equipment, curriculum development, tutoring, and enrichment.
• Teacher Supply Store Annual August event providing free classroom supplies to CHCCS teachers. Operated in partnership with East Chapel Hill Rotary since 2007, distributing over $700,000 in supplies to 1,000+ educators.
• Love & Roses Annual recognition event delivering roses, cookies, and appreciation notes to all CHCCS school employees. Partnered with Chapel Hill Restaurant Group since 2004 and has raised over $1 million for Teachers First programs.
• 5K for Education Annual March fundraiser held at UNC's McCorkle Place; the largest 5K in Chapel Hill, with a portion of each $10 registration benefiting participating CHCCS schools. Celebrating 20 years in 2026.
• PSF Awards (Teaching Chairs) 15 endowed Teaching Chair awards recognizing outstanding CHCCS educators across subjects including literacy, STEM, arts, exceptional children, world language, technology, primary grades, and healthful living, plus the Margaret Kepner Distinguished Service Award.
• District Awards Annual recognition ceremony in partnership with CHCCS honoring Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, and other staff excellence awards.
• Books Over Break Summer literacy initiative distributing 15,000+ books annually to K-8 students across 22 economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, including Summer Story Time sessions. Reached 3,500+ children via 13K books in 2024-25.
• Novice Teacher Tea Welcome event for new CHCCS educators offering a $200 check, classroom supplies, and community building at Chapel Hill Country Club.
• Educators' Extra Credit Discount program connecting CHCCS teachers and staff with local business discounts through a merchant directory; launched in 1990.
• Equitable Opportunities Program Financial assistance for field trips, summer camp and enrichment programs, and tutoring to remove barriers for CHCCS students with academic or financial need.
• Other Student Programs Includes Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program (mentoring and scholarships), Summer Food Drive (partnership with PORCH for food-insecure families), and Emergency Assistance for CHCCS students and families.
• Teachers First Fund Annual appeal fund directing donations to year-round educator support programs including grants, awards, Teacher Supply Store, and professional development assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $20M invested since 1984 supporting every school, teacher, and student
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, gold and platinum.

• East Chapel Hill RotarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Long-term partnership since 2007 providing funding and volunteer support for the annual Teacher Supply Store. Rotary members help with setup and operation, distributing over $700,000 in supplies to CHCCS teachers.
• Chapel Hill Restaurant GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Since 2004, has supported Love & Roses event raising over $1 million for PSF's Teachers First programs. Key partner in recognizing and celebrating school employees.
• UNC HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting annual 'Stuff the Bus' supply drives and providing volunteer support for Teacher Supply Store.
• Hendricks SubarumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner in Education supporting public schools through various programs and events.
• Carol WoodsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior living community partner supporting educational initiatives in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area.
• Orange County Arts CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment arts agency partner supporting cultural arts programs in schools.
• North Carolina Arts CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts agency partner supporting arts education initiatives.
• Pinnacle Financial PartnersgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold-level Partner in Education committed to investing in public education and community strengthening.
• WegmansgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold-level Partner supporting PSF events and educational programs.
• Yopo (Yogurt Pump)platinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner in Education supporting local schools.
• OMSAplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner in Education supporting educational programs.
• Nicholson TutoringplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner providing tutoring services support.
• Fleet FeetplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner in Education supporting community events.
• ChartwellsplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner providing food services support.
• Carolina Urgent CareplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner supporting community health and education.
• Atlantic Private WealthplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level Partner in Education supporting financial education and programs.
• PORCH Chapel Hill-CarrborocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to collect nonperishable food donations at CHCCS schools during summer months to support families facing food insecurity.
• Town of Chapel HillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PSF to identify neighborhoods for Little Free Libraries where access to books is more limited.
• Hope RenovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt four Little Free Libraries for neighborhoods with limited book access.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Public Schools Foundation: Education foundation supporting Seattle Public Schools with classroom grants, scholarships, and family/equity programs. Directly comparable as a district-focused grantmaking and program-delivery foundation serving a single urban public school system.
• Durham Public Schools Foundation: NC-based public school foundation supporting Durham Public Schools through classroom grants, scholarships, and teacher support. Most directly comparable peer given shared NC geography, similar district-affiliated model, and analogous programs (classroom innovation grants, scholarships, teacher recognition).
• DC Public Education Fund: 501(c)(3) supporting DC Public Schools through grants, scholarships, and teacher leadership programs. Comparable in operating model — district-affiliated education foundation with grants, scholarships, and educator support.
• Hillsborough Education Foundation: County-level education foundation supporting Hillsborough County Public Schools (FL) through classroom grants, scholarships, and teacher recognition. Comparable as a large-scale public school foundation with endowed teacher awards and signature fundraising events.
• Wake County Public School Foundation: North Carolina public school district foundation providing grants, scholarships, and teacher support programs to Wake County Public School System. Directly comparable as a district-affiliated K-12 education grantmaking foundation operating in NC with similar program mix (grants, scholarships, teacher recognition).
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Foundation: Public school foundation supporting Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with grants, scholarships, and educator programs. Comparable in mission, structure (501(c)(3) supporting a single district), and program portfolio (classroom grants, scholarships, teacher recognition).
• San Francisco Education Fund: Nonprofit supporting San Francisco Unified School District through classroom grants, scholarships, and student programs. Comparable as a community-driven K-12 education foundation with classroom innovation grants, scholarships, and teacher/student support programs.
• Austin Ed Fund: 501(c)(3) raising funds for Austin Independent School District through grants and direct school support. Comparable as a district-aligned education foundation focused on classroom innovation, teacher support, and equity-driven programming.
• Atlanta Public Schools Education Foundation: District-affiliated 501(c)(3) supporting Atlanta Public Schools through grants, scholarships, and teacher development. Comparable in operating model — community fundraising for classroom innovation, scholarships, and teacher support within a single public school district.

Broad incumbents

• Triangle Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the Triangle area of NC including Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Listed as a foundational partner of PSF; comparable in that it is a larger, broader grantmaking body that overlaps in education grantmaking but serves a wider geographic and cause-area mandate rather than focusing solely on CHCCS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PSFchccs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chapel-hill-carrboro-public-school-foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/publicschoolfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Chapel Hill-carrboro Public School Foundation