Tacoma Education Dream Fund

What Tacoma Education Dream Fund does

Tacoma Education Dream Fund (TEDF) is an independent 501c3 nonprofit foundation, established in July 2024, that serves as the official philanthropic arm of Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) in Washington State. The organization raises and directs charitable contributions to fund educational experiences beyond the core K-12 curriculum for the district's roughly 29,000 students, 56% of whom are economically disadvantaged. Its core mission centers on removing financial barriers to enrichment programs, with 78% of TPS families receiving financial assistance for the Beyond the Bell after-school program in the 2023-24 school year.

TEDF operates a multi-channel fundraising platform layered around five structured giving networks: the Founding Circle ($5,000+ annually for three years), the Corporate Champions Circle ($1,000+ annually), the TPS Educator Legacy Network ($25 monthly or $300 annually for retired educators), the TPS Alumni Support Network, and the Promise Partners monthly giving community. Event-based fundraising (notably the Unveiling the Dream launch event at $100 per ticket) supplements recurring donations. The organization's flagship programmatic product is Futures 253, launched in May 2026 in partnership with TAPCO Credit Union and Wells Fargo, which facilitates Roth IRA account activation for TPS students who contribute $150 of earned income and receive a $100 incentive grant from TEDF. This program is funded in part by the Beverly Haughton IRA Partnership Fund, a named endowment vehicle within the organization targeting $2.5M in permanent assets.

The organization's technology stack is a website-based donation and program management platform (tacomaeducationdreamfund.org) handling donor processing, event registration, and program administration, with no disclosed AI capabilities or proprietary software products beyond standard web infrastructure. TEDF operates two offices in Tacoma — a headquarters at 3702 E McKinley Avenue and a satellite office within the TPS Central Administration Building at 601 South 8th Street — and is led by inaugural CEO Sue Elkin (appointed October 2024) under Board Chair Shon Sylvia, Executive Director of Metro Parks Tacoma. Board composition includes ex-officio representation from the TPS Superintendent and CFO, structurally tying the foundation to district leadership. Customer concentration is effectively singular: TPS is both the sole beneficiary population and the channel through which every program is delivered.

Name

Tacoma Education Dream Fund

Legal name

Tacoma Education Dream Fund

Website

https://tacomaeducationdreamfund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tacoma Education Dream Fund is an independent 501c3 nonprofit foundation serving as the official philanthropic arm of Tacoma Public Schools, raising charitable contributions to fund enrichment programs, scholarships, and the Futures 253 Roth IRA program for the district's 29,000 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Foundation / Education Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD), Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Educational philanthropy
• School foundation fundraising
• Student enrichment programs
• Youth financial literacy
• Corporate giving networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monthly recurring donations through Promise Partners program and one-time gifts from individual donors supporting student enrichment programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Annual contributions from Corporate Champions Circle members ($1,000+) supporting workforce development and educational equity initiatives.
3. Leadership Giving: Founding Circle members commit $5,000 or more annually for three years providing catalytic early funding for high-impact initiatives.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue from ticketed events such as Unveiling the Dream at $100 per person, with sponsorship opportunities at various tiers.
5. Futures 253 Program: Financial literacy and investment program where students contribute $150 of earned income to Roth IRAs and receive $100 incentive grants from the Dream Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tacoma Education Dream Fund is a 501c3 nonprofit foundation serving as the official fundraising entity for Tacoma Public Schools. It raises philanthropic support from individuals, businesses, and community organizations and directs it toward educational opportunities beyond the classroom, including after-school and summer programs (Beyond the Bell, Club B), student employment and career programs (Jobs 253, Next Move), scholarships, internships, and the flagship Futures 253 program that helps students open Roth IRA accounts with a $100 incentive grant.

Product overview

Tacoma Education Dream Fund operates as a nonprofit foundation serving as the official foundation for Tacoma Public Schools. The organization functions as a platform connecting donors with educational programs through multiple giving networks (Founding Circle, Corporate Champions Circle, TPS Educator Legacy Network, TPS Alumni Support Network, and Promise Partners). The flagship program is Futures 253, which helps students open real Roth IRA accounts and learn about long-term investing. The Beverly Haughton IRA Partnership Fund supports this program through incentive grants and endowment building. The organization also supports existing programs like Beyond the Bell, Club B, Jobs 253, and Next Move that provide student enrichment, internships, and career exploration opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Futures 253: A program that helps Tacoma students turn earned income into long-term investment ownership through real Roth IRA account activation, powered by the Beverly Haughton Fund
• Beverly Haughton IRA Partnership Fund
• Corporate Champions Circle
• Promise Partners
• Founding Circle
• TPS Alumni Support Network
• TPS Educator Legacy Network

Products and services

• Futures 253 Program A real-world investment program that helps Tacoma Public Schools students open Roth IRA accounts through partner financial institutions, invest $150 of their own earned income, complete financial literacy coursework, and receive $100 incentive grants from TEDF.
• Beverly Haughton IRA Partnership Fund A community-powered endowment fund within TEDF that provides student incentive grants for the Futures 253 Roth IRA program and is building toward a $2.5 million permanent endowment for long-term sustainability.
• Beyond the Bell After-school and summer activities program providing safe spaces for Tacoma Public Schools students to explore interests through clubs, sports, and enrichment activities that support whole-child development.
• Club B Student enrichment and engagement program providing after-school activities and opportunities for personal development to Tacoma Public Schools students.
• Jobs 253 Student employment and career development program providing work experience opportunities for Tacoma Public Schools students.
• Next Move Student transition and support program assisting Tacoma Public Schools students with their next steps after high school, including college and career pathways.
• Founding Circle Leadership giving network requiring $5,000 or more annual commitments for three years from visionary donors providing catalytic funding for high-impact educational initiatives in Tacoma Public Schools.
• Corporate Champions Circle Corporate partnership giving network requiring $1,000 or more annual contributions from businesses and organizations committed to strengthening Tacoma's future workforce by investing in student education.
• TPS Educator Legacy Network Network for retired Tacoma Public Schools educators investing $25 per month or $300 annually to support student success and sustain educational programs districtwide.
• TPS Alumni Support Network Community network for Tacoma Public Schools graduates who give back through monthly or annual gifts to support current students and strengthen schools.
• Promise Partners Monthly donor community providing consistent, year-round funding of any amount for student programs across Tacoma Public Schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78% of TPS families received financial assistance for Beyond the Bell in 2023-24
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Beyond the BellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 July 2024Program partnership to provide safe after-school and summer activities, building on Beyond the Bell's existing infrastructure to reach students across Tacoma Public Schools.
• Club BcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent enrichment and engagement program supported by Dream Fund to provide after-school activities and opportunities for personal development.
• Tacoma Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial foundation partnership with the district to expand educational opportunities, raise philanthropic support, and enhance experiences beyond the classroom.
• Black CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner endorsing and supporting the Futures 253 program to expand access to wealth-building opportunities for Tacoma students.
• Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing partner for Futures 253 and venue host for Unveiling the Dream event. APCC is a key community partner representing diverse cultural perspectives.
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsing partner for Futures 253 program, providing business community support and legitimacy for youth financial literacy initiatives.
• Beverly Haughton IRA Partnership FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamed fund within the Dream Fund providing $100 incentive grants to students and building toward $2.5M endowment for long-term program sustainability.
• Metro Parks TacomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard Chair Shon Sylvia serves as Executive Director of Metro Parks Tacoma, providing leadership and community connection for youth programming.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• National Association of Education Foundations: Membership association representing K-12 education foundations nationwide. Relevant as an enabling/infrastructure peer that supports the operating model TEDF uses and could provide benchmarking, training, and grant-program templates.

Direct peers

• Schools Foundation of Palm Beach County: Nonprofit foundation supporting the School District of Palm Beach County with scholarships, classroom grants, and enrichment programs funded via corporate and community giving—directly comparable district-foundation model.
• Hillsborough Education Foundation: Education foundation serving Hillsborough County Public Schools, operating classroom grants, scholarships, and teacher support programs funded through corporate and individual giving networks—directly comparable structure to TEDF.
• Seattle Public Schools Foundation: Official education foundation for Seattle Public Schools with a near-identical operating model: raises philanthropic support for district enrichment, scholarships, and programs beyond the classroom. Closest geographic and functional peer to TEDF.
• Junior Achievement of Washington: Regional affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, where TEDF's CEO Sue Elkin previously served for 14 years. Comparable mission around youth financial literacy, and a natural programmatic partner or substitute donor in the Pacific Northwest.
• United Way of Pierce County: Pierce County's primary united-way organization funding local education, family stability, and youth programs; operates giving networks and corporate campaigns that overlap TEDF's donor base and employer-engagement channels.

Broad incumbents

• Strada Education Foundation: National education philanthropy focused on postsecondary and workforce pathways; signals the scaled, national version of education-to-career program design that TEDF's Futures 253 and Jobs 253 partnerships aspire to.
• The Seattle Foundation: Large, established regional foundation in the Pacific Northwest making grants across education, equity, and community development. Larger, older, and more diversified than TEDF but competes for the same regional high-net-worth donors.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit that places support staff inside K-12 schools to address equity, attendance, and enrichment gaps. Comparable mission (in-school equity) but operates a direct-service model rather than a fundraising-only model.

Regional players

• Greater Tacoma Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the same Pierce County/Tacoma geography as TEDF, distributing grants to education, equity, and community programs. Competes for the same local donor dollars and corporate CSR budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TacEdDreamFund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tacoma-education-dream-fund
• Instagraminstagram.com/taceddreamfund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Tacoma Education Dream Fund