Penn-harris-madison Educational Foundation, Inc.

What Penn-harris-madison Educational Foundation, Inc. does

Penn-Harris-Madison Educational Foundation, Inc. (PHMEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1996 and headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana. It operates as the dedicated fundraising and grantmaking vehicle for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, a public district comprising 15 schools. Since inception the foundation has disbursed more than $1.82 million into the district, with $145,000 funded in the 2025-26 school year alone. The organization is staffed by a small team led by Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom and Office Manager Amy Chrise.

The foundation's program portfolio centers on the Teacher Grants Program, with supplementary student-facing initiatives including the Young Authors' Conference (Books and Bots), Short Circuits (student robotics), Running is Elementary, the College and Career Fair, the Penn High School Job Fair, Kingsmen Art Gallery, Thank-a-Teacher recognition, and the Culver's Bus Driver of the Month program. The P-H-M Ambassador Program and Homecoming event extend community engagement beyond the schools themselves. Technology infrastructure is conventional nonprofit tooling — a Bloomerang donation/CRM platform behind the phmef.org website.

Revenue mechanics blend individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and special events. Corporate naming-rights agreements are structured as 12-year commitments with an 80% endowment / 20% professional-development allocation. Active corporate partners include Everwise Credit Union, Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel, Culver's of Granger and Mishawaka, 1st Source Bank, Basney Honda, Jordan Automotive Group, Zolman Tire & Auto Care, Gibson, Old National Bank, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, May Oberfell Lorber, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Drive & Shine, Martin's Supermarket, and Royal Excursion. Major cumulative gifts include Teachers Credit Union (~$400K, 2015) and the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker family ($242,500+ since 2006). A Indiana license-plate program contributes ~$19 per plate in grassroots proceeds.

Name

Penn-harris-madison Educational Foundation, Inc.

Legal name

Penn-harris-madison Educational Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://phmef.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Penn-Harris-Madison Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that raises and grants funds for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation's 15 Indiana schools through classroom grants, naming rights, and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mishawaka

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. Classroom Grants: Issues grant money directly to teachers and staff for special projects. Primary mission activity funding innovative classroom initiatives.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Naming Rights: Naming rights partnerships (12-year commitments) and corporate sponsorships for events and programs. 80% of naming rights donations go to endowment, 20% to professional development.
3. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through annual drive, ambassador program ($25 bracelet), brick purchases, and Leave Your Mark nameplates ($100).
4. Special Events: Revenue from events including Homecoming, Gala, Job Fair table sales ($150), Broadway Performance votes ($5), and other community events.
5. License Plate Program: Indiana specialty educational license plates generate approximately $19 per plate to PHMEF.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that raises money through donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, and naming rights, then channels those funds directly back into Penn-Harris-Madison schools. The foundation supports the school district through teacher grants, student scholarships, staff development funding, and enrichment programs for students.

Product overview

The P-H-M Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports excellence in education in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. The foundation operates as a unified set of programs rather than a technology platform, with its core offerings including teacher grants, student enrichment programs (Running is Elementary, Books and Bots, Short Circuits), annual events (Homecoming, Gala, Job Fair, College and Career Fair), and recognition programs (Thank-a-Teacher, Bus Driver of the Month). The foundation also manages a Naming Rights Program as a major fundraising initiative. Since 1996, PHMEF has disbursed over $1.82 million to support 15 P-H-M schools, funding innovative classroom grants, scholarships, and district-wide programs that fall outside the school budget.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Teacher Grants Grants awarded to Penn-Harris-Madison teachers to fund innovative classroom projects, materials, and educational initiatives that fall outside standard school budgets. Available to all teachers within the P-H-M school corporation.
• Student Scholarships Financial scholarships awarded to graduating Penn-Harris-Madison students to support post-secondary education. Targeted at P-H-M high school seniors pursuing higher education.
• Corporate Sponsorships Sponsorship packages for businesses and organizations to financially support the foundation's programs, events, and naming rights. Provides corporate visibility and community engagement opportunities in exchange for funding.
• Staff Development Funding Financial support for professional development opportunities for Penn-Harris-Madison school staff, enabling teachers and administrators to attend training, conferences, and continuing education programs.
• Enrichment Programs Funding for additional educational programs and enrichment activities that enhance the standard curriculum for Penn-Harris-Madison students. Supports extracurricular learning experiences and special programs.
• Naming Rights Donors and corporate partners can attach their name to specific programs, events, scholarships, or grants in exchange for contributions to the foundation. Provides recognition and visibility for sponsors.
• Fundraising Events Community fundraising events hosted or sponsored by the foundation to generate revenue for P-H-M school programs. Events engage local community members and businesses in supporting public education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.82 million disbursed to P-H-M schools since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Everwise Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 January 2026Renewed 10-year naming rights agreement for Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School. Partnership began in 2015. 80% of funds go to PHMEF Endowment, 20% to teacher professional development.
• Culver's of Granger and MishawakacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Bus Driver of the Month program. Provides gift cards and swag boxes to monthly winners.
• 1st Source BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided Personal Finance information session at Job Fair. Gala sponsor at Scarecrow level.
• Crome GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of PHMEF 30th Anniversary Gala
• United BeveragecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCocktail hour sponsor for 30th Anniversary Gala
• Basney HondacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAfter party sponsor for 30th Anniversary Gala
• Bauer Financial ServicessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Running is Elementary program
• Martin's SupermarketsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Running is Elementary program
• Royal ExcursionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Running is Elementary program
• 1st Source BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Ryan Fenstermaker from 1st Source Bank serves as President-Elect. Scarecrow level Gala sponsor.
• Barnes & Thornburg LLPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Jim Tuesley, Esq. serves as Secretary. Ruby Slipper Gala sponsor.
• EOS (Executives Over Sixty)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Tania Bengtsson, CEO, represents EOS on board. Ruby Slipper Gala sponsor.
• Everwise Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Todd Brown represents Everwise. Major naming rights partner. Gala sponsor. Employee Recognition Dinner co-sponsor.
• May Oberfell LorbercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Laura Faulstich represents firm. Dessert sponsor at Gala. Named Penn High School softball field in 2014 for $25,000.
• Culver'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Keith Remington represents Culver's. Parade sponsor for Homecoming 2026. Bus Driver of the Month sponsor.
• Old National BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Joan Renbarger represents bank. Scarecrow level Gala sponsor.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northern IN Real EstatesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard member Jill Lebbin represents firm on board.
• Indiana Dinosaur MuseumsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Books & Bots dinosaur exploration activity.
• Potawatomi ZoosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided presentation at 2022 Young Authors' Conference.
• Drive & ShinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Homecoming 2026. Provides free carwashes for Thank-a-Teacher honorees ($20 value).
• GibsoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of after school tutoring program at five Title 1 schools.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Indiana Youth Institute: Indiana statewide nonprofit supporting youth development and education across K-12 communities — overlapping education/youth development mission with partial programmatic overlap.

Others

• National School Foundation Association: Industry association supporting K-12 public school foundations nationwide — not a direct competitor but a peer ecosystem and best-practice network relevant to PHMEF's operating model.

Direct peers

• Indianapolis Public Schools Foundation: Indiana K-12 district education foundation supporting Indianapolis Public Schools through teacher grants, scholarships, and enrichment programs — directly analogous operating model to PHMEF at a larger urban scale.
• Carmel Clay Education Foundation: Indiana K-12 education foundation supporting Carmel Clay Schools via classroom grants and community fundraising — comparable suburban Indiana district foundation with similar teacher grant and event-based fundraising model.
• Elkhart Education Foundation: Northern Indiana K-12 education foundation supporting Elkhart Community Schools with classroom grants and enrichment programs — geographically and operationally comparable to PHMEF.
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation: Indiana K-12 district education foundation supporting Hamilton Southeastern Schools with grants and scholarships — closely comparable high-performing suburban Indiana district foundation.

Regional players

• Community Foundation of St. Joseph County: Regional community foundation serving St. Joseph County (which includes Mishawaka) with grantmaking across education, arts, and social services — same geographic footprint with overlapping education grantmaking activity.
• Legacy Foundation: Indiana community foundation serving Lake County with grantmaking and scholarships including education-focused funding — comparable regional grantmaking foundation in Indiana.

Broad incumbents

• Indiana University Foundation: Large-scale Indiana higher education fundraising and grantmaking entity — analogous mission of channeling donor dollars to education but operates at orders-of-magnitude larger scale and at the postsecondary level.
• Lilly Endowment Inc. Major Indiana private foundation with significant education grantmaking activity — operates as a much larger grantmaking foundation in the same state and education mission space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PHMEdFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/phmef.org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvPP3PQLHrblp6P61uB-RyA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phm-education-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Penn-harris-madison Educational Foundation, Inc.