Real Students. Real Families. Real Impact.

This afternoon, Costco (in partnership with Citi) asked me to donate to their nonprofit partner as part of Giving Tuesday. Flattered as I am that they thought of me, my time, talent, and treasure are focused on something closer to home: education in Cleveland. I’d love for you to consider joining in changing the lives and trajectory of our children (and if you’re an Ohio resident, you can do this at no net cost to you).

When you do this, you’re not funding an abstract idea. You’re supporting real students. Real families. Right here in Cleveland: 

• Cora’s mom kept her home last year because she was worried about safety at her daughter’s neighborhood school. With a special-needs toddler and a newborn at home as well, homeschooling was not working. In just 3 months, Cora has gone from knowing 8 letters to beginning to read.

• Shauna’s daughter has moved several times and been in various schools. For Shauna, giving her daughter a smaller environment where she would be supported and truly known was key.  The individualized instruction and mixed-age model have allowed us to address academic gaps and have her on a trajectory to soar. 

• Oliver’s parents wanted a values-aligned environment that wouldn’t crush his creativity. He began the year elsewhere but the rigid structure and rewards-based behavior system wasn’t a fit. He started the year knowing about half his letters and is now tackling first- and second-grade work.

Our families’ median household income is $37,000. Three-quarters live in neighborhoods with zero quality school options. We’re committed to ensuring that a high-quality private school education is available to any family in Cleveland. Forest City Academy offers this education for a fraction of what districts spend or other private schools charge. We receive $6,166 per pupil in state scholarship funds. It helps immensely, but it doesn’t close the full gap.

Here’s the amazing thing: if you’re an Ohio resident, you can redirect taxes that you already owe to provide scholarships for Forest City Academy students. Instead of sending that money to Columbus, you can literally send it to Forest City Academy.

How:

1. Donate to a scholarship granting organization

2. Select Forest City Academy

3. Get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. (credit > deduction)

With your partnership, we can remain the most accessible option for families living on the east side. We are keeping our promise to families of an environment where their child is safe, will learn to read, and will absolutely love coming to school every day. At the same time, we’re just scratching the surface of what we want to do. You can help write the future of our region, one in which any family who says I want something more for my child can find their home at Forest City Academy. 

What your support makes possible:

• $150- Class visit to local Mexican restaurant to practice professionalism and learn about other cultures (and Taco Tuesday)

• $250- Fresh Fruits/Veggies for the school for 1 month

• $500- Literacy Revamp- class set of decodable readers, take-home books for kids, phonics games

• $750- Exploration Lab Upgrade: Legos, Magna tiles, and Marble Run for the builders, paint and art supplies for the artists, board games for the gamers, and agility ladder and materials for the athletes

• $1,500- Q3 or Q4 enrichment course 

• $3,500- Close the gap for an additional student to attend Forest City Academy 

Thank you for helping create the kind of education Cleveland’s children deserve and the future they are ready to step into.

How to give:

Ohio Residents: 

• Give up to $750 (individual) or $1,500 (couple) to the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Every Child Every Family 

• Select Forest City Academy 

• Receive a dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit.

Anyone else, please give here (after all, when Cleveland wins, America wins) 

Thanks for your belief in our students.