About Us

Foundations, Inc., a nonprofit organization, is committed to building the quality of educational opportunities for children, youth, and families through work with public and charter schools, school districts, education and community-based organizations, and the afterschool field. As a capacity-building organization, Foundations focuses on professional development, technical assistance, program development, and supporting tools, publications, and services.

At Foundations, we believe that all children deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams, regardless of where they live or the income level of their family. Through our three growing business areas – Afterschool Education, School Services, and Community Initiatives – we work alongside our clients and partners to provide disadvantaged youth with the academic and life skills they need to realize those dreams.

Afterschool Education Initiatives

The best afterschool programs help students develop many different skills: social, emotional, behavioral, and academic. Since 1992, we have provided schools and districts with products and services designed to cultivate these skills. Our assistance includes in-depth professional development, training and consulting, and publications. We also offer program evaluation, technical assistance, and curricula, all tailored to the afterschool setting. Our annual Beyond School Hours conference serves as an additional resource for afterschool educators.

School Services Initiatives

We provide new and existing schools with the expertise they need to improve academic performance, operations, and school culture. We work with schools at all grade levels to help them build capacity in areas such as governance, curriculum and instruction, professional development, and business services. We also manage four schools for the School District of Philadelphia through our Neighborhood School Network (NSN): Robert Fulton Elementary, John L. Kinsey Elementary, Francis R. Pastorius Elementary, and Martin Luther King High School. With our guidance, these schools continue to experience steady progress in safety and climate, leadership, academic performance, and community involvement.

Community Initiatives

Children from low-income households often face many challenges, including crime, poor nutrition, struggling schools, and inadequate healthcare. In 2005, Foundations assembled a coalition of organizations capable of responding to these challenges with long-term solutions. Our ten-year endeavor, KidZone Philadelphia, seeks to help children in Northwest Philadelphia successfully navigate life’s critical transitions, from birth into adulthood. Through coordinated education, employment, and civic engagement initiatives, KidZone Philadelphia partners seek to improve the outlook for these children and become a model of reform that can be adapted in communities nationwide.

Our Mission

Foundations builds the capacity of organizations and individuals to transform the world of learning for children and youth.