Education Foundation Looks Ahead as All In For Our Schools Reaches $9.8M

With the close of the 2025-26 school year, the Education Foundation is readying for its next chapter. Since 2022, the Foundation has awarded teacher grants that provide much needed support for classroom enrichment. In September 2025, it joined forces with the Winston-Salem Foundation to launch the transformational All In For Our Schools campaign that raised more than $9.8 million to support Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

The campaign’s WS/FCS Futures Fund, set up by the Winston-Salem Foundation specifically to help the district reduce its unprecedented debt, raised more than $7.4 million. All of the monies raised through the Futures Fund have been applied to the district’s debt to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and external vendors. The district has budgeted to fulfill its remaining debt.

In addition, the All In For Our Schools campaign raised nearly $2.5 million through the Student Success Fund, Classroom Supplies Fund and Bookmarks’ Every Shelf, Every Student Fund. More than $1.4 million was distributed to WS/FCS schools in January 2026for classroom needs with an additional $126,000 remaining in the fund for future needs. Nearly $870,000 was raised for the Student Success Fund which helped pay for student health assessments, volunteer background checks, ESL translation services, and other resources during the school year. And more than$36,000 was raised toward purchases of books and textbooks from the Bookmarks’ Every Shelf, Every Student Fund.

A summary report on the All In For Our Schools campaign can be downloaded at www.wsfcsedfoundation.org/campaign.

“What happened here in Forsyth County as our community rallied around our students, teachers and schools is being shared across the state and beyond as an inspiring example of the value and importance of public education,” said Marni Eisner, executive director of The Education Foundation. “We are excited to build on this community momentum to continue supporting the important work of our teachers and schools across WS/FCS.”

As the Student Success Fund and Classroom Supplies Fund wind down, the Education Foundation has established the All In For Our Schools Fund and will work closely with WS/FCS Superintendent Don Phipps and other district leaders in identifying critical areas for continued support. Donors are invited to support this fund by visiting www.wsfcsedfoundation.org/campaign.

“The financial ecosystem of our public schools remains fragile as local, state and federal leaders reassess annual budgets,” said Eisner. “Private, philanthropic dollars are more crucial than ever to ensuring our teachers and schools have what they need to deliver the highest quality education in Forsyth County. We must remain All In For Our Schools.”

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