The Partnership's History

In 1989, a group of business and philanthropic leaders from Stark County founded the Partnership to mobilize and coordinate private sector resources in support of the community's 150 schools. Since then, we have raised more than $13 million from private sources to expand learning opportunities for the children of Stark County and the professionals who teach them. We have provided financial resources and technical assistance for education projects identified by 10 councils of educators and other citizens.

The Partnership's Early Successes
Developing a Summer Arts Institute that trained hundreds of educators to integrate art education into existing courses to expand students' capacity to think and express themselves.

Collaborating with the Timken Foundation, Stark State College of Technology, Kent State University, Malone College, Mount Union College, Walsh University, Ashland University, and the Stark County Educational Service Center to develop Science and Math in Motion (SAMM), which loans scientific equipment to Stark County high schools.

Brokering nearly $4 million in matching grants from government and local sources to supplement local education improvement programs. This accomplishment is the true hallmark of philanthropic public/private partnerships: using seed money to secure additional funding and support to sustain programs over time.

Supporting the Stark County Educational Service Center in elementary science instruction in collaboration with 16 school districts through a project known as Science Education Enhancing the Development of Skills (SEEDS). It's the largest local effort to strengthen science education in Ohio's history.

Creating the Acceleration Project, an after-school program that helped raise aspirations of "average" students who otherwise might not strive to reach their potential.

Organizing a Summer Outreach for Achievement in Research and Science (SOARS), a camp that cultivated a challenging and nurturing environment for middle school girls who typically lose confidence and interest in math and science.

Funding the Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) project, which brought scientists, engineers, and mathematicians into schools to help teachers and students make clearer connections between the classroom and the world outside it.

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