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Celebrating 40 Years!

Serving Students, Supporting Educators, and Strengthening Schools

For four decades, the Henderson County Education Foundation has connected the generosity of our community with the needs of Henderson County Public Schools.

What began in 1986 with a small group of committed community leaders has grown into a foundation dedicated to creating opportunities, supporting educators, strengthening schools, and helping students reach their full potential.

Our Story Began in 1986

When the Henderson County Education Foundation was formally incorporated on October 8, 1986, few could have predicted the lasting impact it would have on education in Henderson County.

A small group of committed community leaders came together with a simple but ambitious vision: to elevate opportunities for every child in Henderson County.

 

The founding board included:

  • Hardy R. Caldwell
  • Dwight W. Bennett
  • Dr. Alex L. Booth Jr.
  • Mrs. Frank Drake
  • E. L. Justus
  • John H. Love
  • Joe D. Spearman
  • Superintendent Glenn Marlow

Filling Gaps and Creating Possibilities From the Start

From its earliest days, HCEF has focused on identifying needs and finding ways to meet them.

STUDENTS

The Special Fund

The Special Fund for Children, now known as the Spring Fund, gave principals the flexibility to respond quickly when students needed clothing, medical support, assistance with field trips, or other essential resources.

CLASSROOMS

Teacher Mini Grants

Teacher mini grants gave educators the resources to turn creative classroom ideas into reality. 

 

FUTURES

Scholarships

Scholarships opened doors for graduating seniors pursuing music, the arts, vocational training, summer enrichment, and higher education.

These early programs established a model that continues today.

Preserving History Through Education

Johnson Farm

In 1987, brothers Vernon and Leander Johnson gifted an 18th-century homestead to Henderson County Public Schools.

When HCEF took on the restoration of the property, Johnson Farm was little more than a historic site. Through fundraising and community vision, it was transformed into a living heritage center where students can experience history firsthand.

Today, Johnson Farm gives students the opportunity to walk through history, touch it, and learn from it in ways that a textbook alone cannot replicate.

Bullington Gardens

In 1989, the Bullington Estate was donated to the foundation.

The 13-acre property became Bullington Gardens, a horticultural learning center developed through a partnership with Henderson County Public Schools and the NC Cooperative Extension.

Today, Bullington Gardens serves as a vibrant outdoor classroom where students and adults explore natural science, gardening, and environmental stewardship.

These projects demonstrated that education can happen far beyond the traditional classroom.

Honoring Those Who Shape Education

Education Hall of Fame

In 2003, HCEF established the Education Hall of Fame to honor individuals whose dedication and service have shaped Henderson County Public Schools for generations.

The inaugural class included:

  • R.G. Anders
  • Mary Kellogg Bell
  • Charles L. Byrd
  • C.F. Jarvis
  • Ernest L. Justus
  • Dr. William D. Killian
  • Grace E. Ledbetter
  • John R. Marable
  • Glen C. Marlow
  • Dr. Amy F. Pace
  • Hugh D. Randall
  • Susie Smith Sinclair
  • Joe O. Spearman
  • Kenneth B. “Keg” Wheeler

The Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the educators, leaders, and community members whose contributions have helped shape education in Henderson County.

Click to View All Hall of Fame Members

Growing Leaders in Every School

Leader in Me

 In 2012, the first Henderson County school launched Leader in Me, a leadership development framework designed to help students build leadership skills and take greater ownership of their learning and lives.

Today, with support from HCEF, Leader in Me reaches all 23 Henderson County Public Schools.

Each school has made the program its own, weaving leadership principles into daily routines, school culture, and community engagement.

What began in one school has become a districtwide commitment to developing confident, capable student leaders.

Current Impact Across the Educational Journey

Supporting Students. Empowering Educators. Strengthening Schools.

HCEF’s work reaches across the educational journey, creating opportunities for students, empowering educators, and giving schools the resources they need to respond to their communities.

Serving Students

Guidance for the Journey

Pathfinders

connects middle and high school students with a community mentor, guiding students throughout their educational journey and assisting them in creating postsecondary plans for their future.

Outdoor Learning

Mountain Roots

Through programs such as Mountain Roots, students experience hands-on outdoor learning connected directly to their classroom studies and science standards.

Opening Doors

Scholarships

Awarding over 40 Scholarships totaling $125,000 each year for graduating seniors. To help our new kindergarten students “Begin with the End in Mind,” they receive Kindergarten Shirts with their graduating year.

Supporting Educators

Supporting Educators

Mini Grants

Supporting educators and students by providing small- grants for professional development, special projects, and/or field trips.

Growing Educators

Grow Our Own

Grow Our Own helps cultivate the next generation of educators by creating pathways for students and aspiring professionals interested in serving Henderson County schools.

Strengthening Schools

Building Leaders for Life

Leader in Me

LIM is an evidence-based, comprehensive model that builds leadership and life skills in students, creates a high-trust school culture, and lays the foundation for sustained academic achievement.

Meeting Immediate Needs

Spring Fund

The Spring Fund gives all 23 HCPS principals $1,000 each year in discretionary funds to meet the day-to-day emergency needs of their most vulnerable students.

Building Skills for Tomorrow

STEM Education

HCEF investments in STEM provide schools with resources, materials, and real-world learning opportunities that encourage critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem solving.

Inspiring Creativity

Arts Education

Funding strings, visual arts, and performing arts programs in our middle and high schools. We also partner with the Flat Rock Playhouse to bring live productions to elementary schools.

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The People Behind the Mission

Dr. Don Jones

14 Years of Service

Paul Knott

Executive Director from 2014–2016

Summer Stipe

Executive Director from 2017–2021

Peggy Marshall

Executive Director since 2022

40 Years of Community Support

This Story Belongs to Our Community.

For 40 years, HCEF’s work has been made possible by people who believe in the power of education.

Every grant.
Every scholarship.
Every classroom resource.
Every mentoring connection.
Every opportunity.

It starts with community support.

40 Years. Countless Futures.

Help us shape the next 40 years.

Your support helps HCEF serve students, support educators, strengthen schools, and create opportunities that can change a student’s future.

Give Today!
Golf Tournament 2025
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