The Path To Proficiency
For nearly twenty years, Foundation Academies has proven what's possible when scholars are surrounded by exceptional educators, high expectations, and unwavering support.
Now we're pursuing our boldest goal yet.
By 2030, 85% of our scholars will reach grade-level proficiency.
Because we believe a simple but powerful truth:
The path to proficiency is the path to economic freedom.
The Challenge
Across Trenton, too many children begin school already behind.
Today, only 12% of Trenton children read on grade level.
Only 2% are proficient in math.
These numbers do not reflect our children's potential.
They reflect the urgency of our work.
Why Now?
For the first time in our history, everything is in place.
Our three-campus model is fully operational.
Our schools are 100% staffed by exceptional educators.
Our leadership team is stronger than ever.
The foundation has been built.
Now it's time to invest in what matters most:
The children inside our classrooms.
Building The Path
Reaching 85% proficiency will require more than great classrooms.
It requires removing barriers to learning, investing in extraordinary educators, creating transformational learning environments, preparing scholars for success beyond graduation, and caring for the spaces where futures are built.
Every investment moves a scholar one step closer to opportunity.
Six Ways to Invest
The future of Trenton is already sitting in our classrooms.
The next generation of doctors.
Teachers. Entrepreneurs. Engineers. Artists. Leaders.
Together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to reach proficiency, pursue their dreams, and build a future filled with purpose.
Join us in building the Path to Proficiency.
↓
The Scholar Success Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $2.5 Million
The first step toward economic freedom is removing barriers to success.
The Scholar Success Fund ensures every scholar has access to the essential resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. By addressing the whole child — academically, socially, and personally — we create the conditions where every student can succeed.
This investment will provide scholars with:
Targeted academic support through tutoring, Summer Academy, Saturday learning, and after-school programming
Real-time learning diagnostics to accelerate growth and prepare students for success
Essential resources including uniforms, hygiene products, nutrition services, and transportation
Behavioral supports and partnerships with Trenton’s network of community providers
New dual-language learning opportunities
The Excellent Educators Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $2.8 Million
The second step toward economic freedom is ensuring every scholar has access to excellent educators.
Great teachers change lives. This investment will strengthen our instructional model by ensuring every educator receives the coaching, support, and resources needed to deliver exceptional learning experiences.
This investment will provide:
Daily coaching and feedback cycles for every teacher
Practice-based professional development focused on real classroom impact
A unified teaching methodology and aligned curriculum across every grade level
A Leadership Academy to grow future school leaders from within
Competitive compensation to attract and retain outstanding educators
The Catalytic Classrooms Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $900,000
The third step toward economic freedom is ensuring every scholar has access to the same powerful learning experiences as students in the most privileged communities.
Catalytic classrooms inspire curiosity, creativity, and deeper learning by providing scholars with the tools and experiences that expand what is possible.
This investment will support:
Classroom libraries featuring diverse and engaging texts
Digital resources and innovative learning technologies
STEM materials, mathematics tools, and engineering simulations
Author visits, literacy programs, and family reading experiences
Peer learning opportunities that connect older and younger scholars
The Arts & Athletics Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $1 Million
The fourth step toward economic freedom is helping scholars discover their passions, build confidence, and see a world of possibilities beyond the classroom.
Arts, athletics, literature, and cultural experiences help young people develop leadership, creativity, teamwork, and a stronger sense of identity.
This investment will expand opportunities for scholars to:
Explore creative expression through the arts
Develop discipline and leadership through athletics
Experience new cultures, perspectives, and pathways for growth
The Knight Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $1.5 Million
The fifth step toward economic freedom is ensuring scholars know how to turn their education into opportunity.
Foundation Academies is building a nationally recognized college and career pathway that prepares scholars for success beyond graduation. Through our partnership with the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, we are creating innovative career experiences that begin as early as middle school and continue through age 21. This program provides virtual reality career exploration, paid internship opportunities, mentorship with industry professionals, workplace visits, and access to high-mobility career pathways. To support our graduating seniors, we offer Knight Fund Scholarships.
This investment will provide Foundation Academies graduates with:
Scholarships
Emergency Funds
Mentoring to help them pursue their purpose
The Building Stewardship Fund
Total 3-Year Investment: $1.3 Million
Children come to us as young learners and leave as empowered adults. Within our walls, we build human potential.
A safe, modern, and inspiring learning environment is essential to student success. This investment will preserve and improve our campuses so scholars have the spaces they deserve.
This investment will support:
Roof replacement and structural improvements
HVAC modernization
Enhanced safety and security systems
Classroom renovations
Outdoor learning environments
Ways to Give
DONATE ONLINE
Visit our Donate Page to make an investment in our scholars' future
SEND A CHECK
Mail your contribution to
Friends of Foundation Academies
PO Box 2997
Princeton, NJ 08543
GIVE FROM YOUR IRA
Giving from your IRA can empower FA Scholars
Give From Your IRA
Turn Your Required Withdrawal into a Lasting Legacy
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
Once you reach age 73 (for most individuals), the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount each year from your traditional IRA .
This is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
RMDs are generally treated as taxable income.
The amount you must withdraw depends on your age and the balance in your IRA.
If you don’t take your RMD on time, you may face IRS penalties.
Even if you don’t need the income, you’re still required to take the distribution.
But instead of taking that payout as income, you can donate directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit organization, such as Friends of Foundation Academies, avoid tax liability – and empower FA scholars.
If you are age 70½ or older:
You can give annually up to $111,000 for 2026 (amount adjusted annually) directly from your IRA to qualified charities as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
The distribution goes straight from your IRA custodian to the nonprofit.
The amount donated through a QCD can count toward satisfying your RMD (if you’re required to take one).
The donated amount is generally excluded from your taxable income, which may reduce your overall tax burden.
That’s what we call a win-win.
How to Make a QCD Gift to support Foundation Academies scholars
1) Consult your financial advisor or tax professional to determine how a Qualified Charitable Distribution fits into your overall giving and retirement strategy.
2) Contact your IRA custodian (the financial institution that manages your IRA).
3) Request a Qualified Charitable Distribution payable directly to:
Friends of Foundation Academies
PO Box 2997
Princeton, NJ 08543
Tax ID (EIN): 27-2091277
4) To make a secure electronic transfer, please reach out to the Advancement Team for our wiring instructions. advancement@foundationacademy.org 609-940-2402
5) Let us know your gift is on the way so we can properly acknowledge it.
Important: To be a QCD, funds must be sent directly from your IRA custodian to FOFA. If the distribution is paid to you first, it will not qualify as a
The Impact of Your Investment
As a NJ charter school, Foundation Academies receives $5,000 less per student than a traditional school. Through the Friends of Foundation Academies board, we fundraise for many of the incredible opportunities and services that make an FA education unique.