About Us

The New Haven Schools Foundation was established in 1981 by then-New Haven Unified School District Superintendent Guy Emanuele to help expand educational opportunities for local students. From the beginning, the Foundation focused on supporting programs and experiences that could not always be funded through traditional school budgets. Additional details about the Foundation’s origins and early leadership are shared later in this history.

The Foundation began awarding scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing college, trade school, vocational training, and career education opportunities. During the same period, NHSF also began supporting extracurricular and co-curricular programs throughout the district, including nationally recognized student programs such as the award-winning James Logan High School Forensics program and many other student activities.

In October 2007, the Foundation became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, separate from the stewardship of the New Haven Unified School District. This transition established a renewed mission focused on long-term growth, community partnerships, and expanded educational support programs.

The “Innovations in Education” teacher grant program was established to fund creative classroom projects and academic programs that enhance student learning experiences across the district.

NHSF partnered with the New Haven Boosters Association on the “Race to Save Student Activities,” a community fundraising campaign designed to preserve student enrichment programs during statewide budget cuts. The partnership later became permanent, with NHBA joining NHSF.

“Project: Enrichment” was created to support co-curricular and extracurricular activities led by teachers, coaches, advisors, and student organizations throughout New Haven schools.

The Foundation began implementing new technology systems that streamlined scholarship administration, grant management, fundraising events, and online auctions. The adoption of the AwardSpring scholarship platform significantly expanded the Foundation’s scholarship program and improved access for students and sponsors.

The Brian Kelly Memorial Fund was established to support tutoring and literacy programs that strengthen academic success and expand learning opportunities for students.

The STEM Grant Program was launched to support innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning opportunities for students from kindergarten through high school.

Like many nonprofit organizations, NHSF faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite fundraising limitations and operational disruptions, the Foundation’s long history of fiscal responsibility enabled it to continue supporting students and educational programs during a difficult period for schools and families.

The New Haven Legacy Society was created to encourage planned giving and long-term investment in local education. Through estate planning and legacy gifts, donors can help sustain scholarships and educational programs for future generations of New Haven students.

The Alumni Connections Program was established to reconnect graduates of the New Haven Unified School District with their schools and community. The program creates opportunities for alumni networking, mentorship, volunteerism, and philanthropic support while helping strengthen long-term connections between alumni and future generations of students.

Today, the New Haven Schools Foundation awards nearly $300,000 annually in scholarships and has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships since 2007. Through grants, enrichment funding, STEM initiatives, community partnerships, and donor support, NHSF continues to invest in programs that help New Haven students succeed in school and beyond.