Crayons and Beyond was founded nearly 30 years ago because teachers routinely spend their own money year after year to provide for their classrooms and their students. This issue is as prevalent today as it was then.
Each day teachers in classrooms across our area are met with challenges—challenges to meet the needs of their students, to teach in an ever-changing world, and to support their students’ overall wellbeing. Thanks to YOU, Crayons is here to meet those challenges.
Crayons and Beyond has officially announced the launch of a $6.1 million comprehensive campaign to double the number of students and teachers served by the 2030-2031 school year.
The campaign entered its public phase alongside Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Campaign Steering Committee members — led by Honorary Campaign Chair Sam Hubbard, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals — for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating both the campaign launch and the reopening of newly renovated spaces.
The goals of the campaign are threefold:
Through the campaign, the Hubbard’s Cupboard and Online-Ordering-for-Delivery programs will expand so that each program serves 70 different schools by the 2030-2031 school year. By pushing product into schools, Crayons will serve teachers and students more fully than ever before—reaching nearly 50% of the 300+ K-12 schools currently served.
“By expanding the Hubbard’s Cupboard program, teachers and students will be
supported more fully than ever before. That means making sure students have access to
essential school supplies, healthy snacks, and hygiene items—right when they need them.
When we remove these everyday barriers, we give students the confidence and stability to
focus on learning, and that’s an investment that pays dividends for our entire community.”
– Sam Hubbard, founder of the Sam Hubbard Foundation
Early fundraising from local foundations and generous individuals has already set Crayons at 77% towards the goal. In fact, the third goal — modernization and optimization of physical spaces — was just completed. The $2.5 million revitalization of the building at 1350 Tennessee Ave and 1365 Tennessee Ave. The updated Store has new floors, new walls, new and accessible restrooms, and a new and secure entryway. Across the street at 1365 Tennessee Ave, the building has been completely renovated to include the future home for the Hubbard’s Cupboard program as well as creating a flexible space for teacher workshops, volunteer orientations and projects, and more.
Finally, the campaign will eliminate the teacher access fee as early as the 2028 school year.
A successful campaign will result in doubling the number of teachers and students Crayons serves by the 2030-31 school year to a projected 9,000 and 120,000, respectively.
Fundraising efforts include the creation of the Amy Cheney Fund, to honor the retiring CEO’s dedication and years of service to Crayons. Under Cheney’s leadership, the groundwork for this transformational campaign was thoughtfully established. She played a significant role in the planning of the silent phase and the campaign’s early momentum before her retirement in March.
“The Amy Cheney Fund was established in honor of Amy’s retirement and to recognize her years of dedicated service and lasting impact on Crayons. Reflecting Amy’s deep commitment to equity in education, the fund is designated to eliminate the teacher access fee—ensuring that every teacher can access essential classroom supplies regardless of financial barriers,” shares Board Chair William Harrod.
The transition to the public phase offers the Board of Trustees, Campaign Steering Committee, and Crayons leadership team the opportunity to carry this work forward alongside the organization’s dedicated supporters. Early contributors to the campaign include the Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc., the Farmer Family Foundation, the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Johnson Charitable Gift Fund, and the Procter & Gamble Company.
Click on the images below for a larger view of the Case for Support, Campaign Leadership, and Gift Intent Form.
To learn about naming opportunities or if you have additional questions, please contact:
Betsy Wilson
Interim President & CEO
bwilson[at]crayonsandbeyond.org
513-482-6803