The South Bend Education Foundation and South Bend Alumni Association are merging to create a united organization.
The South Bend Education Foundation and South Bend Alumni Association are combining with the goal of amplifying student, teacher and community success.
The two groups have a shared legacy of impact on South Bend schools. The Alumni Association is celebrating 40 years of fostering extracurricular enrichment and student leadership. The Education Foundation is marking over 30 years of championing innovation and classroom success.
“This is about legacy and vision,” said Kris Arizmendi Choinacky, CEO of the newly merged South Bend Education Foundation, in a press release. “We’re building on decades of service to create a future-focused support system for our schools. One voice, one network, one unwavering commitment to public education.”
Discussions of a merger between these two organizations have occurred on and off again for more than a decade, according to Jory Fitzgerald, South Bend Education Foundation board chair.
“After a year and half of strategic discussions and planning by a task force comprised of members of both nonprofits board of directors, we’ve succeeded,” Fitzgerald said. “There’s never been a time when public schools, students and teachers have more needed our support and we are unified in our determination to do just that.”
Programs like the South Bend Community Hall of Fame, student scholarships, teacher grants and wish lists, along with student-led enrichment projects, will continue and grow. The merger streamlines operations, deepens community engagement and focuses energy on a single, shared mission: supporting South Bend’s public schools with purpose and unity.
“This merger is about impact,” Miguel Salazar, South Bend Education Foundation immediate past chair, said. “By bringing together our shared history and resources, we can better support teachers in their classrooms and students in their passions. Stronger together, we’re ensuring public education in South Bend thrives for generations to come.”
Mansour Eid, South Bend Community School Corp. superintendent, said students succeed when the community stands behind them.
“This merger is a powerful example of collaboration in action, uniting to ensure every student has the support, opportunities and encouragement they deserve,” Eid said.
The South Bend Education Foundation will debut its expanded programming this fall.
