At the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation, we believe supporting public education is about more than a once- (or twice-) a year grant check. Grants matter. They fund creativity, innovation, and opportunity.

But true support?
True support is built through consistent relationship — by simply showing up.

That belief is what sparked a new and beautifully simple initiative this school year: the Adopt-A-Principal Program.

Each member of our Board of Directors selected one (or more) of the 32 principals leading public schools in Champaign and Urbana and made a commitment:

Once a month, deliver a small, unexpected moment of joy.

Sometimes it’s a handwritten note.
Sometimes it’s a favorite treat or a coffee gift card.
Always, it includes this message:
We see you.

The Weight Principals Carry

Being a principal is far more than managing a building.

It means:

    • Leading and coaching teams of teachers and staff

 

  • Supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally

  • Partnering with families

  • Navigating district initiatives and state mandates

  • Managing budgets and staffing challenges

  • Responding to crises

  • Making difficult decisions

  • Setting the culture and tone for an entire school community

It is joyful work. It is meaningful work. And it is often heavy work — the kind that doesn’t neatly end when the students leave for the day or even when summer break begins.

As advocates, allies, and ambassadors for our local public schools, we are honored to provide grants that fund innovative projects, classroom tools, field trips, and creative ideas that motivate students for success.

But we also know this: Support cannot simply be transactional.

That’s why developing community/school relationships is central to our most recent strategic plan, including the Adopt-A-School pilot program and this new extension, Adopt-A-Principal. Both initiatives are rooted in the same idea: schools should know their community cares and is committed to walking alongside them, and we know that doesn’t happen overnight. 

The Power of Consistent Presence

Trust rarely starts with a grand gesture. It starts with consistency. With showing up. 

With saying — month after month:

We’re here.
We care.
You’re not alone.

That’s the heart behind Adopt-A-Principal.

Board members aren’t trying to fix everything. We don’t pretend to fully understand the daily pressures our principals face. We can’t solve every staffing shortage, policy shift, or challenging situation.

But we can be:

  • A steady sounding board

  • A connector to community resources

  • An encourager when the days feel long

  • A visible reminder that the broader community stands with them

And we can promise one important thing: We are here for you – and we are in this for the long-haul.

Because when principals feel supported and connected, they are better equipped to lead teachers well. And when teachers are supported, students thrive.

You Can Do This Too

The beauty of Adopt-A-Principal is that it’s intentionally simple.

It doesn’t require a large budget. It doesn’t demand elaborate planning.

It simply asks: Who can you show up for — consistently?

A note. An email check-in. A quick visit with a smile that requires nothing of them. 
A reminder that someone sees the work being done.

Small acts, repeated over time, build trust. And trust builds stronger schools.

We are so proud of our Board of Directors for embracing this initiative and modeling what it means to be true allies of public education in Champaign and Urbana.

Because the foundation of strong schools isn’t just funding.

It’s relationship.