Our Mission
Our History
The Big Walnut Education Foundation was founded in 1994 with a $20,000 donation.
From that, we awarded our first $6,000 in scholarships in 1995.
That first donation in 1994 initiated a giving movement in our community.
In 2020, we awarded $92,500 to 73 Big Walnut High School students and alumni.
Altogether, Big Walnut students have received over $1.8 million since 1994. These scholarships are paid with interest, dividends, and capital gains—allowing our $1,500,000+ principal to continue growing.
The Big Walnut Education Foundation Board
We run on transparency and frugality, which means we are completely volunteer driven by a group of individuals who are passionate about Big Walnut youth, their futures, and the future of our community at large.
I raised my family here in the Big Walnut community, and my children graduated from the school district. I support the Foundation because I believe in giving back to our community. It is always good to help our children!
I’m a lifelong Sunbury resident and graduated from Big Walnut High School in 1985. My wife Renee and I have four children and are active members of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. We are both consistent volunteers and advocates for our community; I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve local youth on the Board of Directors for the Big Walnut Education Foundation.
I support the BWEF because I love being part of the Big Walnut community and I truly value education. Two great things that go great together.
One of my long-term, ongoing goals is to be a solid advocate for Big Walnut students. Outside of my time with the BWEF, I served as an administrator in BW schools including as Vice-Principal and Athletic Director. I’ve been happy to support Big Walnut students for decades.
I grew up a fourth generation student in the Big Walnut School System, and I went to college with the help of scholarships. Today I am grateful to raise my children in our community and to serve through the Big Walnut Education Foundation—a rewarding way to give back by helping create opportunities for Big Walnut graduates.
I give to BWEF because I feel it’s important to give back to the community that helped raise our kids. I wanted to stay involved and continue to try to make a difference in our school district.
As a counselor, one of my roles was to work with scholarships. Also, both of my daughters were awarded Big Walnut Education Foundation Scholarships—so I know how the awards helped our family and would like to help other families.
As a graduate of Big Walnut Schools I am so proud to be a part of the Big Walnut Education Foundation. Shortly after graduation from college I came back to Big Walnut to raise my children in this district because of the schools and the close-knit community. I love being able to work with the Big Walnut Community to bring as many resources to our students as possible.
I work locally and have children in Big Walnut schools. I believe it’s important to support all Big Walnut students.
Our Purpose
- To provide funding for special educational needs in the Big Walnut School District.
- To provide loans, grants or scholarships for students or graduates of Big Walnut.
- To act as custodian for current and future memorial funds within the Big Walnut School District.
- To be an ongoing, fund-raising, tax-deductible recipient and administrator of gifts from persons who would like to make a difference and a contribution toward the educational needs and opportunities through the Foundation.