FWCS Foundation
FWCS Foundation Mission:
To ensure FWCS has the funds, resources and relationships to provide enhanced educational opportunities for all students to become successful, productive citizens.
FWCS Foundation Vision:
For all FWCS students to have equity, access and excellence to empower them in becoming confident leaders.
The Fort Wayne Community Schools Foundation generates and distributes financial resources to support FWCS in achieving its mission to educate all students to high standards enabling them to become productive, responsible citizens. It is legally separate from FWCS and is recognized by the IRS as exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations to the FWCS Foundation will be used to support educational programs, like b Instrumental, that are proving to be successful. The b Instrumental program provides musical instruments to middle and high school students. Donations may also be unrestricted to fund innovation in new programs or educational tools that have the potential to help FWCS achieve academic improvements.
FWCS Foundation Board Members:
Tom Trent, President
Sarah Strimmenos, Treasurer
Brian Bauer
Cheri Becker
Clifford Clarke
Rick Kinney
Dr. Scott Miller
Kathy Rogers
Dr. Mark Daniel, Ex-Officio
Director of Philanthropy: Mitch Sheppard
b Instrumental Program Manager: Bruce Schneider
Thank You Major Sponsors:
Chuck and Lisa Surack
Sweetwater Sound, Inc.
The Auer Foundation
Ambassador Enterprises
The James Foundation
White Lodging
Tim and Libby Ash Foundation
AWS Foundation
English Bonter Mitchell Foundation
Parkview Health
ProFed Credit Union
Wilson Foundation
Yergens Rogers Foundation
“If I hadn’t started playing a music instrument, there would be no Sweetwater.”
Chuck Surack, Founder and CEO of Sweetwater, graduate of Wayne High School
FWCS is making great progress in improving academic achievement and the Foundation Board works to ensure it is adequately funded to continue its success. Funds raised are used to invest in innovative programs that further increase academic results. The Foundation Board most recently raised funds for the "b Instrumental" program, which provides musical instruments to students in 7th through 12th grade and also provides small group instruction and summer music camps for students
The b Instrumental program was created to expand the number of students who have the opportunity to play a musical instrument. Research shows studying music benefits students’ cognitive and social development. The over 400 students now participating in the program have better attendance, higher test scores and fewer discipline issues than other students.
To learn more about this amazing program, please visit b Instrumental

Music—the gift that gives back.
Research shows that investments in music education provide students with measurable benefits:- Improved memory and well-being
- Higher self-esteem
- Increased math proficiency by grade 12
- An average increase of 63 points in verbal & 44 points in math on SAT tests
- Higher graduation rates
Support music education in Fort Wayne and say, “I’m with the Band!”
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