Investing in Students. Supporting Educators. Strengthening Our Community.

The Chambersburg Area Education Foundation (CAEF) partners with families, alumni, businesses, and community members to enhance educational opportunities for the students and educators of the Chambersburg Area School District. Our Mission is to advance educational opportunities by securing and providing independent support that enhances student academic and career development.

OUR HISTORY

The Chambersburg Area Education Foundation (CAEF) was established in 1994 to strengthen educational opportunities for students in the Chambersburg Area School District (CASD). Created as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CAEF was built on a simple idea: when a community invests in its schools, students, teachers, and families thrive.

In its early years, the Foundation focused on connecting community partners with classroom needs and providing modest teacher mini-grants. Local businesses, civic groups, and alumni quickly embraced the mission, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of support for public education in Chambersburg. These early partnerships laid the groundwork for what would become one of the region’s most active and community-driven education foundations.

By the early 2000s, CAEF expanded to manage and award scholarships on behalf of families, individuals, and organizations who wished to honor loved ones, support post-secondary access, or invest in the future workforce. Over time, the Foundation grew its scholarship portfolio to more than 100 annual awards, serving students pursuing two and four-year degrees, trade programs, and dual-enrollment opportunities.

As the Foundation evolved, so did its impact. CAEF launched new initiatives to support innovative teaching, literacy, STEAM education, and hands-on learning experiences. Funding from individuals, alumni, district staff, and local businesses has made it possible to bring cutting-edge projects into CASD classrooms—from robotics and engineering applications to arts enrichment, reading interventions, and other programs shaped by the creativity of CASD educators.

Today, the Chambersburg Area Education Foundation stands as a bridge between the school district and the broader community, ensuring that resources, ideas, and opportunities flow directly to students and teachers. Through scholarships, classroom grants, community partnerships, and special initiatives, CAEF continues its mission of enriching education and expanding what is possible for every student in the Chambersburg Area School District.

Now in its third decade of service, CAEF remains rooted in the belief that strong schools build strong communities, and that every child deserves access to meaningful, life-changing educational opportunities. With the continued support of donors, families, and community partners, the Foundation is committed to inspiring excellence—for today’s students and all the generations to come.