Business and community leaders unite to provide essential classroom resources for Fayette County Public Schools When Fayette County Public Schools didn’t include additional funding for classroom supplies in its final budget, members of Lexington's business community stepped forward to help. As a result, Commerce Lexington, Central Bank, Keeneland and Daren and Kirsten Turner have established the Classroom Essentials Fund, a collaborative initiative that will provide teachers and school leaders with funding for essential classroom supplies and instructional resources for the 2026–2027 school year. As the philanthropic arm of Commerce Lexington, the Foundation is serving as the trusted convener and administrator of the fund, bringing together businesses, community organizations, Fayette County Public Schools and Equity Solutions Group to ensure contributions are distributed with accountability, transparency and measurable impact. The Classroom Essentials Fund launches with an initial commitment of more than $500,000 (and growing), made possible through generous contributions from business partners listed below. Additional businesses and community partners are encouraged to join the effort, with 100 percent of every contribution going directly to classroom and instructional needs. A Shared Commitment to Lexington Teachers and Students For many years, Commerce Lexington and the business community have made public education a priority in our community because it directly impacts our workforce,” said Carla Blanton, chair of the Commerce Lexington Foundation. “Our organization exists to convene leaders and build partnerships to support workforce development and the economic well-being of our community. challenges. The Commerce Lexington Foundation is the catalyst for finding solutions to pressing business and community needs. When members of our business community approached us about helping address this need, we were honored to convene partners around a solution that directly supports our teachers, our students and ultimately our region's future economic vitality." The initial phase of the initiative will provide $125 per teacher for essential classroom and instructional needs. Elementary teachers will receive individual purchasing allocations, while middle and high school funds will be managed at the school level, allowing principals and faculty to prioritize shared departmental needs. Our sole focus is ensuring that teachers and students have the practical tools they need to succeed from day one," said Luther Deaton Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Central Bank. "Teachers should be able to focus on educating students—not worrying about whether they have the resources needed in their classrooms. We are proud to partner with the Commerce Lexington Foundation and other community leaders to help meet this need." Understanding the Impact of Classroom ResourceHaving basic school supplies like pens, paper and notebooks can make all the difference in a successful school year. National education data shows that students who are properly equipped for the year are far more likely to actively participate in classroom activities and learning. Unfortunately, teachers often quietly carry the burden of filling these gaps themselves. AdoptAClassroom.org found that educators spend an average of $800 annually out of their own pockets to provide supplies for their students. Our teachers invest so much of themselves in our students every day," said Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of Keeneland. "Supporting this initiative is one meaningful way we can invest back in them and demonstrate our appreciation for the important work they do to prepare the next generation." The Classroom Essentials Fund is designed to help reduce that burden while ensuring students have access to the materials they need to learn and succeed. To maximize the impact of every donation, the Commerce Lexington Foundation has partnered with Equity Solutions Group, which will administer a secure online purchasing platform. Teachers and principals will purchase approved classroom supplies through participating educational vendors, benefiting from discounted educational pricing while providing complete transparency, receipt documentation and expenditure tracking. The first purchasing window for teachers and school leaders will open Aug. 5 through Aug. 20, with a second opportunity planned for January 2027 using any remaining balances and additional community contributions received throughout the fall. The Commerce Lexington Foundation, Equity Solutions Group and Fayette County Public Schools have agreed to waive all administrative fees associated with the initiative, ensuring that 100 percent of every donation directly benefits classrooms. Businesses and organizations interested in supporting the Classroom Essentials Fund may make tax-deductible contributions through the Commerce Lexington Foundation. Financial institutions may also be eligible for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) consideration for qualifying gifts. Additional Investors Include:
Questions?
Contact Lisa Mahan, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at [email protected] or 859-226-1605. Comments are closed.
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330 East Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507
Phone: (859) 254-4447
COMMERCE LEXINGTON® and the Commerce Lexington logo are registered trademarks of Commerce Lexington.
330 East Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507
Phone: (859) 254-4447