Leading With Purpose
Kris Holland has worked in the nonprofit world since 2008, managing fundraising opportunities and planning large signature events. Holland knows the importance of connecting individuals to available resources to help move them forward.
In February, Holland accepted the position of executive director for the Avon Education Foundation (AEF) and hit the ground running.
“When the opportunity came up, I realized this was a place I want to be,” Holland said. “I applied and went through the interview process, and I’ve been more than excited to take this role. I’ve had a wonderful time learning about the schools here in Avon, and it allows me to be a part of my local community, something I’ve always valued.”
In just the first few months, Holland has been meeting with businesses throughout Avon to share how AEF is impacting students and educators in the school system. They are arranging phone calls and meetings with current sponsors and have joined local groups such as Hendricks County Professional Women and Hendricks County Women Connect.
“Each time, I walk away having had the opportunity to share more about AEF with them, and I’ve met a potential sponsor,” Holland said. “I consider myself a storyteller. I’ve been pretty good at grant writing, and I enjoy turning the data into a story that people can connect with.”
AEF exists to support creativity, innovation and excellence in the Avon Community School Corporation through the support of corporate and private partnerships.
Over the past two decades, AEF has given away approximately $900,000 in Helping Hands grants and school supplies through the Supply Our School Store, operated by Work Study students at the high school.
The Helping Hands grant applications sent in by teachers routinely shine a light on the imagination and creativity of educators across the district. They have sent teachers on professional development journeys, classrooms on special field trips and poured new and unique educational materials into the classroom year after year.
“They have come up with some really interesting things ranging from baby duck eggs at an elementary school to suture kits for a high school science class,” Holland said. “It’s always exciting to see those ideas.”
Likewise, the Supply Our School Store has made a significant impact.
“The Supply Our School Store provides supplies to teachers and satisfied at least 300 orders last year. I’m so grateful for the Work Study students because we are getting several orders per week, and it’s a big undertaking,” Holland said.
AEF is known for several signature events, ranging from Monte Carlo Night in the spring to the summer Supply It Forward event.
“I think Supply It Forward is what I spend the most time talking about with people. I’m really excited to get to be there for these students in a unique way, and I think what often surprises people is the numbers. They know we give away school supplies and grants to teachers, but it’s a surprise to many just how many students and educators benefit,” Holland said.
For example, nearly half of the students attending Avon Community School Corporation qualify for free and reduced lunch, and with prices continuing to increase, Holland expects to see several thousand students engage in the Supply It Forward program as the 2026-27 school year approaches.
Holland said they’ve met all administrators across the district, but the work being done through special fundraising events, the Supply Our School Store and Helping Hands grants is slowly introducing them to the teachers as well.
And when in doubt, the AEF board is there to help guide Holland through questions and planning the large fundraising events.
“The AEF board is one of the most actively involved boards I’ve been fortunate enough to work with,” Holland said. “They are out there every day doing the work. They’re picking up items for the next event or helping shop for bulk school supplies. I’m still learning and don’t know where one would even go to get bulk school supplies, so they’ve been tremendously helpful. It’s been great, and we have a few new folks joining this spring, so I’m excited to see what they bring as well.”
Holland hopes to launch a few new fundraising initiatives later this year to further increase the outreach and give the community more ways to be involved. However, there are plenty of ways the community can help now.
“There’s a donation link on our webpage, and it also shares information about all of our programs, but outside of financial donations, we need volunteers too. We need people willing to hand out school supplies this summer or someone to check in the kids at our summer camps,” Holland said. “I’d love to expand that volunteer aspect of AEF and get the community more involved in what we are doing.”
Visit avoneducationfoundation.org for more information.
