Looking Ahead
HEF Strategic Plan 2026-2029
The future of HEF starts here.
Our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan is the product of thoughtful collaboration, bold thinking, and a shared commitment to ensuring every Henrico student has access to the opportunities, support, and resources they need to thrive. Over the past year, HEF engaged educators, school leaders, HCPS partners, donors, board members, community supporters, and staff in meaningful conversations about our successes, challenges, and opportunities ahead. Together, these voices helped shape a strategic roadmap that will guide our work, strengthen our partnerships, and focus our efforts where we can make the greatest impact. We are energized by the direction this plan sets and excited to work alongside our community to bring it to life.
Our Mission
Cultivating relationships and mobilizing resources to expand opportunities for Henrico students.
Our Vision
Every student is equipped with the opportunities, support, and resources they need to shape their own future.
Our Purpose
Henrico Education Foundation (HEF) brings people, partnerships, and resources together to expand opportunity and fuel innovation for students in Henrico County Public Schools. Through collaborative work across the community, from early learning and afterschool enrichment to educator grants, scholarships, and division-wide initiatives, we help bring ideas to life and respond to real needs in ways that create lasting impact.
Our Program Pillars
HEF's work spans four interconnected areas, each contributing to our mission of expanding opportunity and fueling innovation for every Henrico student.
Learning Pathways:
Direct programs that support student learning, enrichment, and readiness through out-of-school time and early learning: 21st Century Programs (CLC), Learning & Discovery (L&D), and Virginia Early Learning Partners (VAELP).
Opportunity in Action:
Funding and support that expand access and create opportunities for students and educators: Innovative Grants, scholarships, student grants, field trip assistance, CTE competition support, school support projects, and related assistance.
Trusted Stewardship:
HEF's role as a fiscal and administrative partner managing initiatives and funds on behalf of HCPS and aligned efforts: Career and Technical Education, Family and Community Engagement, TeleHealth Clinics, McKinney-Vento, CodeRVA, Students of Promise, and additional requested events.
School Community Initiatives:
Divisionwide experiences, recognitions, strategic supports, and shared school-community efforts that strengthen connection, celebration, and engagement across HCPS: LifeReady '26, Teacher of the Year support, Teen Summit, All Henrico Reads, Challenger Day, academic enrichment event support, and special projects.
Strategic Focus Area 1
Divisionwide Partnership and Engagment
Goal: HEF will strengthen division-wide relationships and engagement, so its support reflects the priorities, strengths, and opportunities of schools across Henrico County.
Why this Matters: Strong, consistent engagement across HCPS ensures HEF's work remains informed, relevant, and responsive to the needs of schools and students. It reinforces HEF's role as a trusted, strategic partner in advancing opportunities across the division.
Strategy: Advance a structured, division-wide outreach and engagement approach. Strengthen HEF’s intentional and coordinated partnership with HCPS through regular leadership and operational touchpoints, while ensuring Henrico schools are meaningfully engaged in conversations that foster strong relationships and inform HEF’s support of each school’s needs.
Strategic Focus Area 2
Community Investment and Growth
Goal: HEF will inspire broader community investment to grow resources, deepen partnerships, and expand its impact for students, educators, and schools.
Why this Matters: Greater support from community and philanthropic partners expands HEF's capacity to support students, educators, and schools in meaningful ways. It strengthens the foundation's long-term sustainability and deepens the connection between community investment and student success.
Strategy: Spread a culture of community investment. Strengthen HEF’s fundraising infrastructure, donor stewardship, and community presence to deepen corporate and community investment and diversify revenue streams that balance HEF’s funding portfolio and expand capacity to serve more Henrico students.
Strategic focus area 3
Program Impact and Sustainability
Goal: HEF will advance student-centered programs and investments that are impactful, sustainable, and strategically positioned for long-term success.
Why this Matters: Focusing on initiatives with a clear purpose and enduring value enables HEF to deliver meaningful results for students and educators over time. It reflects thoughtful stewardship of resources and strengthens confidence in the foundation's ability to invest where it can make the greatest difference.
Strategy: Enhance program assessment and sustainability. Conduct focused assessments of HEF’s student-centered programs to evaluate impact, sustainability, resource needs, and long-term viability, while establishing clear parameters, standards, and data collection practices that support continuous assessment and a more strategic approach to future program development and investment.
Strategic focus area 4
Organizational Strength and Alignment
Goal: HEF will sustain a high-functioning organization rooted in alignment, accountability, and collaboration to maximize mission-driven results.
Why this Matters: A strong organizational foundation enables HEF to operate with clarity, consistency, and shared purpose in service of its mission. When people, systems, and priorities are aligned, the organization is better positioned to amplify impact and respond effectively to school needs.
Strategy: Fortify HEF's internal foundation by refining operational standards, aligning roles with priorities, and bolstering financial resilience while fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation. Simultaneously, advance a structurally sound board that reflects the communities HEF serves through clear governance practices, intentional recruitment and onboarding, and ongoing engagement that positions board members as active mission partners.