Specific inquiries
jim@cornerstoneeducationalsupportinc.org
tammy@cornerstoneeducationalsupportinc.org
(Send all general inquiries to Tammy.)
Mailing Address:
903 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
903 Main Street Manchester, CT 06040
ABOUT CES
(CORNERSTONE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, INC.)
How and Why We Began
As the result of a mutual desire to help The Cornerstone Christian School (CCS) develop a viable financial plan to not just survive from year to year but to also thrive into the future, Jim Hawkins and Tammy Choleva attended a Donor Development Bootcamp in August of 2022. This bootcamp was hosted by Herzog Foundation and took place in Kansas City, Missouri. During the conference, Jim and Tammy learned the difference between (a) conducting annual fundraisers to help close the gap on the school's annual budget and (b) developing relationships with potential donors who can help build a more financially stable future for the school.
Jim and Tammy attended the conference very aware of the need for continued annual fundraising conducted by the school. This is particularly due to the school's belief (since first opening its doors in 1981) that education at a Christian school should not solely be available to the elite and should instead be available to families regardless of their socio-economic status. In faith each year, the CCS school board sets its tuition for every K-12 student at a rate lower than the actual cost of a CCS education, while asking the Lord to bring alongside the school generous donors who will partner with the school as it annually awards over $100,000 in financial aid packages to all its K-12 students.
According to EducationData.org:
$28,894
is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Connecticut.
$23,260
is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
$41,711
is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
Connecticut private schools are the most expensive in the nation. Secondary private schools cost more than twice the national average. The only district/state with more expensive private elementary schools is Washington D.C.
Students receive a quality education from a biblical worldview at The Cornerstone Christian School at less than half the cost of the average private school tuition in the State of Connecticut. This has only been possible by the grace of God:
- through financial sacrifices of CCS's faculty and staff and their deep commitment to the value of Christian education and its impact on families, their communities, and the world
- due to Manchester Church of the Nazarene's decades-long commitment to supporting the ministry of Christian education
- via student enrollment initiated by parents dedicated to partnering with CCS to provide their children with a Christ-focused education through an academically rigorous and accredited program
- with the help of CCS families in seeking the kind and generous support of their family, friends, and local communities through CCS's annual fundraisers.
With regard to the annual fundraisers, they only help meet the current year's budget, without taking into account such additional needs as teacher support, classroom enrichment, building improvement projects, alumni support, and so on. It was with this awareness in mind that a brainchild was birthed from the conference. Specifically, the idea was to launch a 501(c)(3) that is separate from both The Cornerstone Christian School and the church that supports the school (Manchester Church of the Nazarene), while being a 501(c)(3) that exists to support the school. Furthermore, the funds raised by this new nonprofit entity will help CCS address expenses not covered by school tuition or school fundraising. The result was the launch of Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc.
Tax Exempt and Charitable Solicitation Status:
Effective June 8, 2023, Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc. was determined to be exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) and has been classified as a public charity. Our FEIN is 93-1543512. Additionally, per our Public Charity Registration # CHR.0067540, the State of Connecticut has granted us permission (effective November 1, 2023) to solicit charitable donations, including fundraising in Connecticut.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to seek partners and develop relationships that inspire giving to positively impact The Cornerstone Christian School’s students, teachers, their communities, and the world.
Meet the Board
Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc. is volunteer driven, including the voluntary efforts of the board members and anyone else whom the Lord calls to volunteer his or her time to help fulfill its mission.
Jim Hawkins
President and Director
Tammy Choleva
Secretary-Treasurer and Director
Tara Avila-Medina
Director
Susannah Howe
Director
Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc. is a 501(c)(3). Per our letter of determination from the IRS, "Donors can deduct contributions they make to [us] under IRC Section 170 [specifically, IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)]. [We are] also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522."
Our FEIN is 93-1543512. Additionally, per our Public Charity Registration # CHR.0067540, the State of Connecticut has granted us permission (effective November 1, 2023) to solicit charitable donations, including fundraising in Connecticut.
GENERAL SOLICITATION DISCLOSURE and DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc. "...is organized for exclusively religious, charitable, educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under said Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Specifically, the organization will provide charitable assistance to The Cornerstone Christian School."
Information concerning Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc., including financial information, may be obtained without cost by writing to our principal place of business at the following address: Cornerstone Educational Support, Inc., 903 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040; or by calling Tammy at (860)295-3295.
NEW YORK
Our NYS registration number is 50-29-17. A copy of our most recent annual report is available from the Office of the Attorney General at the Division of Social Justice, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10005, (212)416-8401.
PENNSYLVANIA
Our PA registration number is 122007.