Fortify Foundation seeks to impact Christian schools by developing long range financial strategies that will help ensure a multi-generational impact. It is always exciting to hear of new Christian schools being established to help further the cause of Christ in discipling the next generation for Him. Our desire is to see Christian schools establish a solid footing in their immediate strategy in hopes that someday we can come alongside and develop their infinite strategy. If you are either a new school, or a school that is still seeking to build some independence through needed growth, Herzog Foundation might just be the resource you need. We hope that this article will provide you with the additional tools to grow your mission to the point of further financial independence. And when it’s time to further sustain that independence, we would love to help you take your school to the next level of ensuring its future impact.
ADVANCING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
By Darrell Jones | Herzog Foundation President
Stan Herzog gave us a simple directive before he passed away in 2019, “Advance Christian education.” December 2023 marked three years since we officially embarked on this mission, and great strides have been made at the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation and across the nation.
Stan’s business legacy centered around making national transit systems more accessible and sustainable. Similarly, Stan’s philanthropic legacy centers around making Christian education systems more access and sustainable. The Herzog Foundation exists to catalyze and accelerate the development of quality, Christ-centered K-12 education so that families and culture flourish.
The Foundation offers a wide variety of programs designed to launch, promote, and strengthen Christian education settings across the nation.
The Lion carries articles covering a wide range of issues facing American families and culture, especially related to the education of children. In covering these topics, articles also touch on aspects of parents, family life, faith, government, and other relevant cultural topics. We aim to produce timely, critical, must-read news articles and resources for families, educators, and leaders.
The Herzog Foundation Institute provides training, events, and conferences to address relevant topics within the Christian education sphere. These events are led by national thought leaders and experts in subjects such as marketing, donor development, and culture building. All training events are specifically designed for Christian educators, leaders and organizations with their unique needs in mind. Offered each month in Kansas City, Missouri and other locations throughout the U.S., Institute events are plentiful and fully funded by the Herzog Foundation for Christian educators and administrators of all denominations. The Institute began in 2021 with two training events and now offers over 20 different types of training events in partnership with organizations such as Chick-Fil-A, Museum of the Bible, Answers in Genesis, and more.
SchoolBox catalyzes the creation of new schools, helping school founders navigate the start-up process every step of the way. Whether it is a traditional K-12 school or a neighborhood cooperative, SchoolBox is relevant to all Christian entrepreneurs and students. In Fall 2023, our SchoolBox program helped launch over 60 new schools.
Herzog Foundation Ambassadors are young leaders seeking to make an impact in K-12 education nationwide. Each ambassador becomes fully immersed in Herzog Foundation programs and operations in Smithville, Missouri with the opportunity to travel around the country. If you are an aspiring leader who’s wanting to make a difference, the Herzog Foundation Ambassadorship program will provide the skills and experiences necessary to advance your goals.
Christian teachers are profoundly changing the world and we want to give them the recognition they deserve. Each year, the Herzog Foundation recognizes 12 individuals that embody excellence in Christian education. These 12 individuals are the Herzog Foundation’s Christian Teachers of the Year, and they are honored at our annual awards gala at Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. If you know an excellent Christian teacher, please fill out the nomination form for consideration.
The Herzog Foundation Podcast Network currently consists of five shows and additional shows will be added in 2024. You can find our shows at https://herzogfoundation.com/podcasts/ or wherever you listen to podcasts:
This is a pivotal time in our nation’s history, and the Herzog Foundation is proud to be a key player in the growing school choice movement. This movement of parents seeking out the best education options for their children has been growing for decades, but it is more pronounced now than ever before. In 2023, a record 20 states said “yes” to expanding school choice. As more states and parents say “yes” to school choice and education options outside of the government-controlled system, imagine the impact that organizations like ours can have.
This unprecedented opportunity is what drives our work at the Herzog Foundation. It is making Stan’s vision a reality quicker than any of us could have imagined. As proud as we are of what our team has accomplished in 2023, but we are even more excited for what is come in future years. Thank you for supporting the work to advance Christian education in 2023 and beyond.
Blessings,
Darrell Jones, Herzog Foundation President
Darrell Jones is the President of the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation. He has served in this role since the Foundation’s inception in early 2021. Prior to joining the Herzog Foundation, Darrell was the Senior Pastor at Grace Evangelical Church in St. Joseph, Missouri for over 20 years.
info@herzogfoundation.com
www.herzogfoundation.com