Since 1994, Partners in Education (PIE) has been dedicated to empowering students with the skills they need to read, succeed, and thrive. Founded by the Toledo Rotary, PIE partners with schools and local organizations to deliver evidence-based programs that support literacy, college and career readiness, and community engagement. Guided by the belief that “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” PIE brings together teachers, volunteers, and community partners to ensure students and schools in Toledo receive the support they need.

Programs That Make a Difference

PIE’s work is focused on three key areas:

• Literacy: PIE supports struggling readers in 13 schools, delivering 1:1 and small group interventions. The program, now expanding to grade 4, equips students with consistent, high-quality curricular materials and provides staffing during the school day to ensure students can reach grade-level proficiency.
  
  
• College and Career Readiness: Serving students in grades 5–8 across seven schools, PIE helps develop workforce skills, personal development, and career exposure through partnerships with local businesses, field trips to universities, and mentorship opportunities.
  
  
• Community Engagement: PIE engages volunteers and community partners to create collaborative programming, demonstrating that sustainable impact is achieved when the community works together to support its youth.

Challenges Before Foundation Support

Prior to receiving funding from the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation, PIE’s literacy program relied heavily on volunteers. While dedicated, volunteers alone could not keep up with the growing needs of students. PIE needed funding to hire staff, purchase curriculum materials, and ensure interventions were consistent, evidence-based, and scalable.

How the Foundation Made an Impact

The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation’s support allowed PIE to implement critical program improvements immediately. With funding, PIE was able to:

• Hire dedicated literacy staff.
• Purchase curricular materials aligned with schools’ instruction.
• Expand literacy support to additional grade levels and schools.
• Strengthen organizational sustainability through strategic planning.
  

This support has translated into measurable results. According to independent evaluations, students are improving literacy skills and making grade-level progress in short periods of time. Teachers report increased confidence in students, while PIE has built a stronger foundation to scale programs for long-term impact. "The students are making great progress and it has been an amazing program for our students,” said a Mentors in Toledo Schools Literacy Program teacher. 

Supporting Systemic Change

Literacy challenges are a systemic issue. In Ohio, only 35% of fourth graders are reading proficiently, and students of color and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are disproportionately affected. PIE’s programs strengthen what schools and teachers are already doing, adding targeted interventions and professional training that help close these gaps.

The Foundation’s investment enables PIE to tackle literacy as a community-wide challenge, creating sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes. “The program is going great! It is helping my students with targeted reading interventions in the areas that they are weak in. I also like that it's four days a week, so it's consistent," said another Mentors in Toledo Schools Literacy Program teacher. 

A True Partnership

Brooke Schlageter, executive director of Partners in Education, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the relationship with the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation. “They listen to the people they are funding,” she said. “It becomes a partnership, not just a funding transaction. Their support allows organizations like ours to thrive and make a real, long-term impact.”

Looking Ahead

Mike Deetsch, executive director of the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to improving literacy, stating, "Increasing literacy rates throughout our community is an important metric of success for the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation." He added that "Partners in Education’s work is so vital to that success, meeting students where they are by providing them the 1:1 attention they need."  With the Foundation’s support, PIE is now positioned to scale its programs thoughtfully, continue building community partnerships, and sustain its mission for years to come. The literacy program’s expansion and the adoption of a strategic plan are just the beginning, ensuring students across Toledo have the tools, support, and opportunities to succeed.