Heart of America Foundation Wins 2023 Chapman Prize for Excellence in Educational Empowerment

RESTON, Va., June 7, 2024 (Newswire.com) - The Daniel and Barbara Chapman Trust proudly announced the Heart of America Foundation (HOA) as the recipient of the 2023 Chapman Prize. 

Heart of America Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization, is dedicated to bridging resource disparities and enhancing educational opportunities for students nationwide. Their multifaceted initiatives in space transformations, resource distribution, and strategic consulting have sparked transformative change in schools across the United States. With a 27-year operational legacy, HOA has revitalized over 1,100 spaces, including classrooms, libraries, STEAM labs, athletic facilities and community centers. This has directly impacted the lives of over 2 million students in historically marginalized communities, providing them with improved learning environments and resources. In addition, the organization has delivered 4.4 million books, assembled 70,000 education kits, provided $9.5 million in learning technologies, and coordinated over 185,000 partner volunteer hours to further enhance educational environments across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Navajo Nation.

The Chapman Prize Selection Panel was deeply impressed by HOA's dedication to improving educational opportunities by providing modern resources and revitalizing learning environments. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning and empowerment, HOA exemplifies excellence in educational advocacy and community engagement.

"Winning the 2023 Chapman Prize marks a significant moment for our organization," said Jill Hardy Heath, President and CEO of the Heart of America Foundation. "We are increasing our reach with new projects and initiatives to help students have positive spaces to learn and grow, and this prize helps us do so more effectively."

As the winner, HOA will receive a cash award of approximately $91,000.00 from the Colonel Daniel T. Chapman and Mrs. Barbara Chapman Trust, the namesake of Virginia natives who established the Chapman Prize, which focuses on recognizing the efforts and achievements of individuals and organizations that have contributed most significantly to improving the quality of life in America. The Trust selected "Educational Success" as the theme for 2023 to recognize organizations that celebrated students' long-term educational advancement and career preparation through effective programming.

"The selection of the Heart of America Foundation as this year's recipient of the Chapman Prize is in keeping with fulfilling the legacy of Colonel and Mrs. Chapman," said Christopher Morgan, Vice President and Chief Fiduciary Officer at Burke & Herbert Bank. "We are pleased to serve as the trustee for the Chapman Trust and delighted about this year's selection of an organization that is doing such important work to improve each educational environment nationwide," he added. Burke & Herbert Bank is a community bank headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, offering a full array of financial products and services, including Trust and estate planning.

To learn more about Heart of America, please visit www.heartofamerica.org.

The 2024 Chapman Prize theme will be "Health and Wellness," and applications will open in June of this year and close in September. Please visit https://www.chapmanprize.org/

Source: The Chapman Prize