Ways to Give

At Mainspring Academy, every generous donation, large or small, drives our mission and makes an impact in the learning experiences of our students. Donate online now or learn about our giving programs and opportunities below.

Giving Hope to Families of Children who are Often Overlooked

Since 2015, with the support of our donors, we have given up to 50 families each year the peace of mind in knowing their child is in a quality, individualized, and safe learning environment with compassionate staff who work hard for their progress. As our population of students increases, we need your help more than ever.

Enhanced adaptive learning model

Expanded spectrum of services

Engaged community for an inclusive future

Right Where They Belong

The state of Florida ranks 34th lowest in the nation in its availability of services for people with intellectual and developmental differences (Case for Inclusion, 2019, p.16)

Parents won’t always be around for their children. That’s why when children struggle in school, parents can’t help but wonder if they’ll be okay in the future. Many children with intellectual and developmental differences are currently enrolled in a program that can’t provide them with the care they need while preparing them for what’s next. This often leaves their families feeling lost and fearful. At Mainspring Academy, we believe in providing tailored learning for the best success of students with unique needs. We believe in acceptance, dignity, and transparency. We not only partner with families in their child’s education but we ensure them the joy and peace of mind of knowing their child is right where they’re supposed to be.

How Your Support Helps

By giving to Mainspring Academy, you’re making connections to real, passionate staff, families, and volunteers; contributing to measurable organizational progress and growth; and supporting a small community nonprofit with big dreams for the future.

Financial Hardship Scholarships

The cost of raising and educating a special needs child is a tremendous strain on many families. While we accept various state-funded scholarships, they often do not cover the entire cost of tuition at our school. We believe in the value of a diverse student body and the opportunity for all students to have access to the best possible educational experience. Data findings from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the United States Census Bureau, and Education Data Initiative (EDI) regarding private school enrollment, household income, and Florida tuition costs indicate disproportionality in national overall minority private school enrollment. With 42% enrollment in the 2021-2022 school year, Mainspring has one of the highest numbers of minority students compared to other related private special education schools.

Our financial hardship committee looks at the child’s financial and educational needs. We provide full and partial scholarships, depending on the family’s income and circumstances. This program is entirely funded by corporate and private donors.

In the 2021-2022 school year, Mainspring Academy provided internal hardship scholarship funding to 44% of its families. a 6% increase from 2021. 

Your donation to this fund will provide relief which will enable qualifying families in need to enroll their special needs child at Mainspring Academy.

Classroom and Program Support

Every day, our staff works diligently to drive our mission to provide quality, individualized education in a safe learning environment where our students can thrive. We are committed to providing a rich educational experience for our students that includes academics, life skills, and various enrichment opportunities. Your contributions to this fund help to provide resources such as teaching materials, equipment, curricula, and support for related program costs. From our classrooms to our vocational, art, music, yoga, PE, and Special Olympics, there are numerous opportunities to make an impact on our students’ overall learning experiences. 

Mainspring Academy seeks to enhance our current natural workplace training and social opportunities for our unique population of students, supporting the ultimate goal of community integration. A vending program would include training in soft skills, inventory management, goods production, sorting, organization, and clerical services. Research-based social skills curricula would help students develop social-emotional skills like relationship-building, recognizing environmental cues, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and goal-setting. We also have a long-term vision to provide vocational rehabilitation services that will lead to the ultimate goal of employment. These services may include training opportunities and/or specialized equipment. Becoming a vocational rehabilitation vendor will require licensure and startup materials. Your contributions to this fund may also support the related costs of implementing these programs.

Teacher Advancement and Education

We work hard to promote excellence within our teaching staff. The majority of our teachers are currently pursuing their graduate degrees in special education. In support of our teachers, our goal is to offer them education and advancement opportunities that include tuition reimbursement and continuing education through conference attendance and workshops. We understand that our teachers are the key to our quality education. By giving to this fund, you’re enabling us to maintain a highly trained and enthusiastic faculty.

School Improvements and Expansion

From 2019-2024, our student population has increased by 57% and continues to grow. As our school grows, our needs for campus expansions grow, too. We’re on a trajectory to become an even more vital and significant provider of quality education for those with special needs or learning challenges. 

Beautification, building repairs, vocational van maintenance classroom technology, sensory and social skills equipment, playground equipment, and school furniture are consistent operational needs. Our increasing student population provides opportunities to add office spaces and two to four additional classrooms and related equipment to our current space. 

Our vision for the future includes ownership of a freestanding academic facility with additional classrooms, office spaces, vending program, and gymnasium. By contributing to this fund, you can help us turn our vision into a reality.

Giving Programs & Opportunities

If you’re ready to make a pledge to any of our giving programs listed below, please click the button and review the indicated submission instructions. If you are interested in making a pledge but would like more information, please call us at (904)503-0344 or fill out our contact form to communicate with a Director. If you’d like to make a general donation, please scroll to the top of this page and complete our online donation form

Giving Tuesday and Social Media Crowdfunding

Donations from Giving Tuesday and other social media campaigns are an essential part of our annual operating budget and an easy way to support Mainspring Academy. All social media campaign donations, large and small, enable us to both maintain and enhance the programs which drive our mission to provide each student a quality, individualized education. All funds raised through your social media campaigns will provide opportunities for every aspect of our students’ overall learning experiences. 

Giving Tuesday takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year and Facebook also provides the opportunity for you to create a fundraiser for a chosen nonprofit on your birthday. However,  you can start your own personal fundraiser for Mainspring Academy for any reason and at any time. Facebook provides 100% of all donations to nonprofit organizations like ours and all donations are 100% tax-deductible.

 

Become a Program partner

Program Partners are annual donors who directly impact the mission to provide quality, individualized education to our students with intellectual and developmental differences in a variety of ways through their commitments to supporting:

  • Financial hardship scholarships
  • Classroom stipends, materials, and equipment
  • Researched-based curricula
  • Staff professional development
  • Adaptive art, physical education, music, and other enrichment support costs, materials, and equipment
  • Vocational program resources
Make a pledge today! If have more questions about becoming an annual Classroom, Education, or Enrichment Partner, please contact Director of Student and Community Affairs, Sabrena Snow, at (904)503-0344, or [email protected].
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Corporate PARTNERSHIP Opportunities

We align ourselves with companies that support and value our mission at Mainspring Academy.

Opportunities to engage your company in enhancing the educational experiences of our special education students include:

  • Matching gifts to enhance employee donations
  • Sponsorship level opportunities for annual events and fundraisers such as the August National Nonprofit Day, February Miles for Mainspring Virtual Step Challenge, and the April Board Banquet
  • Creating awareness of our organization through in-store promotions/ donation programs
  • Becoming an annual Program Partner
  • Funding larger Capital Campaign projects and future goals
  • In-Kind/Wishlist donations
    • Contributing general school supply needs
    • Contributing or sponsoring updated classroom, office, or resource equipment
    • Other school event needs including:
      • Contributing raffle/door prizes of $100-$200 value for our annual February Miles for Mainspring and April Board Banquet fundraising events
      • Contributing goods or sponsoring our annual Thanksgiving Feast in November
      • Contributing goods or sponsoring student holiday gifts for our annual Polar Express Holiday Event in December
      • Contributing goods or sponsoring May Teacher Appreciation Week activities
  • Applying or advocating for internal corporate grant funding for any of our programs, Capital Campaign projects, or other vital areas of school need.
  • Engaging employees in:
    • Corporate social responsibility
    • Contributing services, if applicable
    • Volunteering for school events
    • Office fundraisers, making Mainspring Academy your nonprofit of choice for Giving Tuesday
  • Creating mentorship, training, internship, volunteer, or employment opportunities for our special education students who have future goals to participate in an inclusive workforce
  • Welcoming and providing opportunities for internal employee development and education in areas of inclusivity, accommodations, advocacy, and diagnoses including Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, learning differences, and other developmental and behavioral differences.

Make a pledge today! If have more questions about becoming Corporate Partner, please contact Director of Student and Community Affairs, Sabrena Snow, at (904)503-0344, or [email protected].

Capital campaign

Our donors play a crucial role in helping us to provide quality, individualized education to our special education students. The majority of our revenue comes from student tuition and state-funded scholarships, which do not fully cover our ongoing expenses. We rely on the commitment of mission-driven donors to make up the difference. As our population of students increases each year, we need your help more than ever. In order to make an even bigger impact for children with intellectual and developmental delays in the Jacksonville community, we’re looking ahead. You can help us create new, even better ways for more students to engage in quality, tailored learning experiences here at Mainspring Academy, through additional adaptive programming and, one day, a future freestanding facility of our very own. With your help, we can maintain our momentum, grow our services, and expand our reach for children in need of quality, individualized special education. You can make a fundamental impact by helping us give families hope for a better future. Your donations to this giving opportunity can partially or fully support projects in multiple areas. Current capital funding needs include:

  • Classroom and enrichment programs
    • Updated academic curricula
    • Resources and support for current music, art, adaptive yoga, Special Olympics, and vocational programs
    • Curriculum development for a new adaptive art program
    • A new adaptive physical education program
    • Becoming a new vocational rehabilitation vendor
  • Endowed or deferred funds for:
    • Tuition hardship programming
    • New or upgraded building, classroom, sensory room, cafeteria, playground, office, and other related furniture/equipment
    • New or upgraded classroom technology, curricula, professional development, or school security
    • Vocational passenger van maintenance
    • Camp program expenses
    • General operating expenses
  • Reserve funds for a future freestanding facility which would include:
    • A gymnasium 
    • Additional classrooms, office spaces, bathrooms, storage, and common areas

View our Case for Support.

Make a pledge today! If you have more questions about making a difference in any of these program areas or would like to determine areas of greatest need, please contact Director of Student and Community Affairs, Sabrena Snow, at (904)503-0344, or [email protected] to discuss detailed project costs and any additional information.

Mainspring Legacy society

Your support paves the way for our students to reach their fullest potential. By becoming a founding member of our Legacy Society and including Mainspring Academy in your giving plans, you not only invest in the future of our students with intellectual and developmental differences, but you also ensure your legacy lives on in our mission to provide quality, individualized education in a safe learning environment for generations to come.

 

Ways to Gift a Legacy:

Speak with your financial advisor about making a legacy gift. Then, when you’re ready, make a pledge and be sure to submit any necessary supplemental documents. If have more questions about making a legacy gift, please contact Head of School, Dina Parisi, at (904)503-0344, or [email protected].

Board of Directors

Opportunities for growing our school, expanding our programs, serving our students and families, and offering real leadership within the special needs community have never been greater. Board service is a vital key to our aspirations and for our success. You may be a good candidate to serve on Mainspring Academy’s Board of Directors if you are willing and able to:

  • Serve on at least one committee.
  • Attend meetings
  • Support events
  • Make Mainspring your primary philanthropic cause by making meaningful, financial contributions

Please call us at (904)503-0344 to speak to Head of School Dina Parisi for more information, fill out our contact form, or email her directly at [email protected].

MAKE A GIFT PLEDGE

If you’d like to make a gift pledge for any of our giving programs listed above, please complete the form fields below*. A Director will contact you promptly. If you’d like to make the pledge online, but send your gift by mail or in-person instead, please indicate this below. Address details are located at the bottom of this page.

*This form is accessible via mobile devices. However, desktop devices are best for optimal functionality. An inoperative “submit” button indicates that some form fields are missing or typed incorrectly. Desktop devices will describe any necessary corrections that hinder submissions, but mobile forms do not have this function.

Thank you for making a difference in our mission to provide quality, individualized education in a safe learning environment where children with intellectual and developmental differences can thrive. We are grateful for your support!

Donations to Mainspring Academy can be made via check, cash, or our online donation form. Please make checks payable to “Mainspring Academy”.

After completing your online pledge form, or printable .PDF pledge form (fillable via web by laptops/Desktops only), you may donate directly to the school in-person or by mail at:

ATTN: Community Affairs
Mainspring Academy
6700 Southpoint Pkwy, Suite 400
Jacksonville, FL, 32216

If you have questions or would like to speak directly to an administrator, please call (904)503-0344 or email Director of Student and Community Affairs, Sabrena Snow, at [email protected]. If not mailing or handing in, you may also email .PDF Pledge Forms to Sabrena.

Connor was struggling in the public school system and was not getting the individual attention, education, or structure he needed. Enrolling him in Mainspring was one of the best decisions we ever made. Within a year, Connor was a lot less irritable, more patient, more verbal, more willing to take directions, and his rating improved tremendously. With the staff’s relentless help and guidance, Connor was also finally potty trained. Mainspring has been a key component in Connor’s continued progress. It’s because of donors and the amazing staff’s support and willingness to think outside the box that allowed Connor to accomplish so many milestones. Connor has attended Mainspring for almost 8 years, and he is still excited to go to school each morning.
Wendie H.
Mainspring Parent
Michelangelo started school at Mainspring in 2015. Over the past few years, especially, he has flourished. He has matured and gained confidence and independence. He has learned how to wait his turn, how to heat up his lunch, how to interact with his peers, and how to navigate his classroom and school. He has learned there is a purpose to going to school (aside from seeing his friends and doing fun things). He absolutely adores going to school! He even wakes up every morning and says 'Time for school!'. His excitement is priceless. Donors, thank you for all that you do to keep this school open, thriving, and a safe haven for my son. Your donation is what keeps this school going. Please know that every cent you contribute has a direct impact to each child at Mainspring.
Luz R.
Mainspring Parent
In the years Jordan went to Mainspring, he really blossomed into an independent young man. Everyday it seem he iss applying the skills he learned at school at home. The other day after dinner, I went to clean the kitchen, only to find that Jordan had already loaded the dishwasher and put the food away. When I asked him about it I found out that they’d done it at school that day. Mainspring had also shown me how I can apply their techniques to help Jordan at home. At school, Jordan had a daily schedule. I use that same concept at home. I put steps he needs to accomplish a goal on dry erase boards throughout the house, then gradually phase them out after a few weeks. It helps him learn the behavior necessary to independently accomplish a goal. Thanks to the things he learned at Mainspring, he is also more willing to attempt new things independently, like making lasagna from scratch or mowing the lawn. Participating in sports at Mainspring gave him the confidence to join a group of typically developing kids this summer and learn to swim. Donors are important for all schools like Mainspring because it helps defray the cost of the school for some families, implement much needed programs, purchase special equipment, etc. However, the most important thing about donors is that their donations help our kids build a foundation of skills that they can use throughout their lives.
Kim W.
Mainspring Parent

Making an impact for the children...and their families, too.

There’s a lot of heart and soul that goes into what we do. Our school employs passionate people who do what they love and our students benefit from the quality care and learning that is a reflection of that passion. Instead of focusing on numbers, we focus on our mission to help students with intellectual and developmental differences thrive. Whether a student at Mainspring is learning how to put on their socks for the first time or learning how to write their first resume, you share in the pride of watching these small steps become catalysts for the future. You share in the fulfillment in seeing their parents finally breathe a sigh of relief. You can feel good knowing you play an important role in making great things happen for the children as well as their families.

Become a Program Partner

Annual Gift Levels

CLASSROOM PARTNER  (Annual Gift: $1,000)

An annual gift of $1,000 will assist in funding the material and supply needs that help each classroom at Mainspring Academy run on a daily basis. Classroom Partners receive special recognition via:

  • Name/Company Logo listed with associated partnership level on the Mainspring Website
  • Name/Company Logo recognition on Mainspring social media
  • Name/Company Logo included in the Mainspring Monthly Newsletter for the corresponding month of your contribution

EDUCATION PARTNER  (Annual Gift: $5,000)

An annual gift of $5,000 will assist in funding needs such as our:

  • Financial Hardship Scholarships
  • Research-based curricula
  • Staff professional development
  • Classroom technology

Education Partners receive special recognition via:

  • Name/Company Logo listed with associated partnership level on the Mainspring Website
  • Name/Company Logo recognition on Mainspring social media
  • Name/Company Logo included in the Mainspring Monthly
  • Newsletter for the corresponding quarter of your contribution
  • Invitation to Mainspring Academy special events

ENRICHMENT PARTNER  (Annual Gift: $10,000)

An annual gift of $10,000 will support programmatic funding needs such as:

  • Financial Hardship Scholarships
  • Art program
  • Adaptive music program
  • Adaptive physical education
  • Vocational program

Enrichment Partners receive special recognition via:

  • Name/Company Logo listed with associated partnership level on the Mainspring Website
  • Name/Company Logo recognition on Mainspring social media
  • Name/Company Logo included in the Mainspring Monthly
  • Newsletter for the remainder of every month for the corresponding fiscal year of your donation
  • Invitation to Mainspring Academy special events
  • Program naming benefits (if available)

Bequests

Mainspring Academy Legacy Society

Bequests are suitable for donors of any age or income level and through wills or revocable trusts.

Bequests can offer several benefits including:

  • Reduced estate taxes (depending on the value of your estate)
  • Flexibility for you to control your assets in the event of life circumstances
  • The ability to direct your gift to a specified purpose such as Mainspring’s area of greatest need, to an endowed fund for consistent annual giving, or to provide general support for the school.

In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation to Mainspring Academy in your will or living trust makes a meaningful impact in ensuring that we continue our mission for years to come.

Retirement Assets

Mainspring Academy Legacy Society

Retirement plan assets are a great way to support the work at Mainspring Academy because they not only help support the mission, but they also can provide tax relief for your loved ones.

Money in an employee retirement plan, IRA or tax-sheltered annuity has yet to be taxed. When a distribution is made from your retirement plan account to a beneficiary, that person will owe federal income tax.

Consider leaving your loved ones less heavily taxed assets and leaving your retirement plan assets to Mainspring Academy to support our work. As a nonprofit organization, we are tax-exempt and will receive the full amount of what you designate to us from your plan. You can take advantage of this gift opportunity in the following ways:

  1. Name us a beneficiary of your plan. This requires you to update your beneficiary designation form through your plan administrator. Here you can designate Mainspring Academy as the primary beneficiary for a percentage or specific amount. You can also make us the contingent beneficiary so that we will receive the balance of your plan only if your primary beneficiary doesn’t survive you.
  2. With the IRA Charitable Rollover, if you are 70½ years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple way to help those we serve and receive tax benefits in return. You can give up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Mainspring Academy without having to pay income taxes on the funds. Although they do not qualify for a charitable deduction, retirement accounts can count towards the minimum required distribution

Life Insurance Gifts

Mainspring Academy Legacy Society

When the original purpose for a life insurance policy no longer applies — such as educating children now grown or providing financial security for a spouse — your policy can become a powerful and simple way to support our work. There are three ways to give with life insurance to Mainspring Academy:

  1. Name us a beneficiary of the policy. This gift is as simple as updating your beneficiary designation form with the policyholder. You can designate us as the primary beneficiary for a percentage or specific amount. You can also make us the contingent beneficiary so that we will receive the balance of your policy only if your primary beneficiary doesn’t survive you.
  2. Make an outright gift of an existing policy. You can name us as owner and beneficiary of an existing policy. You qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize on your taxes. If you continue to pay premiums on the policy, each payment is tax deductible as a charitable gift when you itemize.
  3. Make an outright gift of a new policy. You can take out a new policy and irrevocably name Mainspring Academy as the owner and the beneficiary of the insurance contract. This method may be particularly attractive for the younger donor. Whether you make one single premium payment for the policy or pay annual premiums, each payment is tax-deductible as a charitable gift when you itemize on your taxes.
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Next Steps

Mainspring Academy Legacy Society

  1. Contact Dina Parisi, Head of School, at (904)503-0344 or [email protected] for additional information on gift planning or to chat more about the different options for including Mainspring Academy in your will or estate plan.

  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.

  3. If you include Mainspring Academy in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID. 
  • Legal Name: Mainspring Academy, Inc.
  • Address: 6700 Southpoint Pkwy, Suite 400, Jacksonville, FL, 32216
  • Federal Tax ID Number: 47-304-6264