Adopt A Class Endowment Fund

Become a donor, leave a legacy!

“How do you dream about something you don’t know?”

A question our founder, Bill Burwinkel frequently asks.

  • The Beth and Bill Burwinkel Legacy Society honors those who partner in our work to provide students from underserved communities a breadth of experiences and training to be job and career ready. 

  • Inspired by Founder Bill Burwinkel’s vision that time is the most valuable gift, Adopt A Class has dedicated over 20 years to fostering meaningful connections between students and caring adults. From its origin at Oyler School, our organization has demonstrated remarkable growth and is now a cornerstone of student development in Greater Cincinnati. The data is clear: consistent mentorship is a critical driver of student success. Today, Adopt A Class is a leader in creating these connections, annually pairing 4,800 mentors from over 240 organizations with 12,000 students across the region.

    After two decades of proven success, our focus now turns to ensuring this mission is permanent. A leadership gift to the Adopt A Class Endowment is a commitment to the future. It provides the stability required to not only continue our work but to expand our vision, guaranteeing that students for generations to come will be exposed to the life and career experiences they need to unleash their full potential.

Adopt a class EMPOWERS students to envision themselves in careers they never knew existed. Through the power of group mentorship, students unlock possibilities they never imagined. 

our vision

Adopt A Class envisions a region where every child gains a breadth of career exposure and life experiences through meaningful connections with caring adults from businesses and organizations to ensure they reach their full potential.  

who we are

The Adopt A Class Endowment Fund (AACEF) is a 501(c)(3) sister organization established to create a stable, secure, and self-sustaining source of funding for Adopt A Class to ensure today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.

AACEF is governed by the AACEF Board of Directors who are dedicated to carrying out the mission of supporting a sustainable funding source for Adopt A Class. 

The demographics and grade levels of the students our mentors serve. This data reflects the 2024-2025 school year.

Grade Levels

who we serve

Demographics

We will continue to expand our reach by partnering with additional schools in the communities we serve, enhancing our curriculum offerings, and engaging with more businesses and organizations across a wide variety of industries over the next year.

our commitment

OUR GOAL REACH

0

Students Across

0

Classrooms

0

Mentors Across

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Partner Organizations

Your Donation Today, Grows in Perpetuity. 

All gifts to AACEF are invested, and each year as the fund grows, a distribution is made to support the mission of Adopt A Class. A gift to the fund then provides ongoing, growing support in perpetuity. 

AACEF Performance through 06/30/25

3-year average rate of return 17.72%
5-year average rate of return 15.53%
10-year average rate of return 14.11%

Returns show net of fees

our funding goal

$0

Help us reach our goal by 2028

your legacy

A Legacy That Lasts

Your gift will impact hundreds of children and create a lasting legacy that continues to grow, ensuring future generations of students benefit from Adopt A Class. 

Your Original Gift Value
Capital to Adopt A Class After 10 Year Distribution *
Students Impacted Over 10 Years
Future Value of Remaining Gift After 10 Year Distribution *
$1,000,000
$595,000
670
$1,382,000
$500,000
$297,000
310
$691,000
$250,000
$149,000
165
$345,000
$100,000
$59,000
65
$138,000
$50,000
$30,000
35
$69,000
$25,000
$15,000
20
$35,000
$10,000
$6,000
10
$14,000

* Assumes 8% annualized return on Endowment and 5% distribution rate back to Adopt A Class, Inc. Operating.

“My wife and I have 2 qualifications for charitable giving, which we believe to be an obligation… 1. Will it help others find or experience true joy? 2. Will we find or experience true joy via the investment, participation and support of the respective mission. With AACEF, we have found both and are committed to its perpetuation and scalability.”

—Greg & Nancy Geiser

your impact

Help Transform Lives Through Adopt A Class

Your gift to the Adopt A Class Endowment Fund creates a legacy of impact:

Our Goal Your Impact
Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders Over the next 10 years, your gift will generate operating funds allowing us to expand our reach to more students.
Cultivate Career Awareness Students gain valuable insights into potential career pathways by exploring nine diverse industries.
Build Stronger Foundations Students develop a stronger sense of self-worth, confidence and capability through group mentorship.
Foster Cultural Enrichment Students develop a lifelong appreciation for culture and a sense of belonging by experiencing our city’s arts, museums, and parks.
Expand Horizons Students’ perspectives are broadened on field trips to businesses, training centers, colleges and universities.
Equip for Success Students gain the skills and knowledge to confidently apply for their first jobs.
Invest in Potential With a cumulative 110 hours of mentorship - equivalent to almost 14 full workdays - students receive invaluable guidance and support.

How to become a Legacy Society member:

    • Designate AACEF as a beneficiary of a retirement account

    • Make a bequest to AACEF in your Will or Trust

    • Donate gifts of stock 

  • Adopt A Class Endowment Fund
    2153 W 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45204
    Tax ID# 81-3060171

  • Contact Evan Clinkenbeard: evan_clinkenbeard@ml.com
    (513) 985-5871

  • Contact Sonya Fultz, CEO at sonya@aacmentors.org or Click Here

    (513) 673-9360

A Legacy of Community Impact

Watch the story of our founder, Bill Burwinkel, honored by AFP Cincinnati as the 2022 Philanthropist of the Year. This video highlights Bill's unwavering dedication to introducing students to the vast career opportunities in our community and the remarkable program he created from the ground up.