Mission

Namahana Education Foundation (NEF) is an independent nonprofit organization established to advance Namahana School’s mission: to advance and grow the capacity of Namahana School by building the resources, facilities, and community support needed to sustain a thriving, place-based education. Namahana School embraces an ʻāina-based learning model with values that support the foundational principles of our Big Picture Learning partnership: relevance, relationships, and rigor. Learning is based on the interests and goals of each student in relation to their community. The Namahana Foundation supports this mission by raising funds for the construction and maintenance of school facilities, as well as covering essential operating costs not met by state per-pupil funding. NEF’s leadership includes established community leaders, as well as award-winning professionals in educational fundraising and philanthropic management.