Public Education Needs Community Involvement and Leadership
PENCIL is a non-profit organization that builds strategic partnerships between community groups and the needs of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).
PENCIL and our PENCIL Partners are committed to meeting the needs of MNPS to ensure equitable access to education for all students. Since our founding in 1982, PENCIL has worked with private industry, city officials, and other nonprofits to achieve strategic goals for MNPS students through community partnerships. We address needs through a collective impact model that harnesses the time and talents of the business community and PENCIL Partners to offer invaluable access to mentoring, job shadows, and more. We are committed more than ever to see that all our students have access to these opportunities.
We believe community involvement is key to academic success for students.
Linking community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools to help young people achieve academic success and prepare for life.
PENCIL exists to create a world where MNPS students and teachers have equitable access to resources and opportunities, empowering students to succeed now and in the future. We will do this by creating a community that respects the unique perspectives and experiences of all stakeholders through proactive listening, continuous learning, and tireless advocacy for every student.
Our work is guided by the needs of Metro Nashville Public Schools, is student centric, and is achieved through intentional partnerships and tangible engagements.
As the PENCIL team, we will:
- Be collaborative and inclusive
- Act with transparency and integrity
- Demonstrate kindness and gratitude
Together We Can Change Students’ Lives
2025 – 2026 Impact Numbers
PENCIL has evolved the relationship between community and public schools. We’ve done so by bridging the gap between the community’s philanthropic intentions and the support each school needs to advance educational goals. With the help of donors and partners, PENCIL supports 159 schools and over 81,851 Metro Nashville Public School students spanning over a 500 square-mile boundary.