Our Work

PENCIL believes that community investment in schools can bridge the resource gaps so many schools face and that directly impact day-to-day learning. We leverage community resources through the following programs:

PENCIL Partners

PENCIL harnesses the time, treasure, and talent of our rapidly expanding business community in support of individual schools through a collective impact model, known as PENCIL Partners. These partnerships aid in the development of positive school cultures, show teacher appreciation, recruit caring adult role models for students, provide exposure to workforce opportunities, and nurture an overall deeper sense of community between public schools and local businesses.

DG PENCIL Box

Metro Nashville Public School teachers visit the DG PENCIL Box multiple times throughout the year to “shop” for tools necessary to run an effective classroom - completely FREE OF CHARGE. By donating supplies, hosting a supply drive, or volunteering to staff the store, national brands, PENCIL Partners, and the Nashville community bolster teachers with the materials they need.

Connected Literacy Tutors

Alongside MNPS, PENCIL recruits and places community volunteers to provide high impact literacy tutoring to 1st – 3rd grade students who need a little extra help and personalized support in reading.