OUR STRATEGY

Mission – Preparing children for life through literacy.

Vision – A catalyst for literacy innovation in North Carolina and beyond.

Values – Passion. Agility. Impact.

 

Learn More About the Foundation

MEBANE NEWS

15 Years of Inspiring Readers: Book Harvest’s 2026 Dream Big Celebration

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The Mebane Foundation is proud to share exciting news from Book Harvest, one of our most valued partners. For 15 years,  Book Harvest has been building a culture of reading for children and families by ensuring access to high-quality, age-appropriate books in the home—where a lifelong love of…
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Mebane Message – Fall 2025

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In May 2023, the Mebane Foundation proudly selected the UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education as the institution to carry forward our long-standing commitment to innovative literacy education in North Carolina and beyond. After a competitive statewide search, we chose Cato College as the partner best…
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Book Harvest’s 5th Annual Summer Block Party Set for July 19 in Durham

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The Mebane Foundation is pleased to share this exciting news from Book Harvest, one of our most valued partners. I met Founder Ginger Young in 2017 and was impressed by her vision for early childhood literacy and her commitment to ensuring that all children have access to engaging, age-appropriate…
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Behind the Scenes in Early Education: How Davie County’s Preschool Coach is Transforming Classrooms and Shaping Futures

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Smart Start of Davie County staff at an Early Educator Conference (L to R): Julie Marklin, Tara Dodson, Gena Taylor, Allison Gupton, Stephanie Nelson, Tracy Kuhnemann, and Harriet Wood.  A Unique Position with Big Impact Davie County is home to a rare and powerful educational role—a preschool…
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EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN

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What people say about us

Building a strong foundation in literacy is transformational, truly life-changing for children and for generations to come.  We are so grateful for Mr. Mebane’s visionary leadership and the true partnership we have with The Mebane Charitable Foundation today.  The DavieLEADS initiative grew out of an honest discussion and problem-solving with Larry Colbourne sitting at the table beside educators.  Investing in teachers—providing targeted professional development, high-quality resources, and tailored coaching support—is really the way to turn passion into positive impact.  We are better because of this partnership, and students will be empowered because of this work.

It’s impossible to overstate the impact Mebane Foundation’s support has had on Hill Learning Center, and thus on hundreds of teachers and thousands of struggling readers across North Carolina. Not only has the Foundation’s financial investment enabled us to innovate and expand our programs, but Larry Colbourne’s strategic thought partnership and support have been invaluable. Larry and the board listen, ask hard questions, help make connections, and then trust their grantees and partners to do the work the way they see fit. Enlightened grantmaking at its best!

We greatly value our partnership with the Mebane Foundation.  This fantastic partnership has enabled us to provide the resources we need to grow our Yadkin County Schools family, from our earliest readers all the way to our veteran teachers.  Through funding for HillRap, our students who may otherwise struggle are receiving strategic support to master basic reading skills.  On the other end of the learning spectrum, twenty of our teachers will move through the North Carolina State New Literacies Graduate Program and will emerge as a cohort literacy leaders.  This level of funding- and trust in our school district – provide the wrap-around support and knowledge we need to move forward as responsive reading instructors.

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