Summer-long campaign encourages community donations, supply drives and participation in a new Tools4Schools Challenge
RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting educators and students in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), is launching its 2026 Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive on July 7. The seven-week community-wide campaign runs through August 21 and aims to stock the shelves at Tools4Schools, WakeEd’s free classroom supply store for Wake County public school educators.
Since opening in 2022, Tools4Schools has distributed more than $2 million in free classroom supplies and served more than 6,700 Wake County teachers from every school in the Wake County Public School System.
“Every year, thousands of Wake County teachers spend their own money to ensure their students have the supplies they need to succeed,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “Tools4Schools exists because our community believes teachers shouldn’t have to carry that burden alone. The generosity of businesses, civic groups and individual donors has helped us provide more than $2 million in supplies since opening, and we’re asking the community to step up again this summer.”
A recent national study found that North Carolina teachers spend more than $1,600 annually on classroom supplies and materials, second highest in the country trailing only Pennsylvania.
NEW THIS YEAR: The Tools4Schools Challenge
New for 2026, WakeEd Partnership is launching the “Tools4Schools Challenge”, a friendly community competition designed to encourage businesses, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, neighborhoods and other groups to collect classroom supplies for Wake County teachers.
Participating organizations can register their supply drive, track their impact and access a downloadable Supply Drive Toolkit featuring promotional materials, collection ideas, social media graphics and other resources. At the conclusion of the campaign, the individual, business or organization that collects the most supplies will be recognized as the inaugural Valedictorian of the Tools4Schools Challenge.
“Our community has always stepped up to support teachers through Tools4Schools,” said Poston. “The new Tools4Schools Challenge adds a fun and friendly competitive element that we hope will inspire even more organizations, businesses and community groups to get involved and see just how much of a difference they can make for local classrooms.”
Individuals and organizations can learn more, register a supply drive and download the Supply Drive Toolkit at wakeed.org/supply-drive.
2026 Supply Drive Kicks Off July 7 with Staples
The 2026 Tools4Schools Community Supply Drive will officially kick off on July 7 at 10:00 AM with a press event at a Staples store located at 3064 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. Additional details will be announced soon. Staples has been an official partner and supporter of Tools4Schools since 2024.
All Staples stores across Wake County will once again serve as public collection and drop off sites during the campaign, making it easy for residents to donate school supplies while shopping. All drop off locations and their respective drop off dates including the Staples store locations are listed on our web site and updated regularly as new organizations join the supply drive here: wakeed.org/supply-drive
HOW TO SUPPORT Tools4Schools
MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION
Monetary donations allow WakeEd to bulk purchase the supplies most requested by teachers and maximize the impact of every dollar raised. The 4 Others Foundation is matching every dollar donated to Tools4Schools now through September 30 – up to $20,000. Donations can be made by clicking here: DONATE
DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Community members can donate new classroom supplies at Tools4Schools, located at 1816 Capital Blvd. in Raleigh, and designated collection sites throughout Wake County – visit our web site for the current list of all drop box locations including all Wake County YMCA locations and Staples stores. A list of the most-needed supplies and current drop-off locations is available at wakeed.org/supply-drive.
Tools4Schools accepts school supply donations (new and gently used items like staplers, tape dispensers, etc.) year-round at the Capital Blvd. store location. Donation bins are located outside the store and may be used anytime for after-hours donations. Please contact us at tools4schools@wakeed.org to coordinate large drop-offs.
HOST A SUPPLY DRIVE
Businesses, civic groups, faith communities, schools and neighborhood organizations are encouraged to organize a supply drive. Participants can register their drive and download a new Tools4Schools Supply Drive Toolkit at wakeed.org/supply-drive. The Toolkit includes instructions for launching a supply drive, registration information, a list of teachers’ most requested items, printable signage, social media graphics and other promotional resources.
SHOP THE Tools4Schools AMAZON WISH LIST
A simple and easy way to support Tools4Schools is by purchasing teacher’s most requested supplies through the Tools4Schools Amazon Wish List and have items shipped directly to the store. Click here to shop the wish list: Amazon Wish List
SPECIAL EVENTS
Award-winning comedian, writer and Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson is collecting school supplies and donations for Tools4Schools during his North Carolina performances this weekend in Asheville and Greensboro. WakeEd Partnership is grateful for Josh’s support of North Carolina teachers and public education. He is collecting financial donations to support Tools4Schools this weekend in Asheville (Friday June 19 – 2 shows) and both school supplies and financial donations at his two sold-out shows in Greensboro (Saturday June 20 – 2 shows). More info about showtimes/tickets can be found here: https://www.joshjohnsoncomedy.com/
UNC Health will once again host its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive, culminating with a community collection event on August 6 and delivery to Tools4Schools. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
WakeEd is also teaming up with the North Carolina Courage for a special Back-to-School Match on Saturday, August 22 to support Tools4Schools. Fans attending the 7:30pm game at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, where the North Carolina Courage will play Boston Legacy FC, are encouraged to bring new school supply donations. Additional details about the match and media opportunities will be announced soon.
For information about sponsorship opportunities or larger community partnerships, contact WakeEd Partnership at development@wakeed.org
To learn more, register a supply drive, view donation locations or download the new Tools4Schools Supply Drive Toolkit, visit wakeed.org/supply-drive.
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a business-backed nonprofit dedicated to supporting the teachers, students, and families of Wake County Public Schools. Founded in 1983, WakeEd works to mobilize the community, support classrooms, and champion strong public schools for all students. Learn more at www.wakeed.org