Communities In Schools of Nevada receives a grant from NV Energy Foundation, supporting the organization’s wraparound services for students statewide

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (February 3, 2025) --- Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS), part of the nation’s leading evidence-based stay-in-school nonprofit organization serving schools in Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe County school districts, announces it has received a $70,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation, which provides charitable grants and sponsorships to the nonprofit organizations and causes most important to NV Energy customers.

“We are energized and grateful to the NV Energy Foundation for its ongoing philanthropic investment in CIS and the nearly 100,000 students we serve throughout Nevada,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and state director, Communities In Schools of Nevada. “Our organization’s partnership with NV Energy Foundation has expanded in meaningful ways that directly impact our most vulnerable students. From leadership on our CIS Board to volunteering at events across Las Vegas and Reno, and selecting CIS as a recipient of this grant, NV Energy Foundation’s support has been consistent and impactful. Thanks to corporate partners like NV Energy who understand the transformational power of community investments, we are creating pathways to success for students, providing caring adult support and life-changing community resources to help them thrive in school and beyond.”

“Helping students achieve academic success has long been a priority at NV Energy and the NV Energy Foundation and we appreciate organizations such as CIS that serve students throughout Nevada and help them find pathways that allow them to thrive inside the classroom,” said Tony Sanchez, Executive Vice President, Business Development and External Relations, NV Energy. “We are honored to continue our partnership with CIS and look forward to positively impacting some of the state’s most vulnerable students.”

NV Energy Foundation has been an invaluable partner of CIS and its annual Fill The Bus back-to-school supply drive, acting as our drop-off site in Las Vegas. This important event eases the financial burden of buying school supplies for students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship. Since 2021, NV Energy Foundation has generously contributed to Fill The Bus in Washoe County and Clark County.

NV Energy Foundation’s gift will also support CIS’ annual Power Within, a breakfast ceremony that recognizes CIS students, site coordinators, volunteers, and community partners in Las Vegas. As one of the presenting sponsors of this event, NV Energy will help us recognize the outstanding personal growth of honorees this school year.

Since 2004, CIS of Nevada has demonstrated measurable success in student outcomes. Of note is the high school graduation rate of 97 percent for CIS case-managed graduation-eligible students in Nevada for the 2023-2024 school year, a record for CIS. Over the past three years, CIS achieved a remarkable 5 percent graduation rate increase. These outcomes couldn’t happen without the support of partners like the NV Energy Foundation.

About Communities In Schools of Nevada

CIS places full-time and professionally trained site coordinators in 118 Title I and high-needs schools across Nevada to support more than 100,000 students in grades K-12 who face barriers to their success—increasing the likelihood of students staying in school and graduating on time. The organization taps into a statewide network of more than 120 community nonprofits, partners, and agencies, bringing the community into the school to get students whatever they need to overcome the barriers they face that prevent them from achieving academically. From eyeglasses, dental care, health care, and professional counseling to food, school supplies, clothing, transportation, and housing, CIS identifies student needs and finds a way to address them, closing the gaps they experience in their everyday lives. CIS's long-term vision is for every child enrolled in a Title I or high-needs school to access a CIS site coordinator and their evidence-based model of integrated student support, otherwise known as wraparound services. The graduation rate for CIS case-managed high school seniors in Nevada for the 2023-2024 school year was 97 percent. For more information, visit http://www.cisnevada.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.