HOME / ABOUT US
Who we are and
why we do this.
Education Unbound is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on a single belief: access to creative, rigorous education should never depend on zip code or income. Meet the people and principles behind the work.
OUR STORY
"We prepare students for careers that don't exist yet."
Education Unbound was founded to close a gap that has persisted for decades: underserved students in North Texas — and around the world — are being educated for a world that no longer exists. Only 30% of Texas underserved 4th graders meet grade-level reading standards. Only 32% of underserved high school graduates earn a postsecondary credential.
We exist to change those numbers — through STEAM-integrated programs built around the 6 Cs of 21st-century education, delivered by educators who believe every child has potential worth investing in.
Today, Education Unbound has reached 5,250 underserved students through programs in North Texas and internationally through Revive Baladna in Lebanon — with the research to back it up. Our sustainability is built into the model: our sister company NuMinds Enrichment, which Education Unbound holds a major ownership stake in, commits 10% of all profits directly to EdU's programs.
OUR MISSION
Prepare underserved students to flourish through integrated learning, social-emotional support, and 21st-century skills.
OUR STRUCTURE
501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit · Richardson, Texas · Founded to serve underserved populations in North Texas and beyond.
OUR APPROCH
Project-based, interdisciplinary, SEL-integrated programs — measured for impact and connected to NeuroArts research.
OUR REACH
5,250 students served · 2 countries · 2 active programs · 1 international pilot with 180 children in Lebanon.
OUR JOURNEY
Built one program
at a time.
OUR SUSTAINABLE MODEL
NuMinds Enrichment —
the engine behind everything.
Education Unbound doesn't rely solely on donations. Our sustainability is structural: we hold a major ownership stake in NuMinds Enrichment, our for-profit sister company — and NuMinds commits 10% of every dollar it earns directly to EdU's programs. The more NuMinds grows, the more EdU can do.
NUMINDS ENRICHMENT · EST. 2013
Built by teachers.
Owned (in part) by us.
Founded in 2013 by Ben Koch and Justin Vawter — two "rogue" public school teachers who refused to let standardized curriculum flatten their students' potential. NuMinds now serves K–8 schools across the United States with its proprietary Bamboo Curriculum™, professional development programs, and teacher training.
Education Unbound holds a major ownership stake in NuMinds. Every curriculum sale, every camp contract, every teacher workshop that NuMinds delivers feeds directly back into EdU's ability to serve underserved communities.
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NuMinds' proprietary curriculum model — narrative-driven, project-based, inductive — powers Camp Katy's academic programming. Over 200+ enrichment units developed for K–8, tested and refined with real students.
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800+ hours of free original educational programming in English, Spanish, and Arabic — extending EdU's reach to learners who can't access in-person programs. All free. All accessible.
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NuMinds runs STEAM camps and enrichment programs across the country through CampPursuit.com. The curriculum, instructor training, and program design developed through these camps is what powers Camp Katy for underserved students.
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A global community of educators, administrators, and education advocates. The network feeds talent, ideas, and partnerships directly into Education Unbound's programs and mission.
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The NuMinds Teacher Purpose Lab and professional development workshops train educators in SEL, mindfulness, project-based learning, and purpose-driven pedagogy — the same practices embedded in every EdU program.
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NuMinds isn't a charity that happens to do business. It's a business that was designed from day one to fund a mission. 10% of profits, scholarships, refugee programs, rural STEAM access — all baked in from the start.
"We are a for-profit business that is in business to change the world. The more we make, the more we gladly give away."
— NuMinds Enrichment
OUR INTERNATIONAL ARM
Tatweer Baladna —
education without borders.
Education Unbound co-founded Tatweer Baladna in 2017 alongside an exceptional team of Lebanese educators, community builders, and youth advocates. Based in Beirut, Tatweer Baladna is the on-the-ground partner that makes EdU's international work possible — most visibly through Revive Baladna, which reached 180 displaced children in its pilot phase.
TATWEER BALADNA · EST. 2017
Co-founded by Education Unbound. Run by an exceptional Lebanese team.
Tatweer Baladna ("Developing Our Country" in Arabic) is a Lebanese nonprofit focused on quality education and community engagement. Since 2017 it has reached thousands of children, youth, and teachers across Lebanon — through STEAM education, tech and employability programs, and capacity building.
EdU provides strategic direction, curriculum, fundraising, and research infrastructure. Tatweer Baladna provides deep community trust, local expertise, and direct implementation on the ground. Neither could do what both do together.
VISION
"We speak the language of the future." Sustainable youth empowerment through education, mindset, STEAM, and 21st-century tech and employability skills.
PROGRESS
STEAM & robotics education · Tech & employability training · Capacity building for individuals and organizations · Civic education and community engagement across Lebanon.
BASED ON
HEXA Coworking · The Spot Mall, Choueifat, Lebanon ·
REVIVE BALADNA
Tatweer Baladna designs, facilitates, and implements all Revive Baladna workshops on the ground — managing child protection, logistics, and community outreach across shelter sites.
2017
YEAR FOUNDED
3
PROGRAM AREAS
180
CHILDREN IN REVIVE BALADNA PILOT
300
TARGET · PHASE 2 UNDERWAY
OUR TEAM
The people who
make it happen.
Education Unbound is powered by educators, communicators, and finance professionals who share a deep commitment to underserved communities.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR · M.ED.
Ben co-founded NuMinds Enrichment in 2013 after over a decade in the classroom and served as CEO from 2016 to 2020. He brings a passion for purpose-driven work to EdU's mission and programs.
AMBASSADOR OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Farahana is a published children's book author and mindfulness coach. Her passion is to bring the practice of mindfulness to underserved populations through writing and playful storytelling.
LEAD STORYTELLER
Dana is a marketing enthusiast and graduate of LAU in Beirut, Lebanon. She maximizes EdU's impact by strategically melding the brand, issues, audience, and resources.
FINANCE MANAGER
Jayshree has a Master's in Finance and a decade of accounting experience. A native of India and long-time resident of Texas, she is passionate about global issues and travel.
ADVISIORY BORD
Guided by experience.
Driven by purpose.
Our advisory board brings deep expertise in academia, entrepreneurship, law, finance, and the arts — all united by a belief in equitable access to education.
NextGen Senior Fellow · University of North Texas
Associate Professor in Marketing and Logistics at UNT. Dr. Pelton's research focuses on marketing channels, relationship marketing, and international distribution.
Co-founder, TechGenies
Serial entrepreneur and co-founder of TechGenies, a global technology company. Holds a B.E.E. from the American University in Beirut and an MBA from UT Austin. A long-time champion of youth education.
Entrepreneur · Philanthropist
Founder of A-Tex Pools Inc. and seasoned entrepreneur. Holds a Lifetime Texas Teaching Certificate in business and history, and mentors elementary students through Junior Achievement Austin.
International Attorney · HR Professional
18+ years of experience in Corporate, Commercial, and Business Law, Trademarks, Contracts, Mergers, and Acquisitions across the US and Latin America.
Fine Artist · Graphic Designer · NeuroArts Researcher
Fine artist, graphic designer, and NeuroArts researcher born in Liberia to Lebanese parents. Weeda's work reflects the complex texture of multicultural life and drives Education Unbound's research connection to NeuroArts Dallas.
Senior Executive · Lecturer, SMU
25+ years in IT software and telecom. Specializes in strategic leadership, business strategies, and risk management. Currently Regional Manager of the Americas at TRT and lecturer at Southern Methodist University.
OUR FINANCIALS
Transparent by design.
Education Unbound is committed to full financial transparency. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, our Form 990 filings are public record. Review them below.
2017
FORM 990
2020
FORM 990
2018
FORM 990
2021
FORM 990
2019
FORM 990
2022
FORM 990
Note: 2021 filing not included in this set.
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We believe in radical transparency
Education Unbound is a tax-exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Questions about our finances or governance? Email us at Info@educationunbound.org.