Giving Tuesday is December 2nd, 2025. Please consider helping us reach our goal of $5000! Your donation supports youth leadership at Northwood:
Just before the COVID lockdown, Tyler Mason (c/o 2006) reconnected with his high school Student Council advisor, Henry Foust. Mr. Foust was a monumental figure in Tyler's life, and in the lives of many others. His rigid standards and his unerring push for participation and opportunity for his students led Tyler to his current success. Tyler realized that there were so many folks who likely couldn't access the same resources, simply because of financial challenges.
If you know Tyler and Henry, you know that a little money cannot stop them. Henry roped in Ron Clouse (c/o 1986) and others, including the current Student Council, to help Tyler's idea take more concrete shape.
They worked with a lawyer who helped them go through the steps to create a non-profit. They developed a community of former NHS grads and Student Council alumni, all of whom have witnessed how powerful it can be to be given a chance to learn how to lead at a young age. As the organization continues to develop, so to does the mission.
With access to more resources, NLF is able to give more away, not only helping individual students and teachers but also helping the collective student body. NLF's long term goal is to be able to provide access to resources well into post-secondary education for Northwood alumni.
Good leaders make a difference. You've seen it in your offices, churches, book clubs and bowling leagues. And you've seen it when someone does not have the leadership skills necessary to take on the task—sometimes simply in a meeting when there's no agenda or organization, or sometimes when a representative does not meet the criteria of honor and care needed to be trusted by their constituents. When an efficient, thoughtful, kind, generous leader takes on a task, you can believe them. You know they'll get the job done, without worry over ethical decisions or ineffective planning. Good leaders create safety and resilience in communities. Good leaders build connections and create long lasting relationships that make differences wherever they are. Those of us who have had, or have been, good leaders know what it means to be honored with this responsibility.
Northwood Leadership Foundation seeks to create spaces for these future leaders to learn the skills necessary to be worthy of our collective trust. All our young people deserve the opportunity to learn how to take the problems given to them and create solutions that honor the dignity and humanity of others around them.