HERO 2024–2026 Impact Snapshot
Growing Access, Strengthening Churches, and Investing in Christ-Centered Education
At Heartland Christian Ministries Association, our mission is simple but ambitious: empowering churches to transform communities through faith-based education.
Over the past two years, that mission has taken increasingly tangible form through scholarships, stronger church partnerships, growing donor support, and opportunities to bring Christian educators and education leaders together.
The numbers tell an encouraging story—not simply of organizational growth, but of a growing community of people investing in the future of Christ-centered education.
Donor Support Is Growing
One of the clearest signs of momentum has been the growth of individual donor support.
In 2024, eight individual donors contributed a combined $7,275 to the work of HERO and HCMA.
In 2025, the number of individual donors increased to 22, while individual giving reached $22,905—a 214% increase in giving in just one year.
Every gift represents more than a number. It represents someone choosing to invest in families, educators, schools, churches, and the continued growth of faith-based education in our communities.
131 Scholarships. $143,251 Invested in Students.
The HERO Scholarship Program has experienced especially significant growth.
During the 2024–2025 school year, HERO awarded:
51 scholarships$28,550 invested in students
During the 2025–2026 school year, that grew to:
80 scholarships$114,701 invested in students
Together, those two school years represent 131 scholarships and $143,251 invested in students and their education.
We are also grateful to the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which contributed $23,794 to the HERO Scholarship Fund, helping strengthen this work and expand the resources available to families.
Behind every scholarship is a family seeking an educational environment aligned with their convictions and a student being given greater access to that opportunity.
Churches Are an Essential Part of the Mission
HCMA was built around the conviction that churches have an important role to play in strengthening Christian education.
That network continues to grow.
HCMA now has 7 official church partners, with 34 churches engaged in the organization’s broader work.
These partnerships help create something larger than any one school or program: a growing network of churches, educators, families, donors, and leaders working together to strengthen Christ-centered education.
Growing Our Reach—and Creating Opportunities for Connection
Our ability to serve this community also depends on our ability to reach and connect people.
By 2025, HCMA and HERO's growing media and communication platforms included:
2,000+ newsletter subscribers
571 Facebook followers
90 YouTube subscribers
328 published YouTube videos
44,158 YouTube views
But connection happens beyond a screen.
Throughout 2025, HERO and HCMA created opportunities for educators, families, church leaders, and supporters to gather and engage through initiatives including the HERO Film Premiere, HERO Scholarship Program, LiftED Retreat, and Pastor’s Breakfast.
Each of these initiatives serves a different part of the same larger mission: strengthening the people and institutions working to make Christ-centered education possible.
The Work Continues
The growth represented in these numbers is encouraging, but it is not the finish line.
HCMA and HERO continue to expand the scholarship program, strengthen relationships with churches, equip Christian educators and school leaders, and create opportunities for people committed to faith-based education to find one another and work together.
Our goal is not simply to grow an organization.
It is to help build an ecosystem in which Christian educators are supported, churches are equipped to engage in education, innovative schools can thrive, and more families have access to educational opportunities consistent with their faith.
Thank You for Being Part of This Work
Every scholarship awarded, every church partnership formed, every gathering held, and every family served is possible because people choose to invest their time, resources, expertise, and prayers in this mission.
To our donors, church partners, school leaders, educators, volunteers, and families: thank you.
Together, we are continuing to grow, serve, and strengthen Christ-centered education—and we are excited about what comes next.
Want to help make the next chapter possible?
Your support helps HERO and HCMA expand scholarships, strengthen Christian schools and educators, build partnerships with churches, and invest in the future of faith-based education.
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