Supporters
Stronger Schools. Stronger Partnerships.
VAIS brings together independent schools, educators, leaders, and organizations committed to strengthening education across the Commonwealth. Our supporters are an important part of that community. Through sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and academic collaborations, organizations can build meaningful relationships with VAIS schools while helping expand professional learning, strengthen leadership, and advance excellence in independent education.
VAIS partnerships are grounded in shared purpose. We work with organizations whose expertise, resources, and ideas can contribute to the work of our schools and the people who lead them.
Contact us to learn more about partnership and sponsorship opportunities.
Strategic Partners Corporate Partners: Gold, Silver & Bronze Academic Partners
Strategic Partners
9ine
Approach
Approach, a firm dedicated exclusively to guiding organizations towards continuous improvement. Prior to launching Approach in 2024, Megan served as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Education and Support at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) for five years. With a legal career spanning over 16 years, Megan has a proven track record of partnering with leadership teams to mitigate risk and drive organizational growth.
Lead Team Partners
Your mission is too important to leave to chance,and your time is your most precious resource. LeadTeam connects school leaders with the specific expertise needed to navigate every milestone — providing the vetting and objective data you need to move forward with confidence while staying present for your community.
OneDigital
OneDigital takes a comprehensive view of a company’s retirement plan and integrates it into a broader workforce strategy allowing employees to operate undistracted by financial stressors and at the highest level of their ability.
More clarity. Earlier action. Better outcomes.
RCM&D
RCM&D’s Education Practice provides insurance brokerage and risk management services to VAIS member institutions and over 200 schools nationwide.
RCM&D is the exclusive broker for the Cherry Blossom Consortium, a proprietary, group buying program for Property & Casualty Insurance leveraging the collective buying power of member schools for premium stability, coverage enhancements and access to enhanced risk assessment and risk management solutions.
Corporate Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
OneDigital
OneDigital takes a comprehensive view of a company’s retirement plan and integrates it into a broader workforce strategy allowing employees to operate undistracted by financial stressors and at the highest level of their ability.
More clarity. Earlier action. Better outcomes.
RCM&D
RCM&D’s Education Practice provides insurance brokerage and risk management services to VAIS member institutions and over 200 schools nationwide.
RCM&D is the exclusive broker for the Cherry Blossom Consortium, a proprietary, group buying program for Property & Casualty Insurance leveraging the collective buying power of member schools for premium stability, coverage enhancements and access to enhanced risk assessment and risk management solutions.
MISBO
MISBO helps independent schools solve problems they can't solve alone. For more than 50 years, we've brought school leaders together through professional learning, benchmarking, strategic consulting, purchasing programs, and collaborative solutions that strengthen schools. From business operations and technology to HR, finance, and employee benefits, MISBO provides practical expertise, trusted data, and a vibrant community. Power in numbers. Strength in schools.
The Budd Group
The Budd Group’s vision is to enrich people’s lives in the spaces where they live, learn, work, and play. The Budd Group is a family-owned and operated company that has provided exceptional services and solutions to facility managers for over 60 years. With more than 4,000 highly trained service associates, we can provide virtually any service required within a facility and are adept at integrating our services to create cost-effective solutions for our customers.
Silver Sponsors
9ine
Bronze Sponsors
38 House
38 House is a marketing and creative agency specializing in supporting independent schools. Founded by former independent school administrators, services include branding, consulting, video, photography, publication design, digital marketing, and websites. Guided by core values of helpfulness, continuous improvement, and excellence, 38 House acts as a trusted partner for independent schools.
AdvancementEDU
AdvancementEDU partners with independent schools and colleges to generate philanthropic revenue for transformational impact. Customized services include: development assessments, major gift strategy and coaching, annual giving strategy and planning, prospect research and portfolio management, feasibility studies, campaign counsel, and board training. For over two decades, AdvancementEDU founder Chris Dudley was in senior leadership at High Point University. From 2015-2023, he served as Senior Vice President for Development, leading a team that raised $450 million.
AI for Education
AI for Education is a mission-driven company dedicated to AI literacy for educators and students. Since 2024, we've trained over 300,000 educators and partnered with 300+ K-12 and higher ed institutions worldwide — including major urban districts and state education agencies — on responsible GenAI adoption. Our services span workshops and training, policy and strategy consulting, and free curriculum resources, all designed to help schools navigate AI thoughtfully while improving student outcomes. Led by CEO Amanda Bickerstaff, a former biology teacher and 20+ year education veteran.
Blackbaud
With more than 40 years of experience in private and independent K–12 schools, Blackbaud offers a total school solution that connects every facet of your school. From student and family engagement to admissions, academics, advancement, financial aid, and the business office, our software is purpose-built to help you drive impact.
Boost My School
Boost My School is the only fundraising platform and CRM built just for K-12 advancement teams. Transform your outdated donor experience with engaging fundraising pages and modern payment options for giving, events, and auctions.
Brown Edwards
Let our team handle the complex regulatory and accounting issues involved with running a not-for-profit so you can focus on your mission. Our team of specialists are experienced working with 501(c) organizations and are knowledgeable in economics, industry-trends, regulations, and operational procedures.
ClassLink
ClassLink is the leading global education provider of identity, access and analytics products that create more time for learning and help schools better understand digital engagement. As leading advocates for open data standards, we offer instant access to apps and files with single sign-on, streamline class rostering, automate account provisioning, and provide actionable analytics. ClassLink empowers 22 million students and staff in over 3,000 school systems.
NatureBridge
NatureBridge connects young people to the wonder and science of the natural world, igniting self-discovery and inspiring stewardship of our planet. Through our overnight, hands-on environmental science programs, we take more than 30,000 students each year into our national parks to explore the outdoors, connect with their peers, discover themselves and develop a lasting relationship with the environment.
Schooley Mitchell
We help schools, businesses and non-profits optimize vendor expenses. For schools, reducing operating expenses can provide valuable budget space that can be used to invest in student success.
Subbey
Subbey is a substitute management app made by educators. Subbey partners with schools to streamline the process of managing and communicating with substitute teachers.
SysCloud
Easy, Reliable Backup for K-12 Schools SysCloud helps K-12 schools protect their Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 data with automated backup and quick recovery. Our solution keeps student and staff data safe, ensures compliance, and helps schools recover from accidental deletions or cyber threats.
Toddle
Built for teachers by teachers, Toddle is an AI-powered teaching & learning platform for progressive K-12 schools. Going beyond a typical LMS, Toddle helps you streamline all your work – from curriculum planning and assessments to progress reports and school-home communication. 2,000+ leading schools around the world run on Toddle.
Academic Partners
Evidence Based Education
Raising the quality of teaching is the most effective way to improve pupil attainment and equity, so that’s exactly where we focus our efforts. We enhance teaching and learning expertise through research-led, innovative, impactful and engaging professional learning.
Drawing on input from a diverse team, we have combined years of experience in teaching and school leadership to develop the Great Teaching Toolkit. Because sustainable school improvement starts with great teaching.
James Madison University College of Education
JMU’s College of Education is distinguished through faculty and student achievements, academic rigor, excellence in teaching, student and faculty interactions and relationships, technological innovations, and national recognitions.
Leadership+Design
University of Lynchburg
At the University of Lynchburg, we inspire independent thinkers to become trustworthy, effective leaders who shape caring communities.
University of Richmond – SPCS
At the University of Richmond, we seek to meet the learning needs of working professionals through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. We’re collaborating with the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) to offer degree programs at discounted tuition rates through the UR Education Consortium. If you work at a Virginia independent school that’s a member of VAIS, you’re eligible for the discount.
William & Mary’s Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships
William & Mary’s Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships (SCP) catalyzes the university’s cultural and historic resources to generate new knowledge and advance understanding. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, W&M offers a top-rated academic experience while being consistently recognized as one of the best values in the nation, bringing together the global opportunities of a teaching, learning and research university with the personal education of a liberal arts and sciences institution.
World Leadership School
World Leadership School, a Founding B Corp, partners with K-12 schools in order to reimagine learning and create next-generation leaders. Since 2007, our diverse community has grown to 50+ staff, instructors, teacher coaches, and country coordinators around the world.
Our US-based staff coordinates World Leadership School’s travel and professional learning programs. Our instructors are amazing, intrepid, humorous, and wise experiential educators. Our teacher-coaches partner with educators to create learner-centered, purposeful classrooms. Our coordinators live and work near our host communities and nurture the long-term relationships that are the bedrock of the work that we do.
Gain the benefits of a VAIS membership.
Membership connects independent school teams to a powerful professional network dedicated to strengthening independent school education across Virginia. Member schools gain access to professional learning, leadership development, accreditation support, research, and collaborative networks.