Donations

Why Give

Turning Support Into Opportunity

When you give to the Education for Freedom Foundation, you are providing more than financial assistance. You are opening doors for women who are rebuilding their lives and children who need extra support and creating opportunities for families to thrive.

Through our matching program, the operational costs for the grant arm of the Foundation are covered by the Cinthanie R. Crenshaw Trust. This means that every donation you give goes directly to funding grants for women and children, creating a ripple effect that strengthens families and stabilizes communities.

Ways to Give

Choose the Path That Fits You

Investing in education is an investment in hope. By supporting the Foundation, we are expanding access to learning, advocating for equity, and fostering lifelong curiosity to help build a future where every individual has the chance to thrive. Making a change
through education is not just an ideal—it is a practical path toward a world filled with possibility, progress, and hope.

Support comes in many forms, and every gift matters:

One-Time Donation

Make an immediate impact today

Monthly Giving

Provide steady support year-round

In-Kind Donations

Give through goods, services, or resources that directly support women’s education and independence

Sponsorships & Partnerships

Join as a business or organization committed to change

Make a Donation

You’ll be redirected to our Givebutter campaign page to complete your secure donation. Every contribution helps women and children access education and opportunity.

Our Gratitude

Thank You for Your Support

We’re deeply grateful for every donor who believes in the power of education to change lives. Your generosity helps women and children rebuild their futures through opportunity, independence, and hope.

This space will soon highlight the incredible individuals and organizations whose contributions make our mission possible.

Your Trust Matters

Committed to Transparency and Accountability

We honor every dollar given to our mission. Donations are carefully managed and directed to programs that create lasting change. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Annual reports and audited financials are available for public review on our Financials page.

Rachel Dalton

VP of Education Grants

Advocate for Educational Opportunity and Community Service

Rachel Dalton’s passion for education and service permeates her work and community engagement. As Vice President of Education Grants, she leads the Foundation’s efforts to provide survivors of abuse with educational opportunities—opening new pathways for women to rebuild and achieve their goals.

Her longstanding volunteer roles within her local school district reflect a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. Rachel’s commitment to supporting students, teachers, and families speaks to her integrity, compassion, and spirit of service.

Rachel brings professional expertise as a loan processor to our mission of expanding educational opportunities. Her keen attention to detail, financial acumen, and commitment to fairness—skills honed in her day job—ensure our grant programs are efficient, transparent, and impactful.

By guiding grant initiatives and advocating for access, Rachel directly advances the Foundation’s mission—empowering women and children in adverse situations to find renewal, healing, and hope through the gift of learning.

Emily Sparks

VP of Reading Grants

Innovator in Literacy and Differentiated Instruction

With 13 years of teaching excellence, Emily Sparks is an educator whose commitment to student growth and learning shines through every endeavor. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology, complemented by endorsements in Reading, STEM, Technology, and ESL.

Emily’s training in the Science of Reading and LETRS equips her with evidence-based strategies that make her one of the state’s top-scoring reading teachers. Her expertise in phonics-based methods and literacy instruction nurtures strong foundational skills and reading confidence in young learners—an essential element in the Foundation’s mission to foster academic success and independence.

Emily’s dedication to differentiated instruction and support for diverse learners ensures that every student, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to thrive. Her innovative approach and mastery of best practices make her an invaluable asset to the Board, guiding efforts to expand reading support and cultivate lifelong curiosity.

Laura Hesson

Secretary & VP of Communications

Champion for Educational Equity and Community Empowerment

Laura Hesson’s career is defined by over two decades of unwavering service to education and advocacy. With a lifelong love of learning and a belief in its transformational power, Laura has shaped equitable opportunities for underserved and at-risk women and children.

Her 18-year tenure as an elected official on her local school board attests to her leadership and vision—developing policy, overseeing budgets, and championing equity initiatives to ensure that every child, regardless of background, receives a quality education. Her strategic planning and engagement have left an indelible mark on her community, earning respect from peers, families, and educators.

Laura’s experience working with PTAs at every level for over 20 years further amplifies her impact. From parent engagement to community programs and student advocacy, Laura has fostered meaningful connections and empowered families.

Professionally, Laura brings organizational leadership and executive support experience, alongside a background in marketing to promote causes and forge genuine community bonds. Her blend of heart, strategy, and administrative expertise makes her uniquely qualified to help the Foundation create safe spaces where education becomes a pathway to hope, healing, and opportunity.

Cinthanie R. Crenshaw

Founder & Executive Director

Visionary Leader, Compassionate Advocate

For over three decades, Cinthanie R. Barton Crenshaw has devoted her life to service—evolving from business owner to community leader, volunteer, and most importantly, mother and grandmother. As a survivor of abuse, Cinthanie transformed her personal journey into a source of hope for others, founding the Education for Freedom Foundation to provide survivors with educational grants and the chance to attend technical colleges on scholarships.

Her philosophy is simple but profound: through education, freedom is possible—not only for women rebuilding their lives, but for generations yet to come. Her vision extends to fostering early literacy through reading tutoring, nurturing a love of learning from the start.

Cinthanie’s qualifications reflect both academic achievement and real-world experience. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (minor in Communication) from Utah Tech University and ongoing graduate study in Non-Profit Leadership and Management at Arizona State University, she pairs theoretical understanding with hands-on expertise. Her entrepreneurial journey spans 30+ years, managing businesses and properties across Utah and Nevada, while her volunteer service includes roles as foster mother, PTA leader, CASA advocate for at-risk youth, and support for organizations such as Boy Scouts of America and Utah Foster Care Foundation.

Cinthanie’s deep community involvement—including service as Secretary/Treasurer for her local Republican district and HOA management committee—illustrates her tireless dedication. Now living in the peaceful woods of Utah, she embodies the foundation’s mission every day, guided by a steadfast commitment to helping others achieve renewal and freedom through learning.