The Gifting Initiative

In order to excel in today's competitive world, students need to learn more than what is offered by traditional academic courses. Skills like communication, decision making, and goal setting are essential. Because of this, Community for Education Foundation created the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program to help educators teach their students the skills they need to be successful in life.

We believe that every school deserves access to the Overcoming Obstacles program, which has already helped thousands of educators positively impact the lives of over 2.5 million young people nationwide. However, many schools are suffering from debilitating budget cuts and cannot afford much-needed programs like Overcoming Obstacles.

In response to these cuts, Community for Education Foundation created the Gifting Initiative, through which it provides the complete Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program to eligible schools and districts at no cost. To apply, schools must submit a plan detailing how they intend to implement the program in at least one class period per week. Schools accepted into the Gifting Initiative must participate in teacher training workshops and teacher/student surveys.

Community for Education Foundation is working to introduce the initiative to eligible districts nationwide. Our largest partner—the New York City Department of Education—is bringing the Overcoming Obstacles program to all of its 850 middle schools and high schools, which will help over 450,000 young people each year learn the skills they need to succeed.

Please see our Gifting Initiative FAQ below for more information and to learn how you can apply.

Frequently Asked Questions


+ Does my school/district qualify for admission into the Gifting Initiative?
To qualify for admission into the Gifting Initiative, you must do the following:
  • Commit to using the program in at least one class period per week
  • Create a detailed implementation plan outlining how the program will be used
  • Complete teacher and student surveys that measure the program's impact
  • Participate in teacher training workshops
If you are an individual or non-school organization interested in bringing the Gifting Initiative to a school you are involved with, please contact us and a member of our staff will reach out to you as soon as possible. You may also purchase the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program via our online store.
+ How do I apply for admission?
To begin your application process, please submit the form on our contact us page and a member of our staff will reach out to you as soon as possible.
+ I've submitted the form. What are the next steps?
Once you have submitted the form on the contact us page, a member of our staff will contact you to conduct a basic assessment of your eligibility. After that, you must submit an implementation plan describing how the Overcoming Obstacles program will be used, the needs of your students, and the goals you hope to achieve through the program. If you represent a district, each school that is interested in receiving the program in your district must submit its own implementation plan.

A decision will be made within seven to 10 business days following the submission of your implementation plan. Once approval is granted, electronic access to the Overcoming Obstacles curriculum via the Gifting Initiative section of our website will be provided. Approved schools may also request hard copies of our curriculum materials at no cost.
+ What is required of schools admitted into the initiative?
Approved schools must commit to following their implementation plan and participate in either onsite teacher training workshops or online webinars. Approved schools must also participate in pre- and post-surveys, which will measure the program's impact. Pre-surveys must be submitted within seven to 10 business days of a school's first Overcoming Obstacles session. Post-surveys must be submitted within seven to 10 business days following the end of the course.
+ What is provided to Gifting Initiative schools?
Schools enrolled in the Gifting Initiative receive full electronic access to Overcoming Obstacles' curriculum materials via our website. Hard copies of the curriculum are also provided on request.

In addition, Community for Education Foundation provides approved schools with ongoing support, assistance with program implementation, teacher training, pacing plans, and supplemental activities.
+ How can I support the Gifting Initiative?
If you would like to help Community for Education Foundation continue to bring the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program to schools nationwide, please visit our donation page.

If you would like more information about the Gifting Initiative, please contact us.

Gifting Initiative Members

Click here to log in and begin downloading Overcoming Obstacles curriculum materials.

Not a Member?

Community for Education Foundation offers additional resources to all educators, regardless of their participation in the Gifting Initiative. Click here to download free handbooks on bullying prevention, service learning, and more!