Fueling Brighter Futures in the Avenue: Why Your Year-End Gift Matters
As we approach the end of the year, Fuse Project is reflecting on a season of meaningful progress and renewed momentum in our community. Across our three Avenue schools—Florence Howard Elementary, Calloway-Smith Middle, and Pathway K-5—students are experiencing more opportunity, more support, and more encouragement than ever before. And while there is still work to be done, the change happening inside these classrooms is real. It is measurable. And it is powered directly by people like you.
This year, your generosity helped bring targeted academic support, hands-on enrichment, and opportunities otherwise unavailable to students in the Avenue community. As we look ahead to 2026, your year-end gift will determine what is possible next.
A Year of Achievement and Growth
The Alabama State Report Cards for 2024–2025 reflect meaningful and encouraging progress in the Avenue schools we serve. At Florence Howard Elementary School, the overall score increased from 78 to 82, alongside a dramatic drop in chronic absenteeism—from 16.64% to 9.16%. Calloway-Smith Middle School experienced even greater gains, with its score rising from 73 to 81 and chronic absenteeism falling from 14.83% to just 5.37%. These improvements point to more than academic growth alone; they signal stronger student engagement, consistent attendance, and school environments where students are showing up ready to learn.
This progress did not happen by chance. Through Fuse Project’s Academic Support Program, students were motivated by incentives tied to effort and growth, energized by hands-on enrichment experiences, and supported by teachers who felt seen and celebrated. When students have something to work toward - something to look forward to - attendance improves, confidence grows, and learning accelerates. While the numbers alone cannot tell every story, they affirm what our community already knows: sustained investment leads to lasting change.
For additional context and data, the complete Alabama State Report Cards for Florence Howard Elementary School and Calloway-Smith Middle School are available on the Alabama State Department of Education website.
Academic Growth Snapshot of Avenue Schools:
Florence Howard Elementary School Alabama State Report Card
2024–2025 score: 82
2023–2024 score: 78
Chronic absenteeism dropped from 16.64% to 9.16%.
Calloway-Smith Middle School Alabama State Report Card
2024–2025 score: 81
2023–2024 score: 73
Chronic absenteeism dropped from 14.83% to 5.37%.
Strengthening the Academic Support Ecosystem
Fuse Project’s Academic Support Program continues to be a key driver of growth within the Avenue schools. Throughout the year, our team worked alongside administrators, teachers, and partners to provide tools and experiences that help students learn, stay motivated, and build confidence.
At Florence Howard Elementary and Calloway-Smith Middle, we brought targeted academic incentives, extracurricular hands-on learning, and regular recognition for both students and teachers. These efforts contributed to stronger attendance, increased time on task, improved reading scores, and more consistent classroom engagement.
At Pathway K-5, where students often arrive with complex behavioral or social-emotional needs, Fuse Project provided positive behavior incentives that support growth well beyond academics. Students in the ABLE (Autism and Behavioral Learning Extension) units and the Alternative Program benefited from opportunities that promote movement, connection, and self-regulation, helping them transition back to their home schools with greater success.
Expanding Access to Enrichment and Out-of-School Learning
One of the most transformative aspects of Fuse Project’s work is the enrichment students receive outside of traditional classroom time. In the Avenue community, access to arts, sports, wellness, and hands-on programs can be limited; your support helps close that gap.
SPARK Summer Camp continued to deliver an engaging mix of academics and enrichment designed to reduce summer learning loss. Students learned about cooking and nutrition with The Cookery Project through SPARK Summer Cooking Club; exercised creativity with Mobile Arts Council, Amp Up Arts, and Sunnyside Theater; and explored the outdoors with Mobile Urban Growers. Movement-based fitness days with Soccer4Life and Mobile Ballet kept students on their toes (literally), active, and excited to learn.
This fall, we also celebrated the relaunch of the Avenue Swim Club, a partnership with City of Mobile Swim Association and USA Swimming’s Community Impact Program. This initiative provided Florence Howard students (and soon additional Avenue schools) with critical water safety skills, swimming lessons, and knowledge that can save lives. Fox 10 News even covered the program, highlighting its significance for families who may not otherwise have access to pools or swimming instruction.
Building Community Through Engagement
Beyond school walls, your support helps strengthen the Avenue as a whole. From Lip Sync Battle and BOO! Project to Order of Fuse volunteer efforts and neighborhood engagement, Fuse Project continues to serve as a catalyst for community connection. Every celebration, incentive, and partnership reflects a shared belief: when families, schools, and supporters work together, children thrive.
Why Year-End Giving Matters Now
Our friends at Wilkins Miller shared important updates about charitable giving in 2025, and their guidance underscores why year-end philanthropy is especially meaningful this season.
With tax law changes set to return in 2026, donors may benefit from “bunching” their charitable gifts this year. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs remain an effective way for individuals age 70½ or older to make a significant impact while reducing taxable income. Gifts of appreciated stock can also maximize generosity by eliminating capital gains tax while providing a full-value deduction.
Whether you give through a donor-advised fund, a QCD, appreciated assets, or a traditional year-end donation, your support directly strengthens opportunities for children in the Avenue community.
Read more about year-end giving and charitable giving from Wilkins Miller.
Your Impact in the Year Ahead
A year-end gift to Fuse Project ensures that we can expand and sustain the programs that have been changing lives across our community:
More academic support and incentives in all three schools
A stronger, wider-reaching SPARK Summer program
Continued water safety instruction through the Avenue Swim Club
Additional arts, sports, and hands-on enrichment opportunities
Increased teacher support and appreciation
A deeper cradle-to-college/career pipeline for students and families
Every contribution builds momentum. Every gift opens doors.
Join Us in Finishing the Year Strong
The progress we’ve seen this year is just the beginning. With your partnership, Fuse Project will continue to create meaningful, measurable, and lasting change for students and families in our community.
We invite you to make a year-end gift that fuels the next chapter of this work. The impact of your generosity will be felt in classrooms, in gymnasiums, in swim lessons, in summer clubs, and in the daily lives of children who deserve the brightest possible future.
Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for supporting Fuse Project and The Historic Avenue Foundation. And thank you for investing in the world’s most valuable resource, investing in children.