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Who we are and
why we do this.

Education Unbound is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded on a single belief: access to creative, rigorous education should never depend on zip code or income. Meet the people and principles behind the work.

Our Story NuMinds Partnership Tatweer Baladna Our Team Advisory Board Our Financials
Education Unbound in the community
Our Story
"We prepare students for careers that don't exist yet."

Education Unbound was founded to close a gap that has persisted for decades: underserved students in North Texas — and around the world — are being educated for a world that no longer exists. Only 30% of Texas underserved 4th graders meet grade-level reading standards. Only 32% of underserved high school graduates earn a postsecondary credential.

We exist to change those numbers — through STEAM-integrated programs built around the 6 Cs of 21st-century education, delivered by educators who believe every child has potential worth investing in.

Today, Education Unbound has reached 5,250 underserved students through programs in North Texas and internationally through Revive Baladna in Lebanon — with the research to back it up. Our sustainability is built into the model: our sister company NuMinds Enrichment, which Education Unbound holds a major ownership stake in, commits 10% of all profits directly to EdU's programs.

Our Mission

Prepare underserved students to flourish through integrated learning, social-emotional support, and 21st-century skills.

Our Structure

501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit · Richardson, Texas · Founded to serve underserved populations in North Texas and beyond.

Our Approach

Project-based, interdisciplinary, SEL-integrated programs — measured for impact and connected to NeuroArts research.

Our Reach

5,250 students served · 2 countries · 2 active programs · 1 international pilot with 180 children in Lebanon.

Our Journey

Built one program
at a time.

2013

NuMinds Enrichment founded

Benjamin Koch co-founds NuMinds Enrichment — the proprietary curriculum model that would become the backbone of Camp Katy — after over a decade in the classroom.

2016

Education Unbound established

Education Unbound launches as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to bring NuMinds' STEAM curriculum directly to underserved communities in North Texas — with Camp Katy as its flagship program.

2021

Camp Katy impact documented

School districts report that Camp Katy students show 3× literacy and numeracy fluency gains, academic growth equivalent to 1–2 grade levels, and a 95% participation rate — driven by SEL integration.

2025

Future Bound launches

Education Unbound expands to high school with Future Bound — a year-round college and career readiness program for grades 9–12, centered on portfolio development, mentorship, and the 6 Cs.

2026

Revive Baladna — Lebanon pilot complete

In partnership with Tatweer Baladna in Beirut, Education Unbound reaches 180 displaced children across five communities with structured art workshops. Preliminary observations show significant wellbeing gains. Phase 2 is now underway — scaling to 300 children.

Our Sustainable Model

NuMinds Enrichment —
the engine behind everything.

Education Unbound doesn't rely solely on donations. Our sustainability is structural: we hold a major ownership stake in NuMinds Enrichment, our for-profit sister company — and NuMinds commits 10% of every dollar it earns directly to EdU's programs. The more NuMinds grows, the more EdU can do.

NuMinds Enrichment · Est. 2013

Built by teachers.
Owned (in part) by us.

Founded in 2013 by Ben Koch and Justin Vawter — two "rogue" public school teachers who refused to let standardized curriculum flatten their students' potential. NuMinds now serves K–8 schools across the United States with its proprietary Bamboo Curriculum™, professional development programs, and teacher training.

Education Unbound holds a major ownership stake in NuMinds. Every curriculum sale, every camp contract, every teacher workshop that NuMinds delivers feeds directly back into EdU's ability to serve underserved communities.

10% of all NuMinds profits → Education Unbound programs
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Bamboo Curriculum™

NuMinds' proprietary curriculum model — narrative-driven, project-based, inductive — powers Camp Katy's academic programming. Over 200+ enrichment units developed for K–8, tested and refined with real students.

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Camps & Programs

NuMinds runs STEAM camps and enrichment programs across the country through CampPursuit.com. The curriculum, instructor training, and program design developed through these camps is what powers Camp Katy for underserved students.

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Teacher Development

The NuMinds Teacher Purpose Lab and professional development workshops train educators in SEL, mindfulness, project-based learning, and purpose-driven pedagogy — the same practices embedded in every EdU program.

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NuMinds.TV

800+ hours of free original educational programming in English, Spanish, and Arabic — extending EdU's reach to learners who can't access in-person programs. All free. All accessible.

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Inspirator Network

A global community of educators, administrators, and education advocates. The network feeds talent, ideas, and partnerships directly into Education Unbound's programs and mission.

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Built-in Giving

NuMinds isn't a charity that happens to do business. It's a business that was designed from day one to fund a mission. 10% of profits, scholarships, refugee programs, rural STEAM access — all baked in from the start.

"We are a for-profit business that is in business to change the world. The more we make, the more we gladly give away."
— NuMinds Enrichment
Visit NuMinds Enrichment →
Our International Arm

Tatweer Baladna —
education without borders.

Education Unbound co-founded Tatweer Baladna in 2017 alongside an exceptional team of Lebanese educators, community builders, and youth advocates. Based in Beirut, Tatweer Baladna is the on-the-ground partner that makes EdU's international work possible — most visibly through Revive Baladna, which reached 180 displaced children in its pilot phase.

Tatweer Baladna · Est. 2017

Co-founded by Education Unbound. Run by an exceptional Lebanese team.

Tatweer Baladna ("Developing Our Country" in Arabic) is a Lebanese nonprofit focused on quality education and community engagement. Since 2017 it has reached thousands of children, youth, and teachers across Lebanon — through STEAM education, tech and employability programs, and capacity building.

EdU provides strategic direction, curriculum, fundraising, and research infrastructure. Tatweer Baladna provides deep community trust, local expertise, and direct implementation on the ground. Neither could do what both do together.

Visit Tatweer Baladna →
Vision

"We speak the language of the future." Sustainable youth empowerment through education, mindset, STEAM, and 21st-century tech and employability skills.

Programs

STEAM & robotics education · Tech & employability training · Capacity building for individuals and organizations · Civic education and community engagement across Lebanon.

Based at

HEXA Coworking · The Spot Mall, Choueifat, Lebanon · info@tatweerbaladna.org

Revive Baladna

Tatweer Baladna designs, facilitates, and implements all Revive Baladna workshops on the ground — managing child protection, logistics, and community outreach across shelter sites.

2017
Year founded
3
Program areas
180
Children in Revive Baladna pilot
300
Target · Phase 2 underway
Our Team

The people who
make it happen.

Education Unbound is powered by educators, communicators, and finance professionals who share a deep commitment to underserved communities.

Benjamin Koch
Executive Director · M.Ed.

Benjamin Koch

Ben co-founded NuMinds Enrichment in 2013 after over a decade in the classroom and served as CEO from 2016 to 2020. He brings a passion for purpose-driven work to EdU's mission and programs.

Farahana Kassam
Ambassador of Community Partnerships

Farahana Kassam

Farahana is a published children's book author and mindfulness coach. Her passion is to bring the practice of mindfulness to underserved populations through writing and playful storytelling.

Dana Ballout
Lead Storyteller

Dana Ballout

Dana is a marketing enthusiast and graduate of LAU in Beirut, Lebanon. She maximizes EdU's impact by strategically melding the brand, issues, audience, and resources.

Jayshree Ramkumar
Finance Manager

Jayshree Ramkumar

Jayshree has a Master's in Finance and a decade of accounting experience. A native of India and long-time resident of Texas, she is passionate about global issues and travel.

Advisory Board

Guided by experience.
Driven by purpose.

Our advisory board brings deep expertise in academia, entrepreneurship, law, finance, and the arts — all united by a belief in equitable access to education.

LP

Lou E. Pelton, Ph.D.

NextGen Senior Fellow · University of North Texas

Associate Professor in Marketing and Logistics at UNT. Dr. Pelton's research focuses on marketing channels, relationship marketing, and international distribution.

MH

Maan (Mark) Hamdan

Co-founder, TechGenies

Serial entrepreneur and co-founder of TechGenies, a global technology company. Holds a B.E.E. from the American University in Beirut and an MBA from UT Austin. A long-time champion of youth education.

JH

Joseph Hajjar

Entrepreneur · Philanthropist

Founder of A-Tex Pools Inc. and seasoned entrepreneur. Holds a Lifetime Texas Teaching Certificate in business and history, and mentors elementary students through Junior Achievement Austin.

AC

Adriana Contreras, Ph.D.

International Attorney · HR Professional

18+ years of experience in Corporate, Commercial, and Business Law, Trademarks, Contracts, Mergers, and Acquisitions across the US and Latin America.

WH

Weeda Shoujah Hamdan

Fine Artist · Graphic Designer · NeuroArts Researcher

Fine artist, graphic designer, and NeuroArts researcher born in Liberia to Lebanese parents. Weeda's work reflects the complex texture of multicultural life and drives Education Unbound's research connection to NeuroArts Dallas.

KS

Klyne Smith, Ph.D.

Senior Executive · Lecturer, SMU

25+ years in IT software and telecom. Specializes in strategic leadership, business strategies, and risk management. Currently Regional Manager of the Americas at TRT and lecturer at Southern Methodist University.

Our Financials

Transparent by design.

Education Unbound is committed to full financial transparency. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, our Form 990 filings are public record. Review them below.

2017
Form 990
View File →
2018
Form 990
View File →
2019
Form 990
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2020
Form 990
View File →
2022
Form 990
View File →
2023
Form 990
View File →

Note: 2021 filing not included in this set.

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We believe in radical transparency

Education Unbound is a tax-exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Questions about our finances or governance? Email us at Info@educationunbound.org.

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Every donation goes directly to students. Every partnership extends our reach. Every volunteer hour makes a difference.

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Part of the NeuroArts Dallas Ecosystem

Education Unbound is the research in action.

Our programs contribute real data to NeuroArts Dallas's evidence base — connecting creative practice, neuroscience, and measurable community wellbeing.

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