The National Network of Schools in Partnership Merges with the Close Up Foundation

For Immediate Release
July 12, 2023
Contact: media@closeup.org

The National Network of Schools in Partnership Merges with the Close Up Foundation

Arlington, VA – The Close Up Foundation is pleased to announce that it has merged with the National Network of Schools in Partnership (NNSP), with NNSP becoming a division of Close Up effective July 1, 2023. The new division will be overseen by NNSP’s longtime executive director, Blake Kohn, and the entirety of Close Up will remain under the purview of Close Up CEO Eric Adydan.

This opportunity brings together two national nonprofit organizations with a shared commitment to civics and community engagement. Close Up and NNSP have collaborated as partners since 2020, working together to reach students and teachers nationwide through a variety of Impact programming.

“This is an exciting chance to expand our network and enhance our capacity for engaging students and educators nationwide,” said Adydan. “With a proven track record of working together, Close Up and NNSP have the potential to collaborate even more closely on developing and implementing programs, curriculum, professional development, and outreach campaigns that reach new students, educators, and schools while honoring the missions of both organizations.”

“This opportunity allows the incredible work of NNSP with independent and public schools to reach a broader audience, become more integrated in cross-curricular work of schools, and have greater, lasting impact on students,” said NNSP board member Debra Wilson. “These two organizations have proven through the pandemic that they can work together seamlessly and create additional value for schools, students, and educators. This merger will facilitate even greater cooperation and allow the mutual strengths of the organizations to offer more opportunities in the future.”

Since its founding in 1971, Close Up has given more than one million students and teachers in all 50 states a nonpartisan, content-rich civic education while helping young people gain the skills and confidence to play an active role in the democratic process. Close Up accomplishes this through experiential programming in Washington, DC, and in local communities, virtual programming, professional development for educators, and the design of curriculum and classroom resources that spark discussion and engagement at school and out in the community.

NNSP, a membership-based organization established in 2013, is a leader in curriculum and professional development for social impact and community engagement programs in K-12 schools. With over 200 member organizations that include public, private, and charter schools, educational access and enrichment programs, and policy and education reform groups, NNSP has supported thousands of educators through its webinars, learning cohorts, summer learning institutes, and annual conference.

Since 2020, Close Up and NNSP have worked together to serve over 600 middle school and high school students at more than 90 schools nationwide through ten distinct partnership programs. Looking ahead, Close Up and NNSP will continue to develop and deliver Impact student programs, curriculum, and professional development for educators.

As part of the merger, Kohn will remain executive director of NNSP and take on a new role as senior advisor at Close Up. Laura Day will remain a senior program consultant for Close Up and NNSP and continue to develop innovative curriculum and professional development for students and educators.