The Frankie Lemmon Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was established to provide financial support to the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, the first preschool-kindergarten in Wake County specifically designed for children with special education needs.  The tuition-free developmental center has served children ages 3-6 who may have developmental delays, language impairments, learning disabilities or mental retardation since 1965.  The school’s highly trained teaching staff provides children with an individualized educational experience that places special emphasis on communication skills and personal independence.  

The school is located at Hayes Barton Baptist Church and currently serves 25 students. Children are enrolled at the school through a partnership between the Frankie Lemmon School and Wake County’s Public School’s Preschool Services. The school contracts with Wake County Schools to provide a special education setting less complex than a large school environment.

The Frankie Lemmon Foundation, through fundraising and “friend-raising” events, provides the school with the resources to offer the most specialized, therapeutic instruction for these children.  As a Wake County Public School resource, approximately 40 percent of the school services are paid by state funding for developmental day centers.  To provide the highest quality education at no cost to families, the Frankie Lemmon Foundation must account for other 60 percent each year.  The Foundation raises these funds from special events, sponsorships and donations from individuals and corporations.

Giving to the Frankie Lemmon Foundation allows children with special needs unprecedented opportunities.  One mother of a child with Down syndrome said, “the Frankie Lemmon School was an answer to our prayers and a blessing to our family. We thank you all for your efforts to sustain this special school. You have exceeded my expectations for opportunities and acceptance for my daughter."

To learn more about ways to support the Frankie Lemmon Foundation, please visit trianglewineexperience.org.  We welcome you to learn more about the children the Foundation serves at FrankieLemmonSchool.org.

Official Mission Statement:
The primary mission of the corporation is to provide financial support for the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, Inc.