Seventeen Years of Service: Celebrating Steve Rubenstein’s Vision and Leadership
Inspired by the urgent need for school supplies in local classrooms, Steve Rubenstein launched Crayons to Classrooms in 2008 with support from key community partners, including the Mathile Family Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, and Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV). The organization first opened its doors in January 2009 for a pilot program serving just eight Dayton area schools.
Under Rubenstein’s leadership, Crayons to Classrooms has grown to serve over 143 schools and childcare centers, distributing more than $40.9 million in supplies over the past 17 years. Each semester, more than 4,000 teachers are invited to shop for free supplies to support their students in need.
“Steve built something truly special—a place where educators feel supported and students are better equipped to succeed,” shares Rubenstein’s successor, Amy Kopp. “His legacy is one of heart, forward-thinking leadership, and a deep commitment to education.”
Rubenstein often speaks about the stark disparities between neighboring school districts in Dayton. On one side of the street, students arrive with backpacks full of brand-new supplies; just a few blocks away, families struggle to put food on the table—making school supplies a luxury they can’t afford. In these very classrooms, teachers step in to bridge the gap, often spending their own money to ensure every child has what they need to learn. This reality fueled Rubenstein’s passion to create a solution rooted in dignity, equity, and community support—for both educators and the students they serve.
Historic moments under Steve Rubenstein’s leadership:
2011 – Just two years in, Crayons to Classrooms reached their “Million Dollar Moment”, distributing over $1 million in supplies.
2016 – Relocated from Kuntz Road to the current Woodman Drive center and celebrated $10 million in distributed supplies.
2017 – Expanded to serve over 100 schools across the Miami Valley.
2019 – Received the BBB Eclipse Integrity Award for excellence in ethics, service, culture, and community impact.
2025 – Surpassed $40 million in school supplies distributed to under-resourced teachers and students across 7 counties.
As Crayons to Classrooms looks ahead, Rubenstein’s influence remains foundational. Through his guidance, the organization has grown into a steady and resilient resource—ready to adapt to changing needs while remaining rooted in its mission to support educators and empower students.
Steve Rubenstein didn’t just start a nonprofit—he sparked a movement in the Greater Dayton area, rooted in compassion, collaboration, and equity. As he passes the torch, his legacy lives on in every supply delivered, every teacher supported, and every student set up to succeed.
