About Us
The Compound Foundation was founded in 2007 by Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith and his business partner Reynell “Tango” Hay to enhance the well-being of youth growing up in foster care and group homes. The Foundation’s goal is to support bright futures for young people by helping them to forge healthy relationships, pursue education and training, and realize their dreams.
What We Do
The Compound Foundation’s activities are designed to empower and inspire youth in foster care and group homes to become successful, productive and independent adults.
Grants. We award grants to high-performing non-profit organizations providing housing, family reunification, and support services to youth in foster care or group homes.
Scholarships. Our scholarship fund seeks to “level the playing field” for young people with a history of foster care and/or group home placement, by providing scholarships in support of a wide spectrum of educational needs and goals, from tutoring support and GED preparation, to vocational training and community college and/or university study at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Youth Enrichment. We organize events, mentoring and educational experiences to nurture kids’ creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. At our annual Future CEO Academy, teens learn business basics from successful entrepreneurs, participate in an elevator pitch contest, obtain internships to support their educational and professional goals, and receive college counseling.
Giving Tour. Our annual Giving Tour brings holiday cheer and gifts of toys, books and clothing to children ages 3-18 living in foster care and group homes. Each year the Tour visits four underserved cities selected based on the size of the foster/group home population and local needs.
Youth Center. We are working toward the goal of building a youth center in our home city of Atlanta, GA that will provide a stable and supportive environment for foster children, youth residing in group homes and young adults aging out of care. Services may include housing support, educational and vocational training, life skills training, health and wellness workshops, music, sports and entertainment activities.
