One of my favorite moments from the 2026 ACT Summit came during a session led by Brian Eufinger, President of Edison Prep and a founding board member of the National Test Prep Association (NTPA), and Olivia Jones-Myers, President of Impact Tutoring Services and an NTPA member. Their presentation focused on low- and no-cost strategies schools can use to support ACT success, but one story stood out because of its simplicity, creativity, and community spirit.
The challenge was familiar: a rural school wanted students to have access to calculators for testing but didn't have the budget to purchase enough devices.
Instead of accepting the limitation, school leaders looked to an unexpected resource—their community.
The school reached out to local churches and asked a simple question: Would empty-nest families be willing to donate calculators sitting unused in drawers, closets, or home offices? The school only needed a handful of calculators to meet its immediate testing needs. The response far exceeded expectations. What started as a request for just a few calculators resulted in more than 100 being donated by families in the community.
While the calculators solved an immediate problem, the larger lesson is about removing barriers to opportunity.
Schools often face resource constraints when supporting college and career readiness initiatives. It's easy to assume that solutions require significant funding, grants, or large-scale programs. Sometimes they do. But sometimes the answer is simply finding a new way to engage people who want to help.
Many families are eager to support students. They just need to be asked.
This story is a reminder that communities often have untapped assets—whether it's calculators, volunteer time, professional expertise, mentoring opportunities, or financial support. When schools connect with local organizations, faith communities, businesses, and civic groups, they can uncover resources that might otherwise go unused.
For school counselors, this example offers an important takeaway: don't underestimate the power of a specific ask.
Rather than making a broad appeal for support, the school identified a clear need and provided a simple way for community members to contribute. The request was easy to understand, easy to fulfill, and directly connected to helping students succeed.
Whether you're looking for calculators, career speakers, internship opportunities, professional clothing for students, or scholarship support, the same principle applies.
Start with a specific need.
Ask your community.
You may be surprised by the response.
At ACT, we often talk about the importance of helping students see pathways to college, careers, and future success. Achieving that goal requires educators, families, employers, and community organizations working together.
The calculator story shared by Brian is a great example of what happens when a community rallies around student success. A simple request turned unused calculators into tools that could help students demonstrate their skills, access opportunities, and take an important step toward their future.
Sometimes the most effective solutions aren't the most expensive or complicated.
Sometimes they're sitting in a drawer, waiting for someone to ask.
(Of note…Both Brian and Olivia are ACT Affiliate Tutors. The ACT Affiliate Tutor network can be a fantastic place to turn for resources and ideas!)