ORIGINAL SIX FOUNDATION

The Original Six Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit organization, registered with the EIN number 45-3709610. It was founded by Nikki Haley to address educational disparities in South Carolina by providing resources and support to underserved communities.

Mission and Objectives

The organization's mission is to ensure that children across South Carolina have access to quality education, regardless of their place of birth or upbringing[2]. It seeks to bridge educational gaps by engaging with schools, teachers, and community members to identify needs and develop targeted solutions[1].

Programs and Initiatives

• O6 Afterschool Program: This initiative offers customized programming for students in grades two through eight, focusing on homework completion, study habits, STEM activities, team games, and socialization[3].
• My First Library: This program allows kindergarten students to select ten books to build their own home library, which helps mitigate the "summer slide" in literacy[3].
• The foundation also supports literacy initiatives and early learner programs to enhance educational outcomes in rural and underserved areas[3].

Governance and Leadership

As of late 2022, the foundation's board includes several notable members from diverse backgrounds, such as Nikki Haley, Mikee Johnson, and representatives from various businesses and educational institutions[2]. The board adheres to governance practices that include formal orientations, ethical standards, and performance assessments[2].

Founding and Inspiration

Nikki Haley established the Original Six Foundation in honor of her family. Her parents, Dr. Ajit Randhawa and Mrs. Raj Randhawa, who immigrated from India to the U.S. in 1969, raised four children in rural South Carolina. The foundation's name reflects their tight-knit family unit, often referred to as the "Original Six"[1]. Nikki Haley credits her parents with instilling a strong value on educational opportunities, which now drives the mission of the foundation[1].

[1] https://www.originalsixfoundation.org/ourstory [2] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/45-3709610 [3] https://www.originalsixfoundation.org [4] http://www.originalsixfoundation.com/foundations-mission/ [5] https://www.instagram.com/originalsixfoundation/