Mission Statement
To make a positive impact on the lives of children.
About the Pia Family
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” ~ Nelson Mandela
Michael and Nancy are life-long residents of Chester County, a community they both treasure. They have four children: Kristin Hayman, Lisa Reed, Amy Clark and Michael W. Pia; and seven grandchildren. Prior to his retirement in 2020, Michael worked his entire career in the family’s mushroom farming business, South Mill Champs, which has grown to be the 3rd largest mushroom producer in North America. Nancy is an educator, having taught in both local and urban schools, an artist, and published author.
In 2002, the Pias established the Michael & Nancy Pia Foundation in order to formalize their charitable giving. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children, and supports organizations and programs focused in those areas.
Nancy’s background in education is the catalyst for numerous education-based initiatives, most notably the Montessori School at the Kennett Square YMCA. In 2018, Nancy began bringing mindfulness programs into local schools, impacting more than 1,500 students, teachers and staff within the first 12 months.
In 2018, Michael and Nancy established the Michael & Nancy Pia Foundation Fund through the Chester County Community Foundation to expand their reach. The Fund is focused on three specific areas relating to children and families: (1) homelessness and food insecurity; (2) health and well-being; and, (3) education.
Nancy and Mike Pia support the Nemours Foundation. See attached press release from September 2020.