Carlisle Area Dollars for Schools was founded in 1998 by Alan and Melinda Huisinga who worked with local leaders, and the Iowa affiliate of Scholarship America, to establish a Carlisle area chapter. The chapter is often referred to as the PEACH chapter in representation of the Palmyra, Easter Lake, Avon, Carlisle, and Hartford areas served by the Carlisle Community School District.

After creating a board of community spirited members, the Huisinga's established the chapter's first endowment scholarship in memory of their son Chad. Since the first scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors in May 1999, the Carlisle Area Dollars for Scholars board has annually provided scholarships to eligible Carlisle High School graduates to help with the cost of pursuing a higher education.