MISSION
To enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic philanthropy.
VISION
Our vision is to unite the community to prepare each and every student for life.
DESCRIPTION
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County was established in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that champions public education in Sarasota County. For over 30 years, we have partnered with the Sarasota County Schools and community organizations to support students and teachers. Today, we annually serve nearly 44,000 students and over 5,000 instructional staff and support personnel in 55 public schools in the Sarasota County Schools district. With the addition of families, employers, and citizens who depend on an educated population, we serve many more thousands. We believe that education transforms lives, and we seek to unite the community to prepare each and every student for life.
SERVICES/PROGRAMS
STUDENTS
• At the heart of all our work is helping each and every student get ready for life and go further.
• LaunchPad4U is a place where we bring people together. It is the hub of our mentoring program, our Teacher Leadership Center, and PLANit Sarasota, a cross-sector group of education and youth services organizations and community partners focused on increasing the rate of students who obtain high-level diplomas or certifications after high school. This space reflects our commitment to students and teachers. Indeed, it reflects our vision of uniting the community to prepare each and every student for life. You can read more about LaunchPad4U
• As the backbone organization of PLANit Sarasota, an alliance for education and career planning, we convene community organizations, local businesses, and education partners to increase students’ college and career readiness. Over 60 partners strong, we create opportunities for students.
• Our Student Mentoring program pair high school students in Sarasota County Schools with a mentor who can help them pursue their dreams and reach their full potential. Our mentors will continue to provide advice and encouragement throughout their mentees’ college journey. After students and mentors are paired, we provide professional support to help ensure these relationships flourish.
• The annual STRIVE Award Celebration honors juniors and seniors in eight high schools in the Sarasota County Schools district. These extraordinary students have demonstrated resilience and grit to overcome challenges in school and their personal lives to make significant improvements in their strive for success. Seniors receive $1,000; juniors receive a $100 gift card.
• We keep alive students’ dreams of achieving a college education by providing access to a database of scholarships.
TEACHERS
• With Teacher Grants, teachers can get much needed supplies and innovative equipment – or support hands-on learning projects or a field trip. It doesn’t matter what subject you teach. We’d like to help you inspire students
• Education Roundtable Talks are a platform for teachers to learn, collaborate, discuss, reflect, and grow. Guest speakers will create dialogue and facilitate thought-provoking discussions around salient educational topics that matter to teachers.
• Teacher Ambassador Program aims to reach more teachers and engage with them directly. It gives teachers a voice so that we hear directly from them about the challenges they face and how we can best support them.
• At the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration, we announce the Sarasota County Teacher of the Year and highlight the many ways teachers inspire students and prepare them to succeed and lead meaningful lives. While there is only one Sarasota County Teacher of the Year recipient, the award process and the ceremony represent how deeply we appreciate all the hard work, compassion, and commitment of the thousands of teachers in Sarasota County Schools.
