Polk Education Foundation

Keyword for this page: PEF

New Photo Gallery!

Click here to view the new photos from the 2011 Stepping Out for Education Event

PEF "Spotlight"

Recent donations net PEF $67,000!

Generosity from the community keeps the programs of the Polk Education Foundation running! Donations come to us from businesses, individuals and even civic organizations who want to help support education in Polk County. We’d like to spotlight a few of our recent donations to show examples of ways others in our community can help support local education.

Bank of America recently donated $5,000 to support our Take Stock in Children scholarship program and our Teacher to Teacher Connection classroom grant program. Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation ($2,000) and the Verizon Foundation ($15,000) recently donated funds to help support one-on-one reading tutoring being done in our AmeriCorps Polk Reads program. Progress Energy has sponsored science and math grants in their service area for many years, and this year’s $35,000 donation provided grants for energy education programs. Finally, the daughters of Earl & Elaine Stokes created a memorial scholarship in their honor to provide funding for GED tests and prep classes at the West and East Area Adult Schools. Thank you all for the support!

If you are interested in supporting a program of the PEF, or funding a new program to enhance public school education, please call Susan Copeland at 863-534-0434.

PEF Recent Donations

Just One for the Kids

Give “Just One for the Kids” and help the PEF raise money for student and teacher programs in Polk County. If every employee gave just one dollar per month, we could raise $144,000 towards helping promote education in our district! Click on the button above to make a donation!

View a Video about "Just One for the Kids"!

About Us

New! 2010-2011 Annual Report

The Polk Education Foundation was created in 1988, as a 501 C 3 direct-support organization for the Polk County School Board. The Foundation serves as the fiscal agent and manager of many educational programs for Polk County Schools. We serve to enhance educational programs for students with private and corporate funds. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of community, educational and business leaders, the Foundation has raised and spent over $26 million dollars.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Polk Education Foundation is to help enhance public school programs and to help students reach their educational goals.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Polk Education Foundation is to establish a proactive partnership
between the community and the public school system to link community resources with the
educational needs of its students through reading and mentoring programs, scholarships,
school grants and other educational endeavors.

Goals

Sensitize the community to the needs of local schools and students.
Publicize the accomplishments and programs of the school system.
Develop and enhance educational programs and initiatives for students.
Raise significant financial support for local schools and help to underwrite countywide programs for students.
Challenge parents, business leaders and the extended community to become involved in and be supportive of their local schools, their students and the district's education foundation.

Contact Information

Address: 1530 Shumate Drive, Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: (863) 534-0519

Staff Listing

All phone number area codes are (863)

Name:	Title:	Phone:
Susan Copeland	Executive Director	534-0434
Shirley Brosie	Accountant Specialist II	534-5073
Miranda Collins	Grants Manager, T2T Program Director	534-0803
Lou Ann Antonelli	Administrative Assistant	534-0519
Teresa Choquette	Take Stock in Children, Student Advocate	519-8076
Susan Fenich	Take Stock in Children, Program Coordinator	519-8077
Vicki Ginda	AmeriCorps Polk Reads, Program Director	519-8637

Visit our Staff Directory to contact any staff member via e-mail