Mission Statement:  The mission of the Education Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities for all students and teachers, in both public and private schools, through the effective fundraising and efficient allocation of resources.

Board of Directors:

Executive Committee:
President - Sue M. Tompkins, CPA & Vice President, Merrill Lynch
Past President - Dan Bockhorst, Asset Resolution Group  Florida, RBC Bank
President-Elect - John J.  Campione, Campione & Campione, P.A.
Treasurer - Lynn Hall, Northwestern Mutual
Secretary - Patricia Stowe, Indian River Medical Foundation and Member at Large 

Stewadship Chair and Member at Large - Bill Furr

Board Members:
Johnny C. Benjamin, M.D.
Debbie Biedenharn
Greg Brown
Charles Croom

Patricia Donovan
Kris Gault
Gail Kinney
Judy Malone
Lee Moore
vinny Olmstead
Jose Prieto
Adrian J.R. Smith
Darren Sylvia
Jennifer Taylor
Ann Tharpe

Highlights of Foundation Programs:

The School Supply Fund

Founded in 1995 to serve Pre-K through Kindergarten teachers.  The program now serves teachers from Pre-K up to 6th grade.  Eventually the Foundation hopes to secure funding to serve all teachers through 12th grade.  Seven hundred teachers receive $50 gift cards from Staples to purchase classroom supplies.  A monthly report from Staples tracks all purchases and insures accountability.

In the fall of 2007 the program expanded to provide back packs to children in need.  The first year 708 were distributed.  In August of 2008 more than 1,700 were distributed to children in need.   The program has also expanded to provide physical educaiton and school uniforms to public school students.
 

The Sneaker Exchange Program

Providing students in need with clean socks and shoes to participate in all school acitivites with increased confidence and self-esteem.  Founded by the Junior League of Indian River County in 1993, the program became the stand-alone program of the Foundation in 2002.  Since that time the Foundation has expanded the program to serve all public schools in Indian River County.  Children are referred by school administrators and counselors using the Free and Reduced Lunch report as a guide to identify children in need.  More than 2,000 students are served annually by this privately funded program.

Building Libraries
This program is presented in partnership with the Saint Edward's School (SES).  Each year the students of SES hold a book drive.  The books are then sorted by grade level.  Area teachers and librarians are then invited to select free books to start or expand a classroom library.  More than 6,000 books are distributed annually each September. 

Great Ideas! Grant Program

This innovative program was created to fund creative curriculum related classroom projects.  These highly competitive grants have a built in component which requires measurable outcomes and evaluations.  Specifically, teachers must show how low performing students have been impacted by these grants.  Grants are available to any teacher in Indian River County if their proposal directly involves students K-12^th grade.  Last year 10 grants were awarded totaling over $17,000.  This year over $35,000 will be awarded.  The application process begins September 15^th – October 31^st.  This program is supported by: Bank of America, Citigroup, the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and the Department of Education.

SThe Indian River  Regional Science & Engineering Fair Program
Encouraging curiosity and creative thinking through the application of the scientific method.  More than $650,000 in scholarships and academic awards are awarded at the county fair.  Three outreach programs help to educate students, parents and teachers:  Jump Start, Observation Station and Exploration Station.  More than 10,000 students compete in school based fairs prior to competing at the regional fair each January.

Teacher Development Workshops and Initiatives

The Education Foundation partners with the School District of Indian River County to present the "First Days of School New Teacher Orientation."  This program provides training, mentorship and support for teachers who have been teaching for less than three years.  In addition, the Foundation provides and sponsors additional workshops to support and retain teachers.

"Be There" Campaign

The Foundation in partnership with the School District of Indian River County has sponsored a parent education campaign call, "Be There."  This program is a national movement based in Sarasota that is designed to motivate parents to be involved in their child's education on campus and at home.  The whole premise is to encourage and remind parents to take advantage of the teachable moments.  Brochures and posters explain the importance of parental involvement in a child's education.  Campaign materials also advocate the importance of little things:   making eye contact, asking questions and including children in daily routines.

Updated: 6/15/09