PINELLAS COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC

Programs

1. Our take stock in children (tsic) program is a long-term initiative that pairs low-income students with caring mentors, college success coaches and gives them a commitment of a college scholarship. Students enter the program between the grades of 6-9 and we continue to support them through their high school graduation. Students must maintain at least a 'c' average in all classes, meet regularly with their mentor, remain drug and crime-free, attend college success planning meetings, and graduate from high school. We provide resources and support from the time students enter the program through their postsecondary attainment, serving approximately 1,100 students annually. Since its inception, tsic has maintained a high school graduation rate of 96% or higher. In the 24-25 school year, tsic had a 99% graduation rate.

   $3,007,570 spentof which $2,224,294 as grants
   33% of program spending

2. Other programs and district support: we host events like the evening of excellence, our annual teacher of the year celebration, and walker's rising stars scholarship program, a competition honoring the district's top student performers in the arts, including visual and culinary artists.

   $2,976,622 spentof which $1,713,512 as grants
   33% of program spending

3. We awarded over 200 scholarships entrusted to us by the community to award graduating high school seniors. These scholarships vary in amount based on the criteria set by donors who fund them, who may focus on specific majors, volunteer hours, academic achievements, sports, or financial needs. Students apply for these scholarships through our website, where a single application is processed for all scholarships that the student meets the criteria. Scholarships can be either one-time awards or renewable for students who continue to meet qualifications throughout their post-secondary education. Students must be enrolled as seniors in pinellas county schools, and these scholarships are separate from our take stock in children mentoring program scholarships.

   $964,131 spentof which $898,312 as grants
   11% of program spending

4. Curriculum enrichments:we enrich the learning experience of students and teachers by awarding grants that fund innovative classroom projects beyond the standard curriculum, hands on learning opportunities that increase learning as well as foster and develop essential life skills.one of our signature initiatives, enterprise village, helps fifth-grade students develop basic economic concepts and understand the process between businesses and consumers. During a one-day field trip, students can work in one of 20+ professions, take breaks, receive paychecks and make purchases. Every fifth-grade student in pinellas county schools visits enterprise village. Finance park is a similar reality-based program designed to teach personal financial management and introduce monetary decision-making. Every eighth-grade student in pinellas county schools visits finance park.

   $818,871 spentof which $511,263 as grants
   9% of program spending

5. We strategically focus on literacy achievement because research consistently shows that reading at grade level by third grade is a strong predictor of a student's long-term academic success, laying a solid foundation for their entire educational journey. We have two key programs committed to improving literacy outcomes: the pinellas early literacy initiative (peli) and closing the gap. Peli focuses on increasing professional development and coaching for pre-k through 2nd-grade teachers. Now entering its fifth year in our school district, peli aims to increase the number of students reading at grade level by third grade through targeted professional development and coaching. Since the start of this program, 94% of participating peli schools had significant gains in english language arts proficiency. This past year, 350 teachers participated in professional development focused on literacy and improving instructional strategies. Closing the gap addresses the gender achievement gap in literacy without our schools. This initiative provides professional development for teachers and administrators, equipping them with research-based practices to help male students improve their focus and…

   $763,868 spentof which $657,695 as grants
   8% of program spending

6. College and career readiness:we strategically invest in programs that prepare students for post-secondary education or equip them with the skills they need to enter the workforce. College and career centers are located in every high school in pinellas county and serve as support hubs for students and families to provide individualized and targeted assistance to navigate the college admissions process. This includes career exploration, college exploration, application submission, sat/act preparation, college fairs and events, and financial and scholarship planning.

   $469,966 spentof which $388,938 as grants
   5% of program spending

The 6 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $9,001,028.