Empowering Osceola County's Future: The Education Foundation's Impact

Founded in 1985, the Education Foundation of Osceola County emerged with a clear and ambitious vision: to provide scholarship opportunities for every graduating senior in Osceola County. From this initial goal, the Foundation has evolved into a dynamic organization dedicated to supporting students, teachers, and schools throughout the district. The Foundation's mission remains rooted in expanding educational opportunities and empowering every student to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom. Through innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and continued scholarship support, the Foundation works to remove barriers and invest in the future of Osceola’s youth. From that first dream of helping seniors reach college to now serving thousands through mentorship, literacy programs, free school supplies, scholarships, and career readiness initiatives, the Education Foundation continues to bring people and resources together to support and enhance public education in Osceola County.

A Legacy of Growth and Impact

The Education Foundation of Osceola County began with the intent to provide every graduating senior with a scholarship opportunity. What started as a simple yet powerful goal has grown into a dynamic organization dedicated to supporting students, teachers, and schools across the district. Today, the mission remains rooted in expanding educational opportunities and empowering every student to succeed-both in and out of the classroom. Through innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and continued scholarship support, the Foundation works to remove barriers and invest in the future of Osceola’s youth.

From the initial dream of helping seniors reach college to now serving thousands through mentorship, literacy programs, free school supplies, scholarships, and career readiness initiatives, the Education Foundation is proud to continue bringing people and resources together to support and enhance public education in Osceola County.

Core Programs and Initiatives

The Education Foundation of Osceola County is dedicated to supporting students, teachers, and families through a variety of programs. These initiatives are designed to address different needs within the community, from providing school supplies to offering mentorship and scholarships.

A Gift For Teaching

"A Gift For Teaching" is a free teacher supply store serving all public schools in Osceola County. This program ensures that teachers have access to the resources they need to create engaging and effective learning environments for their students.

Read also: Your Guide to Ocean County College

Bookmark Buddies

"Bookmark Buddies" is a literacy-based mentoring program that pairs mentors with third-grade students who need extra support to become successful readers and lifelong learners. Mentors meet with students for thirty minutes a week, providing one-on-one attention and encouragement.

Take Stock in Children

"Take Stock in Children" is a mentoring-scholarship program that provides low-income students with college scholarships, mentoring, and additional support. This comprehensive program aims to help students overcome barriers to higher education and achieve their full potential.

Scholarships

The Education Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors to enable them to pursue their educational and career goals. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students attending universities, state colleges, technical colleges, or vocational programs. In 2025, the Education Foundation and their generous donors awarded 600 scholarships totaling over $915,000.

Charter School

The Foundation's Charter Schools offer additional student stations to support the school district, providing a K-8 environment where student success is a priority.

Career Pipelines

"Career Pipelines" is a program designed to educate students about opportunities for high-wage, high-demand careers in the medical and construction industries. This initiative helps students explore potential career paths and prepares them for future success.

Read also: Working for Peach County Education

Got College? Initiative

The Education Foundation has partnered with Valencia College and the School District of Osceola County on the "Got College?" initiative to increase the college-going rate for Osceola County graduating high school seniors. This partnership has increased that rate in Osceola County by more than 36% since 2010! This initiative approached the hurdles with an actionable plan: dispatching college student ambassadors to local public schools; bringing all Osceola School District students to Valencia’s Osceola Campus for tours sponsored by the Celebration Foundation; and requesting that the University of Central Florida offer more majors at its regional campus at Valencia Osceola.

Community Engagement and Support

The Education Foundation relies on the support of the community to achieve its goals. There are many ways for individuals and organizations to get involved and contribute to the Foundation's mission.

Ways to Get Involved

The Education Foundation offers several avenues for community members to support their initiatives:

Lunch and Learn: Attend a Lunch and Learn session to learn more about each program and meet the staff.
Annual Mission Partner: Become an Annual Mission Partner to provide ongoing support.
Volunteer: Volunteer for one of the many programs or events.

Grant Funders: Partners in Progress

The Education Foundation has received Grant Funding from the following organizations to help continue serving the students of Osceola County:

2024-2025

School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
City of St. Cloud
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
Take Stock in Children
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners
TD Bank Charitable Foundation
School District of Osceola County
Publix Supermarket Charities
ReadingPals
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation
Westgate Resorts Foundation
Disney
Celebration Foundation
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Wells Fargo
Walmart
Orlando Magic Youth Foundation

2023-2024

School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
City of St. Cloud
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
Take Stock in Children
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners
TD Bank Charitable Foundation
School District of Osceola County
Duke Energy Foundation
Florida Lottery
Publix Supermarket Charities
ReadingPals
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation
Westgate Resort Foundation
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Celebration Foundation
UF Lastinger Center for Learning

2022-2023

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation
School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
City of St. Cloud
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
Take Stock in Children
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners
TD Bank Charitable Foundation
School District of Osceola County
Wells Fargo Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation
Vystar Credit Union
Orlando Magic Youth Foundation
DeVos Family Foundation
Florida Lottery
Publix Supermarket Charities

2021-2022

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation
School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
City of St. Cloud
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
Take Stock in Children
Osceola County Board of County Commissioners
TD Bank Charitable Foundation
School District of Osceola County
Wells Fargo Foundation
Duke Energy Foundation
Truist Foundation
Universal Orlando Foundation
Dollar General Literacy Foundation
Walmart
Publix Supermarket Charities

2020-2021

Westgate Resorts Foundation
School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program
City of St. Cloud

Scholarship Program

Each spring, The Education Foundation proudly awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue higher education at universities, state colleges, technical colleges or vocational programs. The Education Foundation invites those interested to contact their Scholarship Manager to learn more about how to make a lasting impact.

Read also: NOCCCD: Your Guide

Leadership and Structure

The Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by a 40-member board of directors. The board is made up of parents, corporate executives, community leaders, and elected officials.

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