Our Story

For more than thirty years – through varied education environments, leadership changes at the local and state levels, and shifting education budget realities – our work is and always has been about students and teachers.

A Timeline of Impact

1984

Most of Florida’s local education foundations were started after 1984 legislation (F.S.S. 1001.453) allowing for one direct support organization (DSO) in each of Florida’s county-wide school districts to support and recognize K-12 students, teachers, and schools where budgets fall short and tax dollars don’t allow. Today, about half of local education foundations DSOs and others operate more autonomously, but all are the single recognized nonprofit aligned with their school district.

1992

The first formal meeting of the Consortium took place in 1992. Our Consortium was entirely volunteer-led for more than a decade, fostering peer-to-peer support for Florida’s emerging local education foundations.

1994

In 1994, the Consortium introduced the Support Education specialty tag with proceeds benefiting local education foundations. Since then, more than $14 million has been raised for education enhancement and additional out-of-state university tags have been added to those “driving learning” coast to coast.

2000

In 2000, the State of Florida provided initial funding for the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program with the Consortium as its administrator. It remains the nation’s only 1:1 match for K-12 initiatives led by local education foundations.

2004

It wasn’t until 2004 that the first full-time Executive Director was hired for the Consortium. Today, the Consortium has a staff of seven dedicated to building member capacity and managing grants and partnerships for local impact.

2018

Drawing upon 30 years of leading practices and national resources, the Consortium establishes Foundations for Excellence Quality Standards with a goal of supporting long-term strength and stability for members.

2022

In 2022, the Consortium received a groundbreaking award from the Florida Department of Education for “Resiliency Through the Community,” mobilizing American Rescue Plan funds to take a proactive approach to building resiliency skills in our students amid rising concerns in youth mental health and well-being through innovative, locally driven programs that align with Florida’s newly adopted character education standards.

That same year, the Consortium was selected to be a New Worlds Reading Initiative Regional Partner by the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning. Together with twenty-two members, the Consortium is helping increase enrollment in Florida’s free book delivery program for eligible families.

2024

Today, several regional, statewide and programmatic-focused partnerships are facilitated by the Consortium, encouraging education foundations to explore and expand their engagement with students and teachers.

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