Advocacy Resources for Members
Days at the Capitol
The Consortium and its members regularly meet with local, state, and national representatives to share how education foundations are connecting communities to classrooms, making a difference in the lives of students and teachers, and having statewide reach with local impact.
We convene education foundation leaders and staff annually in Tallahassee for our “Days at the Capitol” to advocate for the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.
Advocacy Resources
Back in their home districts, education foundations build relationships with local leaders, state legislators, and candidates through site visits to see programmatic work in action and local events.
Every year, the legislative session starts in either January (even years) or March (odd years). Committee weeks lead into session and are a great way to get to know newly elected legislators and visit with key leaders in the House and Senate.
Learn more about your local legislators, and access key information to get involved in the process here:
After each legislative session, we host a recap with our partners at the Florida Philanthropic Network covering major education legislation, budget priorities, and the impact on students, teachers, and schools.
Four Steps to Being ‘In the Know’ and Getting Involved
While we are an apolitical organization that does not endorse candidates, we believe in encouraging citizens to be informed and engage on the education issues they care about.
While education foundations are not permitted to endorse candidates or make contributions to elections, Florida Nonprofit Alliance notes a nonprofit’s right to perform voter education, attend candidate events, share policy or research with candidates, and more.
We encourage you to empower yourself and get educated! Watch your local school board meetings and workshops, visit the Florida Channel to catch committee meetings during the legislative session, and watch the State Board of Education meetings by checking their dates/times and visiting the Florida Channel.
2. Engage local, state, and national representatives
*Click here to see key leaders in the House who have a direct say in K-12 education issues
Speaker of the House, Paul Renner (R-Flagler, St. Johns)
Speaker Pro Temp, Chuck Clemons (R-Gilchrist, Levy, Alachua)
Chair Tom Leek, Appropriations Committee (R-Volusia)
Vice-Chair Lawrence McClure, Appropriations Committee (R-Hillsborough, Pinellas)
Democratic Ranking Member Fentrice Driskell, Appropriations Committee (D-Hillsborough)
Chair Josie Tomkow, PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee (R-Polk)
Vice Chair Peggy Gossett-Seidman, PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee (R-Palm Beach)
Democratic Ranking Member Patricia Williams, PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee (D-Broward)
Chair Ralph Massullo, Education and Employment Committee (R-Citrus, Marion)
Vice-Chair Melony Bell, Education and Employment Committee (R-Polk)
Democratic Ranking Member Patricia Williams, Education and Employment Committee (D-Broward)
Chair Dana Trabulsy, Education Quality Subcommittee (R-St. Lucie)
Vice-Chair John Temple, Education Quality Subcommittee (R-Sumter, Hernando)
Democratic Ranking Member Benjamin Christoper, Education Quality Subcommittee (D-Miami-Dade)
*Click here to see key leaders in the Senate who have a direct say in K-12 education issues
Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo (R-Collier, Hendry, Lee)
Senate President Pro Tempore, Dennis Baxley (R-Lake, Orange)
Chair Doug Broxson, Appropriations Committee (R-Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa)
Vice-Chair Darryl Rouson, Appropriations Committee (D-Hillsborough, Pinellas)
Chair Keith Perry, Appropriations Committee on Education (R-Levy, Marion, Alachua)
Vice-Chair Shevrin Jons, Appropriations Committee on Education (D-Miami-Dade_
Chair Corey Simon, Education Pre-K-12 Committee (R-Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla)
Vice-Chair Danny Burgess, Education Pre-K-12 Committee (R-Hillsborough, Pasco)
