When a high school student in Palm Beach County admitted he couldn’t finish his assignments because he didn’t even have a pencil, his teacher quietly filled a bag at Red Apple Supplies, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County’s free teacher resource store. Armed with notebooks, paper, and pencils, the student began turning in work, and his grades climbed. A simple act of access changed the trajectory of his school year.
Across Florida, that story repeats itself thousands of times. Teachers in the state spend an average of $904 out of pocket each year on classroom materials, nearly 50% more than a decade ago, as inflation and budget cuts stretch schools thin. In low-income communities, where many students arrive without the basic tools to learn, teachers often shoulder the gap themselves.
To meet that need, 26 Consortium member education foundations operate Free Teacher Resource Stores that distribute millions of dollars in classroom supplies to tens of thousands of teachers annually. Stocked through local donations and supported by the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, these stores make it possible for educators to focus on instruction rather than personal spending.
The School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program is the nation’s only 1:1 match of private funds:state funds for K-12 initiatives led by local education foundations. Through the 2024–25 school year,
the State of Florida has appropriated nearly $82 million, leveraging $187 million in total investments with private-sector contributions. In 2024–25 alone, the program represented a $18.74 million statewide investment — $7 million in state funds matched by $12.1 million from private partners — supporting 109 projects across 60 school districts. These initiatives directly impacted 2,075,009 students and 103,851 teachers, reaching 99% of Florida’s K–12 public school students through participating local education foundations.
In Clay County, one teacher shared how a student experiencing homelessness started school weeks late — and received a full backpack of supplies from the local foundation’s store. “It meant he could walk into class ready to learn like everyone else,” she said.
For teachers like Todd Lykins of Starlight Cove Elementary, the difference is tangible: “Red Apple Supplies helps me most as a teacher by alleviating the need for spending out-of-pocket money to supply students with resources in the classroom.”
When every child has what they need to learn, teachers can do what they do best — teach. Thanks to the Florida Legislature’s support of the Matching Grant Program, foundations across the state are making that possible, one supply shelf at a time.
Great schools start with community support. Learn how your local foundation is changing lives — and how you can help by clicking HERE.
