Funds will support literacy, STEM, and Career and Technical Education classroom programs.

The Education Foundation of Lake County has awarded more than $13,000 in grant money to support 13 educator-submitted programs that potentially will impact 1,400 students.

The funding comes from a matching grant program with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Last fall, the Consortium designated more than $77,500 to the Education Foundation of Lake County to match monies raised from private donors. 

Earlier this year, Lake County Schools’ educators submitted grant requests. A committee made up of the Education Foundation of Lake County board members reviewed the requests and awarded the grants. 

Programs that will be funded include a 3D art system for Eustis Heights Elementary School students that integrates math and science as students create two- and three-dimensional artworks. 

Additionally, a Mount Dora Middle School teacher received funding for an online auditory comprehension skills program that will help improve standardized test performance for students whose listening comprehension skills are below grade level. 

The other Lake County Schools awarded grants are: 

Astatula Elementary

Beverly Shores Elementary

Cypress Ridge Elementary

Eustis Middle

Grassy Lake Elementary

Lake Minneola High 

Minneola Charter

Tavares High

Umatilla Elementary

More than 20 years ago, the Consortium and its members successfully advocated for the creation of legislative matching funds which has provided a dollar-for-dollar incentive for local education foundations to raise private contributions for eligible projects. 

“These grants allow Lake County educators greater flexibility in incorporating innovative learning tools to meet their students’ needs,” says Carmen Cullen-Batt, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Lake County. “We are especially grateful for the efforts of the Lake County legislative delegation which has been our voice in helping to ensure our district receives its share of the funding from the state legislature.” 

The foundation distributed $64,500 of the CFEF grant money in the latter part of 2020.