Grants and Other Services

School Matching Grant

Polk Education Foundation awarded $26,100 in School Matching Grants to 5 schools!

2025-2026 School Matching Grant funding received through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations as part of the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, is open to all public and charter schools in Polk County and requires schools to solicit and acquire new funds from private or community donors with the promise of a dollar-for-dollar match up to $5,000 per grant. What a great way to connect and engage community members with local schools.

Suncoast Credit Union Grant

Suncoast Credit Union is proud to invest in education in Polk County. In 2025-2026, the Suncoast Credit Union grant awarded seven grants to meet specific needs at the school site. Berkley Elementary focused on STEM activities. Kathleen Elementary installed a new book vending machine to help build home libraries and improve literacy. Discovery of Lake Alfred used funds to improve teacher quality. Davenport High School included activities studying the effects of microplastics in a Marine Biology class, providing additional hands-on activities, and more. Floral Avenue and Eagle Lake Elementary received funds to replenish books for their book vending machines. Thank you, Suncoast Credit Union!

Wells Fargo Financial Health Grant

2025-2026 Wells Fargo Financial Health Grant funded one $5,000 grant in Polk County through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF). The intention of the Wells Fargo grant was part of an initiative to fund financial health projects across the state. The grants from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations are part of a larger investment from Wells Fargo.

Polk’s program, ABC’s of Financial Literacy, educated students on the fundamentals of financial literacy while preparing them for life beyond high school. Financial literacy lessons as a foundational tool for long-term success. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively, students were encouraged to become more informed, confident, and proactive in navigating the financial responsibilities of higher education and adulthood. Students develop a solid financial understanding, upon which they can build their future. Thank you, Wells Fargo, for helping students grow in financial health.

Explore & Excel in Healthcare Career Pathways Grant

Polk Education Foundation received a grant for $33,750 as part of a three-year $1,200,000 grant through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations aimed at increasing student interest in healthcare careers and successful participation in high school healthcare career academies, particularly among students from underrepresented rural communities. Through the ‘Explore & Excel in Healthcare Career Pathways' program grant, Polk Education Foundation will help reduce barriers for students interested in the healthcare field, provide classroom materials/equipment, and fund transportation for students to participate career exploration activities. One of the main goals is to increase the number of students interested in entering the healthcare profession.

The Polk Education Foundation received a $101,250 grant as part of a three year, $1,200,000 initiative through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. This statewide effort aims to increase student interest in healthcare careers and strengthen participation in high school healthcare academies, with a special focus on students from underrepresented rural communities.

Through the Explore & Excel in Healthcare Career Pathways program, the Polk Education Foundation helps reduce barriers for students pursuing healthcare fields by providing classroom materials and equipment, supporting transportation for career exploration activities, and expanding access to hands on learning experiences. One of the program’s primary goals is to increase the number of students who choose to enter the healthcare profession.

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Florida Blue Foundation Healthy Communities Grant

Thank you, Florida Blue Foundation! The Polk Education Foundation received $10,000 through the Healthy Communities Grant Program, supporting both school-based food pantries and the AmeriCorps Polk Reads Program.

This funding allowed schools to apply for $500 grants to restock their food pantries, ensuring students have access to healthy resources outside of school hours. In addition, the Polk Reads Program provided free, in school tutoring for K–3 students who need extra support in reading.

We are grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for strengthening learning and making these opportunities possible for our students and schools.

Junior League of Greater Winter Haven

The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven Mini-Grants, offered through the Polk Education Foundation, provided $3,000 in funding to local educators. These grants help teachers bring special projects to life and purchase essential classroom materials that aren’t covered by school budgets. This investment in our teachers and classrooms was matched dollar-for-dollar through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.

Thank you to the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven for your continued commitment to supporting our teachers and students!

GiveWell Community Foundation

Thank you, Givewell Community Foundation! The Polk Education Foundation received funding to support Accessible Free Teacher Market Pop-Up locations. These pop-up opportunities help us better serve educators who are unable to visit the Free Teacher Market in Bartow due to extended travel distance. Your support ensures more teachers can access the classroom supplies they need to help students thrive.

Universal Orlando Foundation

Thank you, Universal Orlando Foundation, for investing $12,000 to support Cultivating Creativity in the Art Classroom! This initiative is rooted in the belief that art is inherently experiential, actively engaging students in creating, interpreting, and responding to artistic expression. Your support helps bring meaningful, hands-on art experiences to classrooms and inspires students to explore their creativity in deeper, more impactful ways.

AT&T

Thank you, AT&T! Through the AT&T Connected Learning initiative, AT&T invested $30,000 to help narrow the digital divide and ensure today’s learners have equitable opportunities to learn and thrive. This grant provides select graduating seniors with a laptop and digital literacy training to support their success as they transition into post-secondary education. We are grateful for your commitment to empowering students and strengthening their futures.

MOSAIC 

MOSAIC invested $12,000 in support of students and teachers. Thanks to their generous contribution, the Polk Education Foundation was able to fund classroom grants, provide supplies for students and teachers through the Free Teacher Market, support a student success initiative via the Soirée for Students, and celebrate outstanding educators and staff at the Inspire Awards.

Their investment is helping launch a STEM lending library that will enhance hands on STEM learning in classrooms across the district. We are incredibly grateful for MOSAIC’s continued partnership and commitment to education.