The Foundation’s Strategic Plan was successfully refined and expanded to carry the organization through 2025, and the areas in which investments and philanthropic support will be sought—our priorities—were formalized. The Philanthropic Strategic Plan, the previous 18-month strategic plan of the Foundation, and traditional areas for Foundation support are incorporated into this expanded Plan. The task force presented the updated plan to the full Foundation board in March 2020, where it received unanimous approval.
Our philanthropic priorities are:
- Ensure Learning Readiness: support early childhood education, mental and physical health and wellness, and behavioral improvements
- Invest in Teachers & Staff: provide professional development, impact and innovation grants, and investments in teacher excellence and retention
- Accelerate Student Success: focus on literacy, access to STEM, access to arts, and efforts that narrow achievement gaps
- Promote Success After OCPS: support career and college readiness efforts, scholarships, mentoring and alumni programs
- Drive Community Collaborations: build meaningful relationships and partnerships with OCPS and the community, including serving as a communication hub
Key Performance Indicators have been identified for tracking and reporting to the Foundation board. Fundraising goals have also been set; incremental annual targets have been determined to ensure achievement of those goals.
The Foundation’s 28-member board of directors is committed to public education and brings both breadth and depth in knowledge and skills from the business community and education sector. The board confers transparency, accountability and business acumen to the Foundation, which impacts the education programs and initiatives it seeks to support and gives donors confidence in their investments.
