Manatee Education Foundation

09/03/2026

So grateful for our community 💛

Carl Reynolds Law's Day of Giving raised an incredible $29,000 to support School District of Manatee County teachers and students, and we we’re overwhelmed by your generosity!

Huge thanks to Carl Reynolds Law and ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB for championing our schools, and to our amazing community for showing up for our students.

When we all give a little, our students gain a lot.

Thank you for supporting Manatee County education!

09/01/2026

September is Attendance Awareness Month!

Together with Leader in Me, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations is hosting a statewide Student Art & PSA Contest! 🎨

From Sept. 1–30, Florida students in grades K-12 can get creative and show us what makes coming to school worth it.

Through original artwork or a short public service announcement, students can share how showing up helps them reach their goals, build confidence, connect with friends and teachers, explore their interests, and make a difference in their school or community.

🏆 Winners and runner-ups will be awarded prizes and recognized statewide!

See more: https://bit.ly/26ATTEND

08/31/2026

📣 Applications for Teacher Impact Grants are open!

Not sure which grant level fits your project? Here's the breakdown:

✏️ The Creator (Up to $250): Perfect for small class projects, filling your classroom library, stocking up on consumables, or filling the gaps with tools to enhance your curriculum.

💡 The Innovator (Up to $500): Take your lesson plans to the next level. If you have an idea for an innovative project you just can't do without extra supplies, this one's for you.

🤝 The Collaborator (Up to $1,000): Bring your colleagues together and bring an idea to life. Designed to fund an innovative project for multiple teachers working as a team. (Minimum of 2 teachers to apply.)

Whatever the size of your idea, there's a grant for it.

Apply by Sept. 30: https://mefinfo.org/educators-schools/

08/28/2026

Feeling so grateful! 🌟

Today we were proud to be among the finalists for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s 46th Annual Small Business & Non-Profit of the Year Awards. Being in the room alongside so many incredible organizations doing meaningful work across our community is an honor.

Congratulations to today's non-profit winners, Manatee River Fair Association (Manatee County Fair) and United Way Suncoast, and to all the finalists. You inspire us! This community is stronger because of the non-profits working every day to lift up our students, families, and neighbors.

We're grateful for the recognition and even more grateful for everyone who supports MEF's mission every day. Give a little, change a lot. 💛

08/28/2026

📚 Sometimes, impact starts with stacks of books, busy hands, and a team prepping resources for students.

We recently sorted and prepared hundreds of books that will soon be distributed to schools throughout the School District of Manatee County.

But these aren’t just books. They’re stories designed to help students build the skills they need to navigate challenges and grow into resilient individuals. From perseverance and responsible decision-making to gratitude and courage, each story offers an opportunity to learn and grow.

We’re grateful to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations for making this initiative possible and helping bring these valuable resources to students across our community.

This is what impact in the making looks like: preparing resources today that can help students build resilience for tomorrow. 📖❤️

08/26/2026

Proud to support this incredible event! The School District of Manatee County knocked it out of the park, and we're grateful for community partners who step up to the plate for teachers and students. ⚾️

08/22/2026

The first-ever MEF Memo has landed! 📬✨

Get the inside scoop on Teacher IMPACT Grant dates, upcoming events, and everything MEF is doing for Manatee County students and teachers.

Subscribe now so you never miss an update 👉 https://mailchi.mp/05b0ee8da6f9/subscribe

Welcome back, Manatee County students, educators, and staff! Whether this is your first year in the classroom or your twentieth, we're glad you're here.

08/21/2026

New school year, new board chair! 🍎

We're thrilled to welcome our incoming Board Chair TJ Kornett of Hancock Whitney Bank, and we extend our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Board Chair Brando Fetzek of NDC Construction Company for his dedicated service and leadership. Thank you for everything you've done for MEF and Manatee County students, Brando! 🙏

As we start this new school year, we're grateful for our board's continued guidance, and we welcome new partnerships to support Manatee County students and teachers. Check out our Partnership & Impact Guide to see how you can get involved: https://mefinfo.org/sponsor/

And a huge thank-you to Sugar Me Sweets for the delicious cookies celebrating our newest partnership level, Friends of the Foundation! 🍪 It's partnerships like these that remind us when we all give a little, our students gain a lot.

08/20/2026

📣 Stay connected with the Manatee Education Foundation! Subscribe to the MEF Memo for quarterly updates on our impact in Manatee County public schools, plus grants, scholarships, events, and ways to get involved.

Sign up at mefinfo.org or subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/05b0ee8da6f9/subscribe

08/15/2026

🔈Applications for the 2026-2027 Teacher Impact Grants are now open!

From supply needs to collaborative projects, Teacher IMPACT Grants support our educators who bring learning to life for their students.

📝 Apply by September 30: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=mef