The Consortium of Florida Education Foundation (CFEF), in conjunction with the State of Florida Department of Education, recently awarded St. Johns County Education Foundation $48,578 in matching funds through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. Through the collaborative effort of its members, CFEF successfully advocated for the creation of legislative matching funds in 2000, which has provided a dollar-for-dollar incentive for local education foundations to raise private contributions for eligible projects. “I’ve seen the impact of the Matching grant program first hand in Manatee County where I live, and I am happy to help expand this program statewide to benefit other local education foundations and the students they serve,” said Sen. Bill Galvano. Florida is a national leader in this matching grant program for K-12 education with $25.3 Million in matching funds provided to date. The program encourages further engagement by local education foundation board members as they work with school system leaders to develop innovative programs that are responsive to local student achievement needs. CFEF is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, CFEF seeks to advance student achievement in Florida by increasing private sector investment and involvement in public education. CFEF now has 59 member foundations with 1,100 business and community leaders serving as volunteer board members. Collectively, they raise more than $50 Million annually to support students, teachers and schools through a variety of programs. CFEF has provided more than $20 Million to local education foundations since 2002 through various private and public sector partnerships, including the State of Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. The St. Johns County Education Foundation is recognized as the direct support organization for the St. Johns County School District. The SJCEF leads efforts to provide funding opportunities, support initiatives that enhance public education and recognize and inspire teachers and students within St. Johns County. Source: Education News