Brevard Schools Foundation Receives $165,576 Grant That Benefits Students and Teachers

Grant encourages STEM and career/technical education and improves literacy

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard Schools Foundation has been awarded $165,576.79 in matching funds through the State of Florida’s School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, administered through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

The program provides a dollar-for-dollar match from the State of Florida to enhance locally funded education initiatives that directly benefit students and teachers in Brevard Public Schools.

Through this year’s funding, Brevard Schools Foundation will continue its commitment to advancing educational excellence through two key initiatives:

• Discovering Brevard Study Trips, which connect classroom learning with real-world experiences for 5th, 6th, and 8th graders through immersive visits to the Kennedy Space Center, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex. These experiences promote STEM engagement, arts appreciation, and civic awareness while expanding educational equity for Title I students.

• Teacher Quality Initiatives, which focus on teacher engagement, leadership, and retention through Bright Ideas Classroom Grants, the Teacher Leadership Council Fellowship, the Teacher of the Year programs, and the Supply Zone for Teachers. Together, these programs strengthen classroom innovation and empower educators with the resources they need to inspire student success.

“This grant exemplifies the power of collaboration between state leadership, local donors, and education foundations,” said Janice Kershaw, President/CEO, Brevard Schools Foundation.

“Working together, we can innovate learning experiences and ensure teachers and students have the resources to succeed.”

The Consortium has received legislative matching funds for more than 20 years, providing a dollar-for-dollar incentive for local education foundations to raise private contributions for eligible programs.

Since the inception of the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program, more than $173 million in combined private and state dollars has supported local projects that serve students, encourage STEM and career/technical education, improve literacy, enhance teaching quality, and increase student resiliency and graduation rates.

During the past year alone, the program received $17.5 million in total statewide investment, with $7 million in state allocation matched by more than $10 million in private-sector contributions.

A total of 60 school district education foundations participated, funding 109 local projects that served 99% of Florida’s K–12 public school students.

The impact of the Matching Grant is evident in Brevard classrooms, where teachers recognize how this support strengthens instruction, fosters creativity, and removes barriers to student success.

“Our students benefit tremendously from the Brevard Symphony Orchestra’s Children’s Concert. They learn about classical music, instrument families, and the vital role of the arts in society,” shared Ryan Ross, 2024-2025 Music Specialist at Apollo Elementary School.

“The BSO concert guide reinforces our music standards in a dynamic and engaging way, and students are always thrilled to recognize pieces they studied in class performed live on stage.”

“The Supply Zone has been an invaluable resource for our students,” said Heather Dora-Kelly, Teacher at Mims Elementary School.

“Students are so excited to receive new notebooks, scissors, pencils, and crayons—and they feel confident knowing we always have what they need. Having these supplies readily available relieves stress for families and ensures every child can focus on learning instead of worrying about classroom essentials.”

For more information about Brevard Schools Foundation and how you can support students and educators, please visit Brevardschoolsfoundation.org.

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