From preschool to post-secondary, education is one of the most important aspects of a one’s life. During childhood, education helps students grow as individuals, develop their personalities, and become more confident in themselves. With higher education, students learn the necessary skills to become self-sufficient, develop critical thinking skills, and develop a sense of community.
With school back in session, education is at the forefront of many minds, including philanthropy. Every year, education is near the top of charitable subsectors in receiving donations. Charitable giving significantly improves the accessibility and quality of education. In 2024, charitable giving to education rose to more than $58 billion in the United States.
Financial donations enable nonprofit organizations and schools to offer scholarships to students who might not be able to afford education otherwise and provide essential resources such as textbooks, school supplies, lab equipment, and technology necessary for today’s learning.
In addition to these areas of support, here are additional ideas to inspire a deeper discussion about ways to support educational efforts:
Explore options for expanding student support
In many cases, donors set up a scholarship or support a particular educational institution. There is nothing wrong with this approach, but the opportunity to fill gaps in student need may be missing. This was the case in 2017 when an anonymous local donor recognized the need for mental health services for young children. This prompted the creation of the Mental Wellness Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida and since its creation, thousands of children and their families have been served in Alachua County elementary schools. By providing critical services at a young age, children have been able to thrive and excel in the classroom.
Investigate opportunities to improve the quality of education itself
Many donors are concerned that high school graduates are ill-prepared for post-secondary education, whether that’s a traditional four-year college, community college, or trade school. Both the Community Foundation and the Education Foundation of Alachua County can help address this gap with charitable dollars. For example, a fund to support teachers, which in turn helps improve student success. Indeed, teachers are often considered the single most important in-school factor for student success. Charitable funding that enhances teacher training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development creates ripple effects across classrooms and generations of students.
Find your education “niche”
By establishing a field-of-interest fund at the Community Foundation, our team can help identify specific parameters within education to fund. Many donors are interested in supporting local grassroots programs offering tutoring and mentorship while others may want to direct charitable
dollars to quality early childhood programs, which have been shown to yield high returns on investments in education. The Foundation can help identify an area of focus. Our team leverages the Foundation’s deep knowledge and research to identify high-impact opportunities, helping to make the greatest difference in our community.
Become a mentor
Research has proved relationships play a power role in the development and success in youth. Young people need stable and caring relations with adults in order to thrive. Mentors can play a major role by providing this crucial support. Mentoring helps meet the basic human need of letting young people know they matter and are not alone. There are several local organizations that provide mentoring to all ages and most are always in need of adult mentors. To learn more, visit www.thephilanthropyhub.org to search local organizations that provide mentors.
As students head back to school and education is top of mind, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida is here to make sure your giving is impactful, focused, and in line with your philanthropic goals. To learn more, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.cfncf.org.
Barzella Papa has served as the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Central Florida for 19 years. During her tenure, she has raised more than $100 million in support of local efforts. She holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and a Certified Fund Raising Executive designation.
Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of philanthropy columns sponsored by Community Foundation of North Central Florida.