Seven school districts in Northwest Florida will receive grants from the Gulf Power Foundation, totaling $100,000 to support education efforts throughout the region.
For the Santa Rosa County School District, the Gulf Power grant will fund 15 different teacher grants ranging from artistic literacy to career/technical education and STEM education.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant,” said Cathy Purdon, executive director for the Santa Rosa Education Foundation. “Our Foundation will use the Gulf Power grant to provide innovative classroom projects that motivate students and increase achievement.”
The following education foundations or school districts were grant recipients in 2021:
- Santa Rosa Education Foundation — $15,000
- Okaloosa Education Foundation — $20,000
- Walton Education Foundation — $15,000
- Holmes/Washington/Jackson County school districts — $30,000
- Bay Education Foundation — $20,000
For Walton County, the 17 schools and more than 10,000 students will see this grant directly impact the classroom. The Walton County Foundation uses grants like this in their classroom grant program, distributing the funds to 53 classrooms in 2021-2022.
- “This money goes directly into helping our teachers help our students,” said MH Carr, executive director for the Walton Education Foundation. “The focus is on making a positive impact on the academic achievement of students in the Walton County School District.”
The grants will provide support for students in reading, career/technical education and STEM initiatives, with a focus increasing graduation rates.
“Gulf Power’s mission will always remain to support our communities and help it grow,” said Sandy Sims, executive director for the Gulf Power Foundation. “Our children’s education is one of the biggest areas we can help with in Northwest Florida. After all, a strong education helps build a strong community.”
