A Transformational Year for Take Stock in Children Polk County: Expanded Scholarships, Milestones, and Unprecedented Student Success
May 27, 2026 The 2025–2026 school year was momentous for Take Stock in Children Polk County, a Polk Education Foundation program, marked by a 100 percent graduation rate, major scholarship announcements for seniors, and the Scholarship Scramble surpassing $1 million raised in its 23-year history. With 129 students supported through nearly 1,000 hours of mentoring and a wide range of enrichment and community-driven opportunities, the program advanced its mission in meaningful ways. Last year began with a
Polk Education Foundation Awarded $80,000 from the Mabel Schaefer Legacy Grant through GiveWell Community Foundation to Expand AmeriCorps Polk Reads Literacy Initiative
Polk Education Foundation has been awarded an $80,000 grant from GiveWell Community Foundation in honor of Mabel Schaefer’s legacy. This investment will allow the Polk Education Foundation AmeriCorps Polk Reads program to pilot Building Blocks Literacy: an expansion beyond its traditional Polk County Public Schools kindergarten through 3rd-grade focus that will begin serving 4th - and 5th -grade students over the next two years. This pilot will help determine how well upper-elementary students
SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION INVESTS $50,000 IN POLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT SUCCESS
The Polk Education Foundation received a generous $50,000 investment from Suncoast Credit Union, strengthening multiple programs and initiatives that directly support students, teachers, and schools across Polk County. Suncoast Credit Union awarded a major gift of $25,000 to purchase much-needed school supplies for the Free Teacher Market, helping Erase the Need for students and classrooms. Teachers shop the resource store at no cost and fill an orange Suncoast Credit Union tote with supplies that
