Program areas at Hillsborough Education Foundation
Our Teaching Tools program provides critical school supplies and classroom resources year-round to teachers in Title 1 schools. Teaching Tools is a real brick and mortar store primarily stocked through donations of school supplies from individuals and businesses where teachers shop for free school supplies to distribute to their students in need. With the help of volunteers who gave 5,293 hours, Teaching Tools served 176 schools and provided resources to more than 2,600 teachers in 2022-23.
Through school and classroom enrichment grants the foundation provides funding for schools and teachers to increase their capacity to deliver effective and innovative instructional strategies that enhance and expand learning. The foundation awarded 172 grants to support STEAM, literacy, English language arts and other educational areas impacting over 31,000 students at 90 schools in 2022-23.
As an affiliate of the statewide Take Stock in Children program, students at or below poverty level along with other risk factors are provided a mentor, college success coach and the commitment of a college scholarship. During 2022-23, 321 students participated in the Take Stock program. For the 2023 senior class, 85 students in the mentoring program graduated and earned their scholarship. The foundation also awards community scholarships to students. For FY32, 253 students were awarded a community scholarship.
- The foundation's Digital Equity Initiative closes opportunity gaps and increases equity in education for students by providing technology resources and digital literacy skills training. In 2022-23, 721 students were served through the program.- Hillsborough Education Foundation believes effective teachers are foundational to student success and invest resources supporting teachers through professional development opportunities, education scholarships and a recognition program. The foundation funded professional development opportunities for 1,600+ teachers. - Hillsborough Education Foundation launched an inaugural College & Career Center at one local high school in 2022-23 to provide coaching and postsecondary planning support for students. The center coordinated college admission sessions, FAFSA workshops, and career exploration workshops for welding, real estate, culinary, and medical laboratory career fields. In its first year, the center impacted over 550 students and the foundation has plans to expand the number of centers to other high schools in future years.
The foundation puts resources and programming around helping students prepare for the workforce. Resources range from internship programs to student financial assistance for trade tools or participation in activities that expand their knowledge of possible career paths.