INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Education Foundation of Indian River County (EF-IRC) received a grant of $4,000 from the Bank of America Foundation to support the Sebastian River High School Automotive Academy.
The EF-IRC responded to a request for proposals in January 2013 from the Bank of America Foundation. There were three priority focus areas: community development, workforce development/education, and critical needs.
The EF-IRC’s grant proposal focused on educational opportunities to provide students training that will translate into post-secondary completion and employment.
The grant project is a collaborative effort to support the Automotive Academy. The funding will provide a new automotive lift and the purchase of a new vehicle. These tools will provide students hands on instruction.
This grant will enhance the curriculum content that will enable students to receive industry certifications. Through the EF-IRC’s involvement, additional dollars have been raised through AT&T, Toyota of Vero Beach, the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program (from the Florida legislature,) the Indian River Lawyers Auxiliary, and private donations.
The EF-IRC’s mission is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities for students and teachers. This is done by linking and engaging business and community leaders in the process of supporting education.
The prosperity of our county is dependent on making education the foundation for our community.
“The success of our schools hinges on the involvement of the community. We are so very fortunate to have leaders like the Bank of America Foundation to help us in this process. Real life applications in the classroom translate to the post-graduate success of our students,” explained Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams.
The EF-IRC is one of only ten education foundations in the state of Florida to serve both public and private school students. This unique structure, as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit, allows the organization to direct funding where it is needed most. This ensures educational opportunities for every Pre-K through 12th grade student in Indian River County.
To learn more about the EF-IRC and the many ways the organization supports students, teachers, and schools, please visit the website www.EdFoundationIRC.org, send an email to [email protected], or call (772) 564-0034.
