The Suncoast Schools Credit Union Foundation is partnering with the DeSoto County Education Foundation to offer two of $2,000 scholarship awards to high school graduates in the Class of 2021.  Class of 2021 high school graduates in Suncoast Credit Union’s 21-county service territory have the opportunity to apply for financial support to continue their education, thanks to a $116,000 investment in scholarships by the Tampa-based credit union’s Foundation.

Applications will be open January 1, 2021 and are available at the DCEF website https://desotoeducationfoundation.com/impact/scholarships/.

This year’s Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program represents a continued philosophy of the foundation to support education initiatives and the well-being and potential of children.  Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has contributed more than $30 million including more than $2.2 million in scholarships.  

“We believe the best way we can build better communities is by investing in education and health-related initiatives for children,” said Cindy Helton, Executive Director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.  “Through the Suncoast Credit Union Scholars program, we have the opportunity to invest in individual human potential, which is particularly rewarding.”  

About the DeSoto County Education Foundation:

The DeSoto County Education Foundation, Inc. (DCEF) is a local education foundation that acquires & distributes resources to DeSoto County schools. Through partnerships with local businesses and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, DCEF distributed over $37,000 in grant funds to teachers, schools, and academic clubs during the 2019-2020 school year.  Part of DCEF’s mission is to encourage staff excellence.  DCEF continues to host an annual recognition event for the Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year.  Last school year, winners received recognition and gifts made possible by local businesses and supporters. DCEF also provides direct support for student development.  DCEF managed over 30 scholarships for local donors and corporate sponsors last year.  For the Class of 2020, DCEF awarded $33,000 to graduating seniors.

About the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations:

The Consortium is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, the Consortium maximizes the individual and collective strength of Florida local education foundations to support local partners and schools.  The Consortium has 64 member foundations with 1,100 business and community leaders serving as volunteer board members.  Collectively, they raise nearly $83 million annually to support students, teachers and schools through a variety of programs. The Consortium has provided nearly $55 million to local education foundations since 2001 through various private- and public-sector partnerships, including the State of Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.