As an independent, non-profit community organization, the DeSoto County Education Foundation (DCEF) works in alignment with DeSoto County Schools to strengthen our schools, helping to ensure our children are solid learners with the knowledge and skills to be productive citizens now and in the future. We do this by partnering with local business and encouraging strong community involvement. We solicit and provide direct financial support from individuals, corporations and foundations to DeSoto County students and classrooms. This support is becoming more critical as local and state funds for public education continue to decrease.

Since its inception in 1997, more than $500,000 has been committed for projects in the form of grants to enhance educational activities, scholarships for deserving seniors, training assistance for staff, food and clothing for needy children, sponsor for Project Graduation and backing for family literacy. All of these programs are focused on the unique and vital opportunities to help enrich student learning.

The Board of Directors consists of fifteen members exclusively from DeSoto County who are committed to a quality education program for students in DeSoto County.

The DeSoto County Education Foundation (DCEF) is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization and is a member of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.