The Educational Foundation of Lake County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving as the direct support organization for the Lake County Public School District. It operates autonomously but collaborates closely with the district to enhance programs and services for K-12 teachers and students. Formed in 1988 and managed by a board of community leaders, it aims to support educational endeavors through funding from various sources including state matches, sales of license plates, grants, and donations.
The grant program of The Educational Foundation of Lake County focuses on providing direct support to students and the district each year, targeting specific needs in education. This support extends to teachers, students, classrooms, and school programs, covering equipment and initiatives for teacher leadership. Key programmatic funding priorities are career and technical education opportunities, improving graduation rates, enhancing literacy and financial literacy, supporting low-performing students, and promoting STEM initiatives. The foundation assesses funding applications based on criteria like potential impact on students, project longevity, availability of other funding sources, and measurable outcomes.