Education Foundation of Palm Beach County Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $200,000 (classroom grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000
• Geographic Focus: Palm Beach County, FL (School District only)

Contact Details

Website: www.educationfoundationpbc.org

Email:

• General: info@educationfoundationpbc.org
• Programs: programs@educationfoundationpbc.org

Phone: (561) 738-2931

Physical Address: 7071 Garden Road, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Online Application Portal: apply.educationfoundationpbc.org

Overview

Established in 1984 by Palm Beach County business leaders, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County serves as the philanthropic support organization for K-12 public education, partnering exclusively with the School District of Palm Beach County—the 10th largest school district in the nation. The foundation acts as a bridge connecting the public school system, private sector, and community to fund programs that close achievement gaps and create measurable change for students.

The foundation has earned a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for four consecutive years, a distinction received by only a quarter of rated charities. With annual revenues of over $4.3 million (2022), the foundation distributes approximately $200,000 annually in GoTeach! Classroom Grants to nearly 90 teachers, impacting thousands of students across Palm Beach County. Beyond grants, they've distributed over $3.5 million in school supplies through their Red Apple Supplies program since 2016.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

GoTeach! Classroom Grants (Annual application: April 15 - August 8)

• $1,500 grants: Team teacher collaborative projects
• $3,000 grants: School-wide or grade-level initiatives with broader impact
• $5,000 grants: Exclusively for STEM (including AI) and Financial Literacy projects

Priority Areas

• Literacy and grade-level reading performance
• Career & Technical Education pathways
• STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, AI)
• Financial Literacy
• Increasing graduation rates and college readiness
• Student resiliency and social-emotional learning
• Teacher quality and professional development
• Support for underperforming students

What They Don't Fund

• Teachers outside the School District of Palm Beach County
• Private schools or charter schools outside the district
• Higher education institutions
• General classroom supplies (covered through Red Apple Supplies program)
• Projects outside identified priority areas

Governance and Leadership

President/CEO: James S. Gavrilos

Board Chairman: Jim Moore

The foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of business leaders and community advisors. According to Charity Navigator President & CEO Michael Thatcher, the foundation's 4-star rating recognizes "exceptional fiscal responsibility and commitment to accountability and transparency."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through apply.educationfoundationpbc.org during the annual application window (April 15 - August 8). Only current teachers in the School District of Palm Beach County are eligible. Proposals must include detailed project descriptions aligned with priority areas.

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: April 15 - August 8
• Review Period: August - October (8-10 weeks)
• Award Announcement: Late October
• Award Ceremony: October at Center for Public School Excellence and Innovation
• Project Implementation: School year following award
• Final Report Due: End of school year

Success Rates

The foundation awards 85-90 grants annually from the teacher pool of thousands in Palm Beach County School District. Recent cycles:

• 2024-2025: 89 grants totaling $200,000
• 2023-2024: 86 grants supporting 1,439 teachers

Reapplication Policy

No explicit restrictions on reapplication. Unsuccessful applicants may apply in subsequent years, and past recipients may apply for new projects.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's priorities and recent awards:

1. Clear Priority Alignment: Projects must explicitly address literacy, CTE, STEM, financial literacy, graduation rates, student resiliency, or support for underperforming students. The $5,000 tier is reserved exclusively for STEM and Financial Literacy.

2. Innovation Required: The foundation emphasizes "innovative and exciting educational opportunities"—standard classroom supplies or routine activities won't succeed.

3. Measurable Outcomes: Applications must articulate clear, measurable results. End-of-year reporting requirements mean you need built-in evaluation methods.

4. Collaborative Advantage: Team grants ($1,500) and school-wide projects ($3,000) show the foundation values collaborative approaches with amplified impact.

5. High-Need Focus: While not explicitly stated, the foundation's emphasis on Title I schools and underperforming students suggests projects targeting high-need populations may be favored.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• District Exclusivity: This is ONLY for School District of Palm Beach County teachers—not for any other districts or organizations
• One Shot Per Year: Applications accepted only April 15 - August 8 annually—miss this window and wait a full year
• Choose Your Tier Strategically: Match grant level to project scope—team ($1,500), school-wide ($3,000), or STEM/Financial Literacy only ($5,000)
• Innovation Over Supplies: Fund creative educational approaches, not basic supplies (that's what Red Apple Supplies covers)
• Build in Assessment: You'll need to submit results, photos, and summaries—design evaluation methods from the start
• 4-Star Standards: The foundation's exceptional Charity Navigator rating reflects high accountability—demonstrate fiscal responsibility in your budget

References

1. Education Foundation of Palm Beach County Official Website. https://educationfoundationpbc.org/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. Education Foundation of Palm Beach County. "GoTeach! Classroom Grants." https://educationfoundationpbc.org/goteach/ (Accessed February 2026)

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Education Foundation of Palm Beach County Inc - EIN 59-2420369." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/592420369 (Accessed February 2026)

4. Charity Navigator. "Rating for Education Foundation of Palm Beach County." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/592420369 (Accessed February 2026)

5. Town-Crier Newspaper. "Education Foundation Awards $200,000 In 'GoTeach!' Grants." November 2025. https://gotowncrier.com/2025/11/education-foundation-awards-200000-in-goteach-grants/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. School District of Palm Beach County. "2023 GoTeach! Grant Recipients." https://fl50010848.schoolwires.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=523&ModuleInstanceID=18717&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=31711&PageID=3936 (Accessed February 2026)