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Welcome to Philanthropic Development!

Our department is charged with securing the resources needed to implement the district-wide initiatives in the OCPS Philanthropic Strategic Plan, also known as the PSP. This comprehensive Plan -- and a process to refresh it as challenges change -- grew out a collaborative effort between the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, the school board, and the district that began in June 2011. The eight initiatives of the original Plan were rolled out to the public in April 2013, and a committee with equal representation from the school board, Foundation board, and superintendent's leadership team continues to actively review progress, seek support, and vet revisions as well as new concepts brought forward for inclusion in the Plan.

As of June 30, 2016, partners have committed to providing nearly $21.5 million to support our PSP initiatives.

We are extremely grateful for their support!

The full, original Philanthropic Strategic Plan, an overview, and updates provided in April 2014, April 2015 and April 2016 are available to view in the left-hand sidebar. Don't see something you need? Please contact our office and we'll be happy to help.

We invite you to explore this page and to contact us for a conversation about how YOU can help us bring these initiatives to life for ALL our kids!

 

Want to propose a new concept for the Plan?

Click here to submit a proposal form (External Link) 

Ensure all children are ready to learn

Expand Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Classes

All participating prekindergarten students will be ready to enter kindergarten.

Provide LPN, RN, or Nurse Practitioner in Every OCPS School

Less absenteeism, less staff time for health issues; improved wellness leads to better academic performance.

Improve Academic Achievement

Literacy Tutoring Program for At-Risk Students

One-on-one tutoring to help students at non-Title I schools discover their love of reading and improve FCAT Reading scores; the achievement gap among various racial and ethnic groups will shrink.

Expand Read2Succeed and Morning Book Clubs

Participating students in elementary and middle schools will be better prepared to read proficiently and on grade level.

Expand STEM Instructional Programs

Improved PreK-12 STEM teaching and learning will prepare all students for a global job market.

Bridge the Digital Divide

Offer new, low-cost computers and reduced-priced broadband Internet access to over 2,000 AVID and magnet students in high-need schools.

Ensure Graduation

Expand City Year

Full-time and extended-day presence of well-trained "near-peer" role models and tutors will result in improved attendance, behavior, and academic achievement, leading to a higher graduation rate.

Establish Eight Suspension Centers

Eight centers providing interventions to help students better handle situations that cause suspension or truancy, resulting in improved behavior and achievement and a decrease in juvenile crime.

Contact Information

Debi Pedraza
Executive Director
Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
445 W. Amelia Street, 7th Floor
Orlando, FL 32118
Phone: (407) 317-3200 ext. 200-2608
Email: [email protected]

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Latest News

April 26, 2016

On April 26, 2016, as we honored partners to date and celebrated their support (over $21.1 million in commitments since inception!), we were also excited to unveil a new focus area: Supporting Success After OCPS! This new, fourth area creates an important space within our Plan to address initiatives that support our students' career and college readiness and grew out of vital feedback from community partners. In recognition of that vitality, we also took time for facilitated table conversations to gain insight from attendees regarding the refreshed district-wide Strategic Plan, improvement opportunities from our district-wide accreditation, and where current and prospective partners' interests align with ours.

We are especially grateful to:

SeaWorld Orlando, for their outstanding generosity in sponsoring the event;

Orlando Science Center for hosting us;

and to all the attendees, whose valuable feedback will help us move forward in the months to come!

April 9, 2015

On April 9, 2015, we celebrated and recognized the partnerships and outcomes created for our students in the first two years of our efforts. As of April 9, our partners have generously committed over $16.3 million toward these vital initiatives. More details are available by selecting the "April 9 2015 handout" in the Library at left.

Special thanks go out the following partners, who took the time to share their personal perspectives with their peers at the event on why they believe public education is important and what excites them about the initiatives they support. We are extremely grateful for their inspirational stories and the passion they shared!

Janice Abrew, representing Rosen Hotels and Resorts

The Honorable Toni Jennings, representing Winter Park Health Foundation

Joan Nelson, representing the Heart of Florida United Way's Women's Leadership Council

Tobi Allen, representing Lockheed Martin

Diane O'Dell, representing Universal Orlando Foundation

Nancy Gidusko, representing Walt Disney World

Wendy Oliver, representing Dr. Phillips Charities

Michael Boos, representing SeaWorld


Watch our April 2014 video thanking our partners to date!