Partners Launch Tennessee Business Fund for Public Education NASHVILLE – The Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA), the Tennessee Business Roundtable (TBR) and the American Public Education Foundation (APEF) are proud to announce the launch of the Tennessee Business Fund for Public Education (TBFPE).
The new charitable Fund will directly support the creation of programs in public schools that lead to postsecondary success and career opportunities for students, while giving businesses the opportunity to develop a future ready workforce. Through the Fund, Tennessee businesses and individuals will be empowered to create grant opportunities for public school districts in four career-connected focus areas:
courses and programs that provide postsecondary credit, national industry certifications, and credentials;
literacy;
character education; and
health.
“We are very excited about the Fund and believe this will help prepare students for their future careers. School districts will be able to meet the needs of their community and create lasting partnerships with local and regional businesses,” said TSBA President and Campbell County Board Member Faye Heatherly.
“This Fund will provide Tennessee’s businesses a unique opportunity to positively influence the future of our workforce through direct partnerships with our public schools,” said William A. “Tinker” Kelly, CEO of Voluntary Employee Benefit Advisors and 2018 Vice-Chair of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. “By donating funds to assist a single school, to support one or more school districts, or on an unrestricted basis, this Fund allows businesses of any size to take an active role in building a talent pipeline,” he added.
Over the last eight months, TSBA, TBR, and the APEF have worked together to create a partnership that creates a way for Tennessee’s entire business community to actively support the development of career focused programs for students. Through the Fund, which will operate under the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) American Public Education Foundation, contributing businesses and individuals will gain the ability to support all four career-connected focus areas, or to focus on a specific program to meet a particular need in their community.
The APEF will provide all administrative functions for the Fund, including legal, accounting and Internal Revenue Code compliance, and financial oversight. This will ensure transparency, accountability, and the knowledge that the Tennessee BusinessFund for Public Education is empowering students and creating a future ready workforce.
“We are living in times of exponential change. We are today preparing our students for jobs that have not yet been created, using technologies that have not yet been invented, solving problems that we don’t yet realize are problems,” said APEF President David A. Pickler. “The American Public Education Foundation is proud to be a partner in this collective vision for Tennessee’s economic future. This collaboration in workforce development will be an essential ingredient in achieving a future which will empower Tennessee to fulfill its potential for economic growth and quality of life for its citizens,” he added.
For more information about the Fund, contact TSBA at (615) 815-3900 or TBR at (615) 255-5877.
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About the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) – www.tsba.net The Tennessee School Boards Association is a state wide, nonprofit organization of school boards throughout Tennessee. TSBA’s mission is to assist school boards in effectively governing school districts. Through the years, TSBA has helped school boards and their members reach their highest potential through Association programs, meetings and services. TSBA also provides school board members with a collective voice in matters of legislation and public education concerns. For more information about TSBA, visit our website at: www.tsba.net.
About the Tennessee Business Roundtable (TBR) – www.tbroundtable.org To optimize the quality of life and well-being of all Tennesseans, the Tennessee Business Roundtable develops and seeks to implement public policies which enhance our state’s vibrant economic climate. Founded by prominent Tennessee business leaders in 1983, and dedicated to the belief that an educated, healthy populace and sound state fiscal policies are the primary drivers of Tennessee’s vibrant economy, TBR seeks to be the most respected & influential policy voice for Tennessee’s business community.
About the American Public Education Foundation (APEF) –www.theapef.org The American Public Education Foundation partners with public school advocates from all walks of life – lawmakers, leaders, and ordinary Americans – to “keep the American Dream alive” for our nation’s K-12 students. We believe that high-quality public education is the pathway to a stronger America. The American Public Education Foundation centers our efforts on three areas that complement classroom instruction and catalyze student achievement: innovation, leadership, and service learning. Our foundation passionately and profoundly believes in the power of public education.”