Since 1990, the Blount County Education Foundation (BCEF) has succeeded by delivering needed educational tools to students and teachers in all county schools. Core to the BCEF is the mini-grant program, typically funding more than 30 mini-grants each school year.

BCEF Support:
While a separate entity from the school system, the BCEF works closely with teachers, principals and central administration to understand and address the most pressing, unmet needs. The BCEF acts as a bridge between school needs and community resources by seeking both financial support and donated services from generous individuals and corporations.

• Provides mini-grants for educational programs
• Organizes annual Turkey Trot for Education in November
• Coordinates school supply drives during TN Tax Holiday weekends

In addition, each BCEF board member is assigned to a specific school(s) to ensure effective communication between the Foundation and every Blount County School. Here is a list of BCEF School Liaisons for the 2011-2012 school year.

BCEF Board of Directors
The BCEF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operates with volunteer Board of Directors who come from a cross-section of the community and represent a variety of professional disciplines. All are focused on the BCEF mission of enhancing excellence in education for children of the Blount County School system.

President
Linda Whitehead, First National Bank

Vice President/President Elect
Susan Stout, Blount Today

Treasurer
Kristin Pryor, Sustainable Future, LLC

Michael Barrett, Ruby Tuesday
Pam Hathcock, Alcoa, Inc.
David Jordan, Clayton Homes, Inc.
Lanae Keith, DENSO Manufacturing
Andrea Knight, Newell Rubbermaid
Rob Morris, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance
Tim Rhoades, HomeFirst Agency, Inc.
Debbie Sudhoff, Areawide Development Corporation
Carl Van Hoozier, Jr., Vulcan Materials