For nearly 20 years, the Blount County Education Foundation (BCEF) has succeeded in putting needed educational tools into the hands of students in all county schools. Core to the BCEF is the mini-grant program. The BCEF typically funds more than 30 mini-grants each school year.

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 the needs in the schools and community resources by seeking both financial support and donated services from individuals and corporations.

The BCEF operates with an Executive Director who is supervised by a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors. The Board members 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.

Fast Facts:

• Established 1990
• 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Provides mini-grants for educational programs
• Organizes annual Run for Education
• Sponsors Heritage Planetarium benefit events
• Funds 2nd grade TCAP Testing
• Scholarships for at-risk students to Friends After School program
• School supply drives during TN Tax Holiday weekends
• Love Your School Library campaign
• Reading A-Z Project
• Walland Bookmobile

BCEF News/Press Releases

• 3/31/08 Second Annual Love Your School Library Campaign Kick Off

BCEF Board of Directors

President
David Jordan, Clayton Homes

President Elect
Janet Gilson, Blount Memorial Business Health

Treasurer
Rick Shepard, United Community Bank

Secretary
Vendeda Tulloch, Retired Educator with the Blount County School System

Kristy Altman, Clayton Homes
Mike Brackett, DENSO
Marilyn Byrd, Retired Educator
Adina Chumley, Chumley Communications
Vandy Kemp, Maryville College
Fran Leonard, Community Volunteer
Drew Osborn, Foothills Pediatric Dentistry
Kathy Pagles, Blount County Library
Col. Mike Waggett, Tennessee Air National Guard
Linda Whitehead

Staff
PJ Silver, Executive Director

Ex-officio Board Members
Alvin Hord, Director, Blount County Schools
Mike Treadway, Chair, Blount County Schools Board of Education
Alisa Teffeteller – Administrator, Blount County Schools

Advisory Board
Sara Proffitt Berry
Joy Bishop
Tutt Bradford
Bill Clabough
JL Goins
Bo (Clifford) Henry
Keith McCord
Dean Stone
Don Walker