BALDWIN COUNTY EDUCATION COALITION INC

While each education foundation provides programs and services to meet the specific needs of the schools in their local community, the Coalition focuses on systemic initiatives and best practices that improve student achievement and impact every child, hence our motto: One Voice. Every Child. Our core business is to mobilize resources (financial, volunteer and in-kind) in support of Baldwin County Public Schools. Our collective impact is $1.2 million annually, much of which is made possible through program grants and the very generous support of the business community.

The following five GOALS guide our work:

1. Inform, engage and connect all citizens to our public schools to create awareness and support for the district.

2. Obtain adequate funding to support and implement best practices and meet the needs of the district.

3. Increase capacity through training and mentorships.

4. Recognize exemplary instruction and leadership.

5. Advocate with a united voice on initiatives concerning education and nonprofits.

The following strategies are used to achieve each goal:

1. Inform, engage and connect all citizens to our public schools to create awareness and support for the district.
- Host learning forums
- Coordinate Baldwin Partners in Education Program
- Coordinate Faith-Based Initiative
- Speaking engagements with Chambers of Commerce, Civic Organizations & Education Enrichment Foundation partners
- United Way of Baldwin County's Day of Caring for Education
- Coordinate Web-based volunteer forms for every school (48 campuses)

2. Obtain adequate funding to support and implement best practices and meet the needs of the district.
- Annual Investor Campaign
- Sponsorship Opportunities for events and programs
- Grant Writing
- Support letter to Municipalities, County Commission & State Legislators

3. Increase capacity through training and mentorships.
- Host Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference
- Host Advanced Cognitive Training
- Support other teacher professional development opportunities throughout the school year
- Provide Standards for Nonprofit Board Governance Training to all Education Foundation Partners

4. Recognize exemplary instruction and leadership.
- Host Teacher of the Year Banquet
- Coordinate Monthly Employee of the Month Program
- Coordinate Annual Baldwin Proud Future Teacher Scholarship Program

5. Advocate with a united voice on initiatives concerning education and nonprofits.
- Alabama STEM Council Board Service
- Alabama Association of Nonprofits Board Service
- Assist communities in 3 Mill Special Tax District Referendum

As a Coalition of seven education enrichment foundations serving 48 campuses in all corners of the county geographically, each foundation is a trusted voice and very engaged within their local community. This true grassroots network is much more effective for the advocacy and engagement work of the Coalition.

Each foundation and the Coalition is comprised of a volunteer board of directors. The Coalition provides annual Standards for Excellence in Nonprofit Board Governance training, an ethics and accountability code for the nonprofit sector, for all new board members or any existing board member wanting a refresher. This training increases the capacity of each organization to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of their community. The Coalition's executive director is a twenty-year veteran of nonprofit management and the Coalition celebrated ten-years as an organization in 2019.

2010
- Advocated and led the Vote YES Campaign, an emergency three-year (2010-2013) penny sales tax referendum.
- Led YES WE CAN Baldwin County Community Engagement Initiative, 85 community conversations collecting the voice of close to 1,300 citizens.

2011
- Published YES WE CAN Community Agreement, results of community conversations defining the schools we want.
- Developed a Co-Owned Strategic Plan focusing on five priorities for action.
- Wrote bylaws, filed incorporation papers and formalized the Baldwin County Education Coalition.
- Hosted first annual Education Summit.

2012
- Received 501C3 approval from the IRS as a charitable organization.
- Advocated and led Invest in Progress Campaign – extended penny sales tax an additional five years (2013-2018).

2013
- First contract for services with Baldwin County Public Schools.
- Hired Executive Director.
- Hosted first Annual Golf Classic.

2014
- Began hosting Business Advisory Council
- Began hosting the Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference – over 1,200 teachers attend annually.

2015
- Advocated and led the Build Baldwin Now property tax referendum. Three existing mills renewed, all others failed.
- Organized and facilitated the Community Advisory Task Force – 24 concerned citizens dedicated to thoroughly examining and recommending actionable steps regarding the future of our public schools - 17 recommendations in five priority areas.

2016
- Advocated and led Supporting Our Schools Campaign to renew 3 additional mill of ad valorem.

2017
- Advocated for the Vote FOR One Mill Campaign to renew 1 mill ad valorem.
- Awarded Impact 100 Grant - $97,000 for Guided Reading Short Reads and Teacher PD.
- Hosted Building A Legacy of Literacy Summit to create awareness and increase support for Guided Reading.
- Began hosting Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet to recognize every schools Teacher of the Year.

2018
- Coordinated the Strategic Plan Steering Committee – six meetings over two months to update the districts strategic plan.

2019
- Launched Faith-Based Initiative – an effort to connect churches with the schools in their local communities. Currently 68 official partnerships.
- Launched Annual Investors Campaign to increase funding for programs.
- Launched Round Up for Child Literacy Initiative. Obtained first restaurant partner, PS Taco Company. Patrons will be asked to round up to the nearest whole dollar. BCEC is the named charity.
- Awarded Impact 100 grant - $101,000 to grow literacy-building classroom libraries in every elementary school in Baldwin County.

2020
- Survey of Stakeholders to determine needs to benefit our schools, examined existing programs
- Appointed to the Alabama STEM Council

2021
- Launched Palm Project to provide tangible resources to students in need
- Established reserve account to cover three months operating
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