2025 Annual Report

2025 Statistics

Social Media

Content Viewed - 75,106
Total Page Follows - 1,179
Page Visits - 3,257

Electronic Communications

Total Contacts - 9,230
Average Open Rate - 53% (Industry Average is 21%!)

Website

Total Website Visits - 11,363

Employee Giving

Participants - 299
Total per Month - $3,099 (This is over $37k per year!)

2025 Duck Dive

$135,864.35
2025 Grants Given - 36

Dining with Dignity

$10,930.28 raised to provide students with hot meals

Jim & Peggie Morrow Glow Run

$26,931.10 raised to provide staff scholarships in 2026

Endowment Fund

$289,659.76 currently in the recently established Forsyth County Education Foundation Endowment Fund!

Thank you for your continued support!

Established in July 2015, the Forsyth County Board of Education approved the creation of the Forsyth County Education Foundation as an extension of the successful Partners in Education program. Since then, the Foundation has served as a catalyst for innovation and increased student achievement by unifying community resources beyond what the district’s operating budget can provide. Led by dedicated community, business, and parent/guardian volunteers in partnership with Forsyth County Schools, the Foundation champions initiatives that elevate teaching and learning across the district.

As an essential bridge between the school system and the community, an education foundation plays a vital role in supporting classroom innovation, funding creative instructional projects, and expanding opportunities for students. It strengthens community engagement by connecting businesses, families, and civic organizations with the needs of local schools. Foundations also help promote workforce readiness, provide scholarships or student supports, recognize outstanding educators, and invest in programs that enhance the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Ultimately, an education foundation ensures the community has a meaningful, lasting role in shaping exceptional educational experiences and preparing students for success beyond graduation.

The Forsyth County Education Foundation is a fund holder of the North Georgia Community Foundation. As a fundholder of the North Georgia Community Foundation, the Forsyth County Education Foundation gains access to a robust, region-wide philanthropic infrastructure that strengthens its ability to support education and community development. The Foundation, founded in 1985, exists to help people and nonprofits invest generously in the lives of those who call our community home, managing hundreds of charitable funds and directing millions of dollars via grants and scholarships throughout North Georgia.

Programs

The Duck Dive for Education is an annual community event that raises funds by encouraging rubber duck adoptions. A lucky duck number is drawn and the winner receives $10,000. funding is used for innovative grants for schools. In 2025, the Duck Dive had 48 sponsors with $76,000 donated. 8,189 ducks were adopted in the 2025 Duck Dive.

Funds raised from the Duck Dive are used for grants given out to schools on Foundation friYAY in September 2025. These grants range from PBIS to wellness to steam to literacy. In 2025, 36 grants were given out to schools across fcs for a total of $135,564.35.

The 2025 Dr. Jim and Peggie Morrow Glow Run for Educators is a continuation of the great work started by the morrows for BYOT many years ago. The foundation holds this 5k race and fun run each year to raise funds for fcs staff to further their education. In 2025, the Glow Run had 23 sponsors with $19,000 in sponsorship donations. There were 627 participants bringing in a total of $19,942.

With funds raised from the glow run, the foundation gives staff scholarships for teachers to pursue advanced degrees, recognizing the vital role of professional development in teacher retention. In 2025, 15 scholarships were given out for $2,500 each.

Dining with Dignity was launched in 2019. Donations are placed in the school’s cafeteria house account to provide students with a hot meal of their choice instead of a complimentary meal. Any funds remaining in the house account will roll over to the next school year to assist additional students. In the 2024-25 school year, $10,930.28 was raised to ensure all students received a hot meal.

The Forsyth County Education Foundation, in partnership with Mark Heard Fuel Company, proudly presents Fueling the Future! First-year teacher grants during New Educator Orientation. Each year, four $500 grants are awarded to new teachers in Forsyth County Schools— at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels—to support innovative classroom projects and programs for the upcoming school year.

The FoCAL Center was proud to work with the Forsyth County Education Foundation to launch an annual grant distribution process for fine arts programming in Forsyth County Schools in 2025. The funds reflect an investment the focal center provides back into our schools thanks to community support of the community theater series. The grant will be awarded up to four $2,500 grants and two $5,000 grants each year.

The Foundation works with the FoCAL Center to offer scholarships to seniors who are mentors during the annual penguin project show. The first Penguin Project mentor scholarships were awarded during The Penguin Project production of Finding Nemo Jr. in January 2024. The second winners were awarded during the production of the Lion King Jr. in January 2025.

The Forsyth County Education Foundation, in partnership with Mark Heard Fuel Company, proudly presents Fueling the Future! First-year teacher grants during New Educator Orientation. Each year, four $500 grants are awarded to new teachers in Forsyth County Schools— at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels—to support innovative classroom projects and programs for the upcoming school year.

Testimonials

" Big Creek Elementary is proud to celebrate five years as a recipient of the education foundation grant. These grants have opened doors for our Wildcats to explore new skills and experiences across all subjects. With VEX GO Robots, our stem teacher has introduced every student to the basics of coding—an incredible opportunity at the elementary level. iPads have allowed students to drive robots, design Macy's day parade floats, capture photography, publish news crew projects, and create art. Most recently, grant funds provided two 3D printers, giving fifth graders the chance to design trinkets inspired by their novel studies and bring them to life through printing. Big Creek is deeply thankful for this support, which helps us spark creativity, innovation, and a love of learning in every student.”

Courtney Mckinney, Principal @ Big Creek ES

“Receiving the fueling the future grant made a meaningful and immediate impact on both my classroom and our school community. With these funds I was able to purchase lab materials that allowed students to move beyond reading about science and instead engage directly in scientific inquiry. It has strengthened our science program and opened doors for students who deserve every opportunity to learn through exploration.”

Meagan Wright, Science Teacher @ East Forsyth HS

“Receiving the fueling the future grant made a meaningful difference in my classroom. The mobile whiteboards we received have significantly increased student engagement and opened the door to new, interactive learning opportunities. Because they’re mobile, my students can move, collaborate, and participate in activities and games that wouldn’t be possible with fixed boards. This grant helped transform our learning environment, and my students are more excited and involved than ever.”

Shannon Tosi, Math Teacher @ Hendricks MS

“Silver City has been the recipient of many grants from the Forsyth Education Foundation over the past 8 years and we are extremely grateful for the impact they have made on our school and for our students. through the funds received by the foundation, we have been able to start a number of new initiatives, like our Tier II Comet Club and our blast off to learning event. Both of these initiatives would not have been possible without the support of the foundation. In addition, we have used grants from the foundation to support our intentional school improvement work, from building a love of reading to improving social connections for our students. We have seen all schools in Forsyth County benefit greatly from having the work of the foundation and are grateful for its intentional investment into our students, staff, and families.”

Mike Sloop, Principal @ Silver City ES

Partner Connect

Get Involved in Education!

Join PARTNER CONNECT and explore the opportunity platform that connects our community with schools to collaborate, volunteer, and give back.

www.forsythpartnerconnect.org

•   Share resources, time, and expertise
•   Support through volunteering, mentoring, sponsorships, or supplies
•   Find schools and opportunities that match your interests
•   Make a direct impact in your community
•   Flexible opportunities for every schedule
•   Build relationships with local schools
•   Support Forsyth County students in meaningful ways

Where Education Meets Business & Community

Forsyth County Education Foundation Governing Board Members

Michael Barron
Bert Durand
Richard Good
Wendy Goodrow
Fonda Harrison
Jonathan Heard
Joseph Otwell
Tara Profeta
Sreeram Royyala
Renee Welch

For additional information, please contact:
Valery Lowe
Chief of Community Engagement and Lifelong Education
vlowe@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770-887-2461 ext. 403513

Hannah Samples
Community Engagement Coordinator
hsamples@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770-887-2461 ext. 403537

Forsyth County Education Foundation 2025 Annual Report