SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC.

What SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC. does

Suffolk Education Foundation Inc. (SEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Suffolk, Virginia, that exists to channel private community resources into Suffolk Public Schools. Its core offerings comprise annual college scholarships (typically $20K+ per graduating class, including a $3,000 Future Educator Scholarship), instructional grants of up to $2,000 per classroom project (over $350,000 awarded cumulatively to date), and the Teacher Supply Store — a monthly free-supply program for Suffolk Public Schools teachers launched in partnership with the school division in 2018 and relocating for the 2026-27 school year. The foundation also funds STEM programs (including biomedical sciences and the Sea, Air & Land engineering challenge), fine arts programs, summer learning programs (LEAP for elementary, LAUNCH for middle school), the College & Career Readiness Fair, and teacher recognition events.

The underlying operating model is community-driven fundraising rather than product revenue: SEF raises capital through individual donations (via an online NeonCRM portal with payroll-deduction options for Suffolk Public Schools staff), corporate sponsorships across multiple tiers (with five named 2026 Diamond Sponsors: RRMM Architects, MSA P.C., GET Solutions, Speight Marshall Francis, and Thompson Consulting Engineers), annual fundraising events (a Gala themed "Prom Rewind" in April and a Golf Tournament in October honoring Dr. Milton Liverman), and seven managed scholarship endowments. The board of directors — comprising community members, a Suffolk Sheriff's Office representative, a Suffolk School Board member, a student representative, and officers including President Patrick Belcher (Entrepreneur/Author), Vice President Lesa McNamara (Suffolk Public Schools staff managing the Teacher Supply Store), Treasurer Kristan Pettiford (Attorney), and Secretary Sheena Love — provides governance. The foundation reports that 94 cents of every dollar raised is returned directly to schools, and it maintains a lean staff of 1-10 employees supported by volunteer board governance.

Name

SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC.

Legal name

Suffolk Education Foundation Inc.

Website

https://suffolkeducationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Suffolk Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that raises community funds to provide scholarships, instructional grants, a Teacher Supply Store, and STEM/fine arts programs to Suffolk Public Schools students and teachers in Suffolk, Virginia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation (K-12 Educational Nonprofit)

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)

Keywords

• Education foundation
• Scholarship programs
• Instructional grants
• Teacher supply store
• Community fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Suffolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation raises funds through direct financial donations from individuals, corporations, and community members. All money raised is appropriated to students and staff of Suffolk Public Schools, with 94 cents of every dollar raised returned to schools.
2. Event Fundraising: Annual events including a Gala (Prom Rewind) and Golf Tournament generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships. Proceeds support STEM programs, fine arts, and general foundation operations.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors (Diamond, and other tiers) provide financial support. 2026 Diamond Sponsors include RRMM Architects, MSA P.C., GET Solutions, Speight Marshall Francis, and Thompson Consulting Engineers.
4. Sponsorship Packages: Various sponsorship tiers are available for events, providing businesses with marketing exposure and community engagement opportunities in exchange for financial contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds from individuals, businesses, and community events and redistributes them to Suffolk Public Schools in the form of college scholarships, instructional grants for classroom projects, free classroom supplies through the Teacher Supply Store, and funding for STEM, fine arts, and summer learning programs. All proceeds support students and staff of Suffolk Public Schools, with 94 cents of every dollar raised returned directly to schools.

Product overview

SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation founded in 1993 that supports Suffolk Public Schools through multiple interconnected programs. The foundation provides annual college scholarships totaling $20K+ per graduating class (including the $3,000 Future Educator Scholarship) and instructional grants up to $2,000 for classroom innovation. Its Teacher Supply Store offers monthly free supplies to educators, while fundraising events including the annual Gala and Golf Tournament drive operational capacity. SEF also funds STEM Programs (including the SeAL student engineering challenge) and Fine Arts Programs, manages seven scholarship endowments, and sponsors enrichment initiatives like the LEAP elementary and LAUNCH middle school summer programs. The foundation returns 94 cents of every dollar raised directly to schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual College Scholarships Annual college scholarships and tuition assistance awarded to Suffolk Public Schools graduating seniors, including multiple endowed memorial scholarships (e.g., Cross Family, E. Talmadge Darden Memorial, G. Blair Harry Memorial, Milton R. Liverman Memorial, Gertrude B. Pruden Family Arts, Helen and Ned Ferguson Endowment, Ellis E. Temple Sr. Memorial, and Future Educator).
• Instructional Grants Annual grants of up to $2,000 awarded to Suffolk Public Schools teachers for innovative classroom projects and educational initiatives, impacting close to 2,500 students.
• Teacher Supply Store Monthly store where Suffolk Public Schools teachers can obtain free classroom supplies for students in need. Open Thursdays 2 p.m.–5:30 p.m., August through May, at John F. Kennedy Middle School (2325 E. Washington St., Suffolk, VA).
• STEM Programs (including SeAL Student Engineering Challenge and Biomedical Sciences) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs funded by SEF for Suffolk Public Schools, including biomedical sciences and the Sea, Air & Land (SeAL) student engineering challenge.
• Fine Arts Programs Music and art programs at Suffolk Public Schools funded through SEF's annual Gala and direct donations, with all gala proceeds supporting these programs.
• LEAP Elementary Summer Program Elementary summer learning program funded by SEF to support student enrichment during school breaks.
• LAUNCH Middle School Summer Program Middle school summer enrichment program funded by SEF providing expanded learning opportunities for Suffolk Public Schools students.
• College & Career Readiness Fair Annual SEF-funded event helping Suffolk Public Schools students prepare for post-secondary education and career pathways.
• Teacher of the Year and Superintendent's Star Award Programs Annual recognition programs for Suffolk Public Schools teachers, funded by SEF.
• Annual Gala (Prom Rewind) Annual fundraising gala (Prom Rewind in 2026) celebrating student talents in music and art; all proceeds support music and art programs at Suffolk Public Schools.
• Annual Golf Tournament Annual golf tournament honoring community leaders such as Dr. Milton Liverman, held at Sleepy Hole Golf Course with 18 holes, networking with area leaders, and dinner buffet; 2026 Diamond Sponsors include RRMM Architects, MSA P.C., GET Solutions, Speight Marshall Francis, and Thompson Consulting Engineers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $500,000 in scholarships awarded since 1993
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Suffolk Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner benefiting students and staff of Suffolk Public Schools. SEF was founded to support Suffolk Public Schools by connecting community resources to expand educational opportunities. The partnership includes the Teacher Supply Store program, instructional grants, scholarships, and support for school events including College & Career Readiness Fair, Teacher of the Year, and summer programs (LEAP, LAUNCH).
• John F. Kennedy Middle SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing the Teacher Supply Store location at 2325 E. Washington St., Suffolk, VA. Teachers shop monthly at this location for free classroom supplies. The store is relocating for the 2026-27 school year.
• RRMM ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Diamond Sponsor of the annual Golf Tournament honoring Dr. Milton Liverman.
• MSA P.C.minorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Diamond Sponsor of the annual Golf Tournament honoring Dr. Milton Liverman.
• GET SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Diamond Sponsor of the annual Golf Tournament honoring Dr. Milton Liverman.
• Speight Marshall FrancisminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Diamond Sponsor of the annual Golf Tournament honoring Dr. Milton Liverman.
• Thompson Consulting EngineersminorGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Diamond Sponsor of the annual Golf Tournament honoring Dr. Milton Liverman.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Norfolk Education Foundation: A directly comparable Hampton Roads–area education foundation supporting Norfolk Public Schools through teacher grants, scholarships, and STEM/program funding, with a similar community-embedded operating model.
• Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation: Virginia-based education foundation providing scholarships, classroom grants, and teacher support to a single urban school district — a near-exact functional analog to SEF's Suffolk Public Schools focus.
• Virginia Beach City Public Schools Education Foundation: Closest geographic peer serving a single Virginia school district with scholarships, instructional grants, and teacher programs; operates at a larger scale but with an identical mission and donor model.
• Portsmouth Schools Foundation: Hampton Roads peer focused on scholarships, classroom grants, and teacher support for Portsmouth Public Schools; comparable scope and community-fundraising profile to SEF.
• Chesterfield Education Foundation: Virginia single-district education foundation providing scholarships and innovative classroom grants; structurally and operationally similar to SEF, serving as a useful scale and program-mix benchmark.

Regional players

• Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Larger regional grantmaker covering Southeastern Virginia including education; competes for the same corporate and high-net-worth donors in the Hampton Roads geography, albeit with a much broader mission.

Broad incumbents

• DonorsChoose: Nationwide platform that crowdsources funding for classroom supplies and projects — overlapping directly with SEF's instructional grants and Teacher Supply Store functions, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit supporting K–12 student success through in-school coordination, scholarships, and community partnerships; adjacent mission and donor base at much greater scale.

Others

• National Education Foundation (NEF): National nonprofit that partners with school districts on STEM, computer literacy, and teacher professional development programs — thematically aligned with SEF's STEM and summer programming but operating nationally rather than at a single district.

Peers

• Williamsburg-James City County Education Foundation: Virginia single-district education foundation providing scholarships and instructional grants to WJCC Schools; a useful direct comparator within the same state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPhz4qGVZFv-HHf0MlcW7-w
• Facebookfacebook.com/SuffolkEducationFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/suffolkef
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/suffolk-education-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SUFFOLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC.