UTBEF Mission

OUR MISSION is to enhance educational, community, and career opportunities for students in the Upper Tampa Bay area.

Our Purpose

Driven by a volunteer staff and experienced Board of Directors, we proudly serve the community we love. We are "Empowering Students and Teachers in Our Community" and appreciate your support.

We accomplish our mission and measure performance in the following ways.

• Provide scholarships to qualifying seniors at five high schools in the Upper Tampa Bay area: Alonso, Countryside, East Lake, Leto, and Sickles.

• Fund STAR Grants for classroom academic support and special projects at 15 elementary schools and 5 middle schools.

We have a responsibility to our community and our donors and work hard to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Our Beginnings

In January 2006, local leaders answered the need to encourage and celebrate exceptional students and the teachers who mentor them. The Upper Tampa Bay Education Foundation was formed to implement this very important endeavor. This homegrown, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization supports area schools by sponsoring classroom projects, supporting educational development programs, awarding technical scholarships, and celebrating the dedicated educators who teach our children.

Thanks to the generosity of one local visionary UTBEF launched its College Scholarship Endowment Drive with a seed contribution of $125,000. Our first goal was to match that amount with contributions from the community, to create an endowment fund for our current technical scholarship program. We are now committed to increasing the number of students in the program and developing internship opportunities with area businesses. 

Our Promise

Any person, association, corporation, partnership, or estate having an interest in the objectives of the Foundation may participate in Foundation programs and services.

UTBEF observes all local, state, and federal laws which apply to a non-profit organization as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. FDACS's toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).

We make our IRS Form 990 available for review, as required by law.