A $327,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to the Hillsborough Education Foundation, or HEF, will fund programs serving schools across the county, including Lennard and East Bay high schools.

Both schools host HEF's SCOPE program, which helps students explore college and career paths, according to HEF. The grant, announced Monday, also supports the Teaching Tools Resource Center, which gives teachers free classroom supplies, with an emphasis on schools in low-income communities.

Three other programs share the funding: the Transforming Early Literacy Initiative, or TELI, which places full-time literacy coaches in high-needs elementary schools; enrichment grants for classrooms; and the CEOs in Schools program, which pairs business leaders with public school principals.

Part of a record $3.75 million package

The gift is part of a $3.75 million grant package the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation announced Sept. 15 for the 2026-27 school year. The total is a 13% increase over the 2025-26 school year and the largest annual investment in the foundation's history.

Hillsborough County will receive the largest county-level share.

Literacy program expands to 31 schools

TELI, launched in the 2022-23 school year with 12 pilot schools, is set to expand to 31 Title I schools in 2026-27. Its coaches work alongside classroom teachers through modeling, co-teaching and planning sessions.

Over four years, kindergartners at TELI schools improved an average of 4 points on the STAR Early Literacy test, reaching the 57th percentile and clearing the on-grade-level benchmark of 40 for two consecutive years. At half of participating schools, the kindergarten readiness gap was eliminated for students with the greatest need, according to HEF's program page.

Suncoast ties gift to its educator founders

Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union, said in a statement that the gift reflects the institution's roots: "Founded by educators in 1934, Suncoast Credit Union has spent more than 90 years investing in teachers, students and schools."

Anna Corman, president and CEO of the Hillsborough Education Foundation, called Suncoast a "valued partner" and said the investment puts essential resources in teachers' hands while preparing students for success beyond high school.

A supply drive supporting the Teaching Tools store collected more than 34,000 items in 2025, the Osprey Observer reported. Each time a Suncoast member uses a debit or credit card, 4 cents goes to Suncoast's foundation, which has donated more than $68 million since 1990.