Inspiring minds. Expanding Possibilities.
The mission of the Birmingham Education Foundation is to create exceptional education experiences by connecting innovative teachers with community support.
Our History: The Birmingham Education Foundation, or "BEF", was formed in 1993 to support Birmingham Public Schools. At that time, an effort was underway to install turf at both high school stadiums and a group of supportive parents quickly realized that by working together, they would be able to reach their goal much more quickly. They banded together and with the help of superintendent John Hoeffler, the BEF was born. Since that time, thanks to the generosity of our community, the BEF has been able to give more than a million dollars back to BPS.
The BEF Today: As schools in all districts are called upon to do more with less, the BEF supports great learning experiences that may otherwise be unattainable. By funding these supplemental projects and activities, we provide the "extras" that help give each and every BPS student that additional edge - and in many cases, make possible special activities that will be a source of inspiration for years to come.
Typically, this support includes funding between 75-110 teacher grant requests each year. These grants give teachers and schools the funds necessary to bring enriching experiences to BPS students. To see what we've funded over the last few years, take a look through our grants awarded pages:
Grants awarded in 2015-2016
Grants awarded in 2016-2017
Grants awarded in 2017-2018
Grants awarded in 2018-2019
Grants awarded in 2022-23
Authors & Artists: Each year, the BEF works with our media department to bring an author or illustrator to our schools. In recent years, we have brought in authors such as Angela Dominguez while virtual author talks have made bestselling author events accessible to all students. This school year's virtual author talks included Kate O'Shaugnessy and Christina Collins for our middle school students with more to come for both elementary and middle school students for the 2024-25 school year.
Program Support Funds (PSF) and Program Specific Endowments: The BEF works with groups within BPS to help them with fundraising through Program Support Funds and Endowments. To learn more about both, please visit our PSF and Endowment Fund info page here.
Our History: The Birmingham Education Foundation, or "BEF", was formed in 1993 to support Birmingham Public Schools. At that time, an effort was underway to install turf at both high school stadiums and a group of supportive parents quickly realized that by working together, they would be able to reach their goal much more quickly. They banded together and with the help of superintendent John Hoeffler, the BEF was born. Since that time, thanks to the generosity of our community, the BEF has been able to give more than a million dollars back to BPS.
The BEF Today: As schools in all districts are called upon to do more with less, the BEF supports great learning experiences that may otherwise be unattainable. By funding these supplemental projects and activities, we provide the "extras" that help give each and every BPS student that additional edge - and in many cases, make possible special activities that will be a source of inspiration for years to come.
Typically, this support includes funding between 75-110 teacher grant requests each year. These grants give teachers and schools the funds necessary to bring enriching experiences to BPS students. To see what we've funded over the last few years, take a look through our grants awarded pages:
Grants awarded in 2015-2016
Grants awarded in 2016-2017
Grants awarded in 2017-2018
Grants awarded in 2018-2019
Grants awarded in 2022-23
Authors & Artists: Each year, the BEF works with our media department to bring an author or illustrator to our schools. In recent years, we have brought in authors such as Angela Dominguez while virtual author talks have made bestselling author events accessible to all students. This school year's virtual author talks included Kate O'Shaugnessy and Christina Collins for our middle school students with more to come for both elementary and middle school students for the 2024-25 school year.
Program Support Funds (PSF) and Program Specific Endowments: The BEF works with groups within BPS to help them with fundraising through Program Support Funds and Endowments. To learn more about both, please visit our PSF and Endowment Fund info page here.