Our Story

For over 30 years, the Citrus County Education Foundation (CCEF) has quietly yet powerfully stood in the gap for students and educators across Citrus County. What began in 1988 as a small effort to address unmet needs in the school district has grown into a vital force, serving over 16,000 students and 2,500 school employees each year.

Our mission is simple but powerful: to provide resources that support the Citrus County School District and enhance the quality of education for present and future generations. Through innovative programs, meaningful partnerships, and community-driven support, we help students thrive, both in school and in life.

At first, the CCEF gave local donors a way to help where state funding fell short. Over time, that mission evolved into something bigger: a belief that when students are supported, learning can flourish. With a small but mighty team, an engaged board of directors, and over 600 dedicated volunteers, we now run 42 programs and events that go far beyond academics — supporting basic needs, emergency relief, and long-term student success.

COVID-19 was a turning point. We met families where they were, listened to their stories, and responded with care. That moment reshaped us into what we are today: a true community partner working to lift up entire families so that education never has to pause.

We’ve grown from raising $250,000 a year to over $2 million annually, all reinvested into our schools, our students, and our future. And the most powerful part? Families we once supported are now giving back, helping others in the same way.

At our core, we’re about connection, equity, and care. We believe in public education, in the power of community, and in the idea that a thriving student body builds a thriving Citrus County. And we’re just getting started.