About Us
History & Mission
Founded in 1989, the Charlotte Local Education Foundation (CLEF) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization that brings our community together for the investment of advancing student learning and teacher leading. By increasing public awareness and inspiring community and business support for programs focused on learning, literacy, and leadership, CLEF continues to be a community catalyst and convener around innovation in student learning.
CLEF works in partnership with the community and businesses to bring critical resources that are not funded by normal tax revenues to help students succeed in their academic and personal achievements. These needs are met through student scholarships, mentoring and dropout prevention strategies, free school supplies for low-income students, teacher quality and recognition programs, classroom grants, literacy improvement strategies, technical/career education initiatives, and targeted support for low-performing students and schools.
Discover how YOU can help make a difference!
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Dan Ambroze, President
David Palmer, Treasurer
Palmer Property Management
Sara Perri, Secretary
Charlotte State Bank & Trust
Maura Matzko
Past President
Board Members
Debra Brown
Wells Fargo, NA
Cathy Bohling
Community Representative
Brandy Hershberger
Fawcett Memorial Hospital – HCA WFD
Dianne McDaniel
Suncoast Credit Union
Shelly Faria
Remax Anchor Realty
Daniel Washington
Career Source SW FL
Robert Pietrasanta
Community Representative
Kreg Mahue
DMK Associates, Inc.
Steve Dionisio (ex-officio)
Superintendent Charlotte County Public Schools
Wendy Atkinson
School Board Representative, School Board Member
Sara Wierhake, Executive Director
Charlotte Local Education Foundation
Meetings
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Board meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm (except December and July) at Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, unless otherwise noted: 2702 Tamiami Trail, Pt Charlotte, FL 33952
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Executive Committee meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30pm (except November and December) at Palmer Property Management, 6210 Scott Street #214, Punta Gorda FL 33950
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All meetings are open to the public
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Any disabled individual who needs reasonable accommodations for meetings may contact the Ed Foundation office, 941.255.7500. x294, prior to the meeting date
The Giving Partner
We are registered with The Giving Partner, a collaborative partnership between the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota, Manatee Community Foundation, and the Patterson Foundation. It is your source for knowledge about charitable nonprofits in Southwest Florida. For more information, click here.
Board Meetings Schedule
1st Wednesday of each month, 4:30 pm
NOTE: No meeting in December
July 7, 2021 – Zoom meeting
August 4, 2021
September 1, 2021
October 6, 2021
November 3, 2021
January 5, 2022
February 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
April 6, 2022
May 4, 2022
June 1, 2022
Executive Committee Meetings Schedule
4th Tuesday of each month, 4:30 pm
NOTE: No meetings in August & December
June 22, 2021
July 22, 2021
September 22, 2021
October 26, 2021
November 23, 2021
January 25, 2021
February 22, 2021
March 22, 2021
April 26, 2021
May 24, 2021
June 28, 2021