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
Robert Pietrasanta, President
Lynn Pogue, Vice President
Community Representative
David Palmer, Treasurer
Palmer Property Management
Sara Perri, Secretary
Charlotte State Bank & Trust
Board Members
Debra Brown
Wells Fargo, NA
Cathy Bohling
Community Representative
Shaune Freeland
Nix & Associates Real Estate
Brandy Hershberger
Fawcett Memorial Hospital – HCA WFD
Russell Kirshy
Kirshy Law Firm
Maura Matzko
Community Representative
Dianne McDaniel
Suncoast Credit Union
Hope Schmidt
Community Representative
Mathew Zwack
Owen-Ames-Kimball
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
Kreg Maheu
DMK Associates, Inc.
Sharma Bachan
Centennial Bank
Shaune Freeland
Harbor Insurance
Brandy Hershberger
Fawcett Memorial Hospital – HCA WFD
Russell Kirshy
Kirshy Law Firm
Dianne McDaniel
Suncoast Credit Union
David Palmer
Palmer Property Management
Sara Perri
Charlotte State Bank and Trust
Hope Schmidt
Community Representative
Geri Waksler
The McCrory Law Firm
Mathew Zwack
Owen-Ames-Kimball
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.
