As Martin County students head back to school on August 10, the Education Foundation of Martin County is asking residents, businesses and community groups to help stock local classrooms through three online giving programs.
The foundation's "Your Classroom Connection" platform includes Adopt-A-Class, Fund-A-Project and Bulletin Board Listings — each designed to link community support directly to what teachers and students need.
With Adopt-A-Class, donors contribute $100 or any multiple of $100 toward a classroom of their choice.
"The Education Foundation of Martin County's Adopt-a-Class program is where folks in the community can contribute directly to classrooms of their choice," said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. "One hundred percent of the donation goes directly to the teacher to purchase materials, supplies, provide opportunities for their students throughout the school year."
Classrooms can be adopted more than once, and Rhodes said the foundation's goal this year is to get every classroom in Martin County adopted at least one time.
Fund-A-Project, meanwhile, works more like a crowdfunding site. Teachers post specific requests explaining how a project will benefit their students, and donors can contribute at any dollar amount.
"If it's $2, $5, $200, $8,000, any amount works and it is very much appreciated," Rhodes said. "Those dollars, the smaller dollars, add up, and then that teacher can go ahead and make that purchase."
Bulletin Board Listings covers non-monetary needs. Teachers can request volunteer time, subject matter expertise, or gently used items like magazines, books or filing cabinets that can be repurposed for their classrooms.
"It's a wonderful way for the community just to be connected to our classrooms here in Martin County," Rhodes said.
The Adopt-A-Class concept isn't new. Rhodes said it began years ago with the Palm City Chamber of Commerce before the foundation expanded it countywide. All three programs are open to Pre-K through 12th grade classrooms.
"Every adopted classroom, funded project and donated resource sends a powerful message to our teachers and students that this community believes in them," Rhodes said. "When local residents and businesses step forward, they help turn classroom ideas into learning experiences that can inspire achievement all year long."
Chanda Leon, a pre-AICE biology teacher at Martin County High School and the foundation's 2025-2026 Martin County Teacher of the Year, said the programs have made a direct difference in her classroom.
"Too often, that idea never becomes reality because of cost," Leon said. "Adopt-a-Classroom and Fund-a-Project have helped to remove financial barriers, allowing me the opportunity to convert creative solutions into meaningful learning experiences for my students."
Rhodes said community sponsors help offset the cost of running the programs, allowing the foundation to pass through every dollar donated straight to teachers.
Lead sponsors include Napoli Orthodontics, the Kelley Decowski Team at RE/MAX of Stuart, Tami Karol Insurance, Diagnostic Radiology Center of the Treasure Coast, Seacoast Bank, and Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa Injury Lawyers.
To adopt a classroom, fund a project, respond to a classroom need or learn more, visit educationfoundationmc.org or call 772-600-8062.