Discover How HEF Supports Hillsborough County Educators with Teaching Supplies and Classroom Grants
At Hillsborough Education Foundation, we understand the challenges that educators face, particularly when ensuring that all students have the necessary tools for learning and thriving in school. Hillsborough County’s dedicated educators often go above and beyond and spend their hard-earned money on classroom supplies to prevent their students from going without them.
Teaching Tools Resource Center
One of our flagship initiatives is the Teaching Tools Resource Center. This facility, managed and operated by HEF and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, offers full-time instructional staff in Hillsborough County Public Schools (excluding non-Title I charter schools) the opportunity to shop for free core school supplies and other essential resources. By alleviating the financial burden on teachers, our goal is to enable them to focus on what they do best: educating and inspiring their students.
What You Can Find at the Teaching Tools Resource Center
Our Teaching Tools Resource Center allows full-time instructional staff at Hillsborough County Public Schools to shop for free school teaching supplies for teachers in Hillsborough County two times per semester. Teachers are then able to distribute the supplies they have shopped for to any students who are not able to get supplies themselves. Some of the items available at our resource center include:
- Notebooks
- Pencils
- Paper
- Erasers
- Dry Erase Markers
- Books
- And much more!
- Glue
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Backpacks
- Copy Paper
Flexible Supply Shopping Options for Busy Teachers
We understand that teachers have busy schedules, which is why we offer the flexibility of substitute shopping and online ordering. If a teacher cannot make it to the resource center in person, they can assign a substitute shopper to pick up supplies on their behalf. Aides, paraprofessionals, spouses, PTA members, or other trusted members of the teacher’s network can shop in person so that teachers still receive the supplies they need without sacrificing their teaching, preparation, and planning time.
Additionally, teachers can shop online, providing even more convenience. Browse our extensive inventory, and place your order. Whether you choose to send a substitute shopper or order online, we make it easy to get the materials you need to create an effective and engaging classroom.
School & Classroom Enrichment Grants
To further promote unique and enriching educational experiences, we use an online grant application platform to provide teachers and principals the opportunity to seek funding for their projects or programs from HEF and individual investors within the community. In recent surveys, teachers say 90% of projects increased teacher effectiveness, resulting in more inspired and motivated students, which positively impacted and improved students’ academic performance.
The funding provides opportunities to enhance or expand learning through curriculum or school enrichment activities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), Literacy, Social Studies, and more. These projects and programs help excite young minds beyond what some school budgets may allow, and HEF is proud to provide resources to support them.
The Importance of Supporting Our Teachers
Effective teachers are foundational to student success. Our commitment is driven by the understanding that no classroom should be deprived of basic educational supplies, or invaluable teaching supplies for teachers. By providing an opportunity to make these supplies accessible and available through our Resource Center and various teacher grants and classroom grants, we can help Hillsborough County teachers create an optimal learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Join Us in Supporting Our Teachers and Students
Our mission is to support the educators who dedicate their lives to helping students reach new heights by providing accessible resources for supplies and facilitating classroom grants and teacher grants.
Visit our Teacher Portal today to make an appointment and start accessing the resources that can make a significant difference in your classroom.