COLLIERVILLE, Tennessee (December 14, 2023) – During the month of December, Collierville Schools teachers received a record $225,000 in grants from the Collierville Education Foundation and its sponsorship partners to assist them with enhancements to their classrooms. To date, CEF has issued over $2 million in grants to Collierville Schools.

“On behalf of Collierville Schools, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Collierville Education Foundation for their continued commitment to raising grant money for our teachers,” expressed Dr. Gary Lilly, Director of Schools. “The support from our local sponsors continues to underscore why Collierville Schools stands out as one of the top districts in the state. Our teachers are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to utilize this grant money to enrich classroom experiences for our children. We are excited to witness the transformative impact of these grants coming to life in our classrooms.”

Each year, teachers in the district submit applications for desired grants for their classrooms. Once submitted, names and schools are redacted and submitted to the CEF Board for review.

“What got me started in trying to help the schools is that they are the main reason people move to Collierville,” said John Green, CEF Founder and Lifetime CEF Member. “I believe that we may have the number one school district in the state of Tennessee due in part to the $2 million in grants the Collierville Education Foundation has given since 1996, and we intend on increasing that in the coming years. It is our hope to raise over $500,000 for grants each year, allowing for us to achieve our goal of providing every eligible teacher a grant.”

The Collierville Education Foundation (CEF) was founded in June 1996 with the primary purpose of championing educational excellence in the Collierville public schools through fundraising which would provide grants to teachers for educational enrichment. Through the efforts of Mr. Green, CEF received its 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit in December 1997.

For more information on the Collierville Education Foundation, visit their website.