The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc is a public charity based in an individual recipient, Florida. It supports public education in Lee County through programs, resources, and experiences for students and educators, with activities that include scholarships, classroom grants, and teacher recognition.
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc at a glance
In short: The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc gave $315K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Florida. 47% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $314,605
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +54.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,506
- -39.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,816
- Total assets
- $6,619,584
- +0.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1608, Fort Myers, FL 33902
Phone: (239) 337-0433
Website: https://leeschoolfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
Classroom & School Grants Program
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
Amount
Approximately $62,000 - $80,000 total per cycle (varies by year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
FSW Partnership Scholarship ($10,000)
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
Amount
$10,000 per student
Deadline
Deadline not published
Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Award
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Harns Marsh Middle School ($11K). Together the top 10 received $77K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($215,757), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 66 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated mission and its program descriptions focus on public education in Lee County, Florida. Its 2025 reported grant dollars all went to Florida recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $7K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $315K (2025) to $525K (2022). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $315K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $215,757 |
| Harns Marsh Middle School Lehigh Acres, FL | GRANTS | $11,240 |
| University of Florida Gainesville, FL | Scholarships | $10,137 |
| North Fort Myers High School North Fort Myers, FL | GRANTS | $9,080 |
| Trafalgar Middle School Cape Coral, FL | GRANTS | $7,120 |
| Buckingham Exceptional Student Cent Fort Myers, FL | GRANTS | $6,889 |
| Mariner High School Cape Coral, FL | GRANTS | $6,816 |
| Allen Park Elementary School Fort Myers, FL | GRANTS | $6,708 |
| Tice Elementary School Fort Myers, FL | GRANTS | $6,468 |
| Pinewoods Elementary School Estero, FL | GRANT | $6,100 |
Ready to take the next step with The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,619,584 | $1,982,144 | $1,975,290 | $314,605 | 17 | $125,709 |
| 2024 | $6,585,213 | $2,928,081 | $2,282,009 | $337,188 | 11 | $111,372 |
| 2023 | $5,948,180 | $4,569,323 | $2,875,770 | $473,302 | 12 | $14,078 |
| 2022 | $4,250,359 | $1,886,301 | $1,737,746 | $525,397 | 14 | $5,659 |
| 2021 | $4,099,376 | $1,634,432 | $1,426,342 | $454,927 | 12 | $6,629 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators. Its programs include scholarships and mentoring for students, classroom grants for educators, teacher recognition and development, donated educational resources, and college and career initiatives.
The Foundation’s own filing describes Take Stock in Children as providing scholarships and mentoring to low-income, at-risk students. Its filing also describes the Education Resource Center as collecting donated new and used items for teachers, students, and schools at no cost, and the Classroom Grants program as helping educators fund unique learning opportunities.
Among the 2025 recipients, Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation Inc received $15,453. The grantee describes its mission as supporting Florida SouthWestern State College’s strategic priorities by providing additional funding and resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 17 grants totaling $314,605. Grant amounts ranged from $5,180 to $184,805, with a median of $6,816. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Florida.
The largest reported grant was $184,805 to Florida Prepaid College Foundation for scholarships. Other large grants included $15,499 to an individual recipient Coast University for scholarships, $15,453 to Florida SouthWestern State College for scholarships, and $11,240 to Harns Marsh Middle School for grants. The Foundation also reported grants to University of Florida ($10,137 for scholarships) and an individual recipient High School ($9,080 for grants).
The Foundation’s website describes the Golden Apple program as recognizing outstanding educators in the School District of Lee County. Community members may nominate teachers; the selection process includes an application review, classroom observations, and interviews. Six educators are selected annually for recognition and an invitation to join the Academy of Teachers.
The Golden Futures Scholarship supports Lee County high school seniors who wish to become teachers. The Foundation describes it as providing four years of full tuition through partnerships with an individual recipient Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College; recipients must commit to at least four years of service in Lee County District Schools after graduation. The FSW Partnership Scholarship is described as a $10,000 award for eligible Lee County high school seniors attending Florida SouthWestern State College. The Foundation’s scholarship page says student scholarships for 2026–2027 are scheduled to open November 1, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Wukitsch as chair/director, R. Noelle Branning as vice chair/director, Darrel Lieze-Adams as secretary, Kyle DeCicco as treasurer/director, and Marshall T. Bower, Esq. as president and CEO. It also lists Richard Lewis, Harlan Parrish, Ken Savage, Robbie Roepstorff, and Aysegul Timur as executive members.
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc is led by Marshall T. Bower Esq., President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 1 of 41 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Marshall T. Bower Esq.
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$172K (2021) → $209K (2025)
Michael Wukitsch
Chair & Director
Secretary & Director → Vice Chair & D, 2022
Vice Chair & D → Chair & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amira Fox
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Andrew Reddish
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Brian Hamman
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carmine Marceno
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Cindy McCurry-Ross
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cole Peacock
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Constance White-Davis
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Denise Vidal
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jeff Kunberger
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
John Miller
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Keith Banasiak
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Daly
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Shimp
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kyle Decicco
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence Cremia
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Mark Loren
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Zwack
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Steven C. Shimp
Director
Past Chair & E → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas A. Mueller
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas H. Giles
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Anderson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Talmage
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Mike Perino
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Rob Pellicer
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Scot Burris
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Shawn Smith
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Thomas Huether
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Lee Ford
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Samuel Fisher
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Victor Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Gary Griffin
Executive Member
Immediate Past C → Executive Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harlan C. Parrish
Executive Member
Chair & Director → Executive Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Noelle Branning
Vice Chair & D
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair & D, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robbie B. Roepstorff
Executive Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darrel Lieze-Adams
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Lewis
Executive Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aysegul Timur
Executive Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Savage
Executive Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (34)
- Former: Jeff Ospina (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kristin Gwinner (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mark Weber (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Michele Laboda (2021–2023) — Chair & Director
- Former: Michele Yovanovich (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Martin (2021–2023) — Executive Member
- Former: Christopher Bernier (2022–2023) — Executive Member
- Former: Armor Persons (2023) — Director
- Former: Josh Christensen (2023) — Director
- Former: Brian Rist (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Deana Homsi (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Debbie Jordan (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Denise Gergley (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John D. Meyer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John Hayes (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Peter Tuffo (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Rob Shovlin (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles K. Idelson (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Chris K. Bundschu (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: E. Bruce Strayhorn (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Eva Freeman (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Gary V. Trippe (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Gay Thompson (2021) — Director
- Former: Gerald Laboda (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Howard Wheeler (2021) — Director
- Former: Jon Cecil (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Kenneth A. O'Donnell (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Kenneth Savage (2021) — Executive Member
- Former: Linda K. Taylor (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Randy Henderson (2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Ackert (2021) — Past Chair & E
- Former: Richard G. Lewis Ii Ph D. (2021) — Executive Member
- Former: Stacey Mercado (2021) — Director
- Former: Steven Pontius (2021) — Treasurer & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $209K, to Marshall T Bower ESQ (Pres/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc
How much does The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc give each year?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc gave $315K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $337K across 11 grants.
What is The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's typical grant size?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's median grant in 2025 was $6,816, and its average grant was $18,506, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc give grants?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc gives mostly in Florida: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Myers, FL (5 grants) and Cape Coral, FL (3 grants).
Does The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants" (10 grants) and "Scholarships" (6 grants).
Who are The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's largest grantees?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Harns Marsh Middle School ($11,240), University of Florida ($10,137) and North Fort Myers High School ($9,080), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($215,757), which are not listed by name. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc reported $6.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What does The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check leeschoolfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's EIN?
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2637849. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-lee-county-public-schools-inc-morg_8776fdaa48d948c7a3310a06b0105a74
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_592637849_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-foundation-for-lee-county-public-schools-inc-morg_8776fdaa48d948c7a3310a06b0105a74},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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