Anderson Five Educational Foundation

Mission Statement: 

To support our District Five Families and the mission of Anderson School District Five, which is to educate students who are college and career-ready and will positively contribute to an ever-changing world.

The Anderson School District Five Educational Foundation was created in the year 2000 with the approval of the District Board of Trustees. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization and can accept tax-deductible charitable donations to support programs outside of federal and state government funds. The Foundation is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors, all serving on a volunteer basis. They are joined by the Anderson School District Five's Teacher of the Year as well as three ex-officio members who are employees of Anderson Five, and an ex-officio A5 Board Member.

Programs for which the Foundation has accepted tax-deductible grants and donations include those that promote equity and inclusion for Anderson Five students, enhance learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), provide career education materials for all students, and support early literacy from birth through Kindergarten. Past and continuing initiatives that are supported include:

District Five Homeless and Needy Students Program – These programs provide for students in need using funds from both the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and from private donations. The Foundation distributes funds received from Wal-Mart, The Abney Foundation, Allstate, churches, fundraising events, and other private donors. Money from private donations is used for homeless and needy students and their families when McKinney-Vento funds cannot be used due to guidelines tied to the federal grant. Some of the ways this money has been used include city bus passes, clothes for non-school-age or non-District homeless children, temporary housing, and food. Each year, the district helps provide for the needs of more than 200 students through this program.   

Bosch – Anderson Institute of Technology – This program supports the Anderson Institute of Technology for additional equipment in the incubator labs that students use to learn the machinery they might encounter as future employees of Bosch. 

Arthrex – Anderson Institute of Technology – This program supports the Anderson Institute of Technology for additional equipment in the incubator labs that students use to learn how to use the machinery they might encounter as future employees of Arthrex.

First Quality Vex Robotics – This program supports the costs associated with children's participation in robotics programs and competitions.

Michelin – Anderson Institute of Technology – This program supports the Anderson Institute of Technology for additional equipment that students use to learn machinery they might encounter as future employees of Michelin. 

Teacher Grants – This program is funded by fellow employee donations and awards teachers grants to use for the purchase of supplies and other supplementary materials to enhance instruction. Teachers must apply with a project in mind that supports standards of learning set forth by the South Carolina Department of Education.

Bosch Community Fund Teacher Grants – This program awards teachers with funds to use for STEM projects in their classrooms. STEM projects are Science, Technology, Engineering and Math related.

Overcoming Adversity Scholarship – This program helps students achieve their goal of higher education through attendance, intervention, and recovery. The program awards a scholarship to a senior that has participated in this program. Other reward incentives are provided to eligible students in the program.

Bosch Community Funds – This program supports students in elementary learning labs created within schools. These labs have enhanced STEM instruction, so that even our youngest students can see themselves in the many careers and possibilities that are available to everyone.  

South Carolina Arts Commission Grants - Funds awarded from the SCAC to teachers and schools working to increase our students' exposure to the arts.

A5Read2Babies - Funds donated toward this program are used to mail out high quality, age-appropriate books to future A5 students beginning at birth as an affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Anderson Five teachers and employees are contributing via payroll deductions and local businesses have also joined the effort. Anderson Five Educational Foundation is proud to partner with this exceptional program of book gifting made possible through the generosity of Dolly Parton! 

Autism Speaks Awards - Funds awarded from Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant and the Norma and Malcom Baker Recreation Grant to enhance career education and recreational play opportunities for students with Autism.

All Inclusive Playground - A new initiative is seeking grants for all-inclusive playgrounds and play equipment at our schools housing children in wheelchairs.

Other Programs –  Anderson County Donation for Flags for ROTC, No Kids Hungry initiative and various scholarships for high school seniors.