About The Adult Education Foundation
An ESOL student works with AE staff on transportation needs.
The Adult Education Foundation of Blount County is a non-profit organization raising funds to support the Adult Education Program and raising awareness of the need for basic adult education in Blount County. In addition to being a United Way Agency, we look for funding through grants, individual supporters, and our own fund-raising activities such as the annual Adult Spelling Bee and the Friends of Literacy campaign.
The Adult Education Foundation partners with Blount County Adult Education programs and staff to achieve these missions. Money that is raised is used to fund:
- educational material
- educational equipment
- copier expenses
- student transportation
- tutor training
- guidance counselor salary
- GED fees in some cases
- other staffing expenses
- support for special activities such as GED graduation.
Community awareness is provided through newspaper articles, brochures, and events such as graduation ceremonies, the Spelling Bee fundraiser, and a Web site.
The Adult Education Foundation of Blount County was originally organized as the Blount County Literacy Council in 1986. On July 1, 2008 the name was changed to the Adult Education Foundation of Blount County to reflect the broader focus of adult education in the county. The Adult Education Foundation of Blount County is an affiliate of ProLiteracy America, a member of the Tennessee Literacy Coalition, and a member of the Tennessee Association for Adult and Community Education (TAACE). The Foundation has been a United Way agency since 1986.