SDEF Guiding Pillars

Support, promote, and sustain academic excellence in the church and community.

Provide structured teaching and tutoring environments that improve performance in math, science, reading, and theological understanding. Also oversee the SDEF Education Center.

Serve as the public interface for SDEF and support all pillars by extending programs to the broader community.

•Develop and update scholarship applications and criteria.

•Manage application timelines and review processes.

•Assemble a scholarship selection committee.

•Notify recipients and coordinate award presentations.

•Host annual Academic Awards Day recognizing K–12 and college students.

•Highlight academic achievements in church announcements/newsletters.

•Build relationships with local schools, colleges, and community programs.

•Identify students in need of funding or academic support.

•Plan targeted fundraising events (e.g., Scholarship Gala, “Sponsor a Scholar” campaign).

•Develop donor recognition strategies.

•Provide school supplies, technology support, and testing materials to students.

•Coordinate tutoring schedules for reading, writing, math, and science.

•Recruit and train volunteer tutors.

•Track student progress and adjust instruction as needed.

•College readiness workshops (ACT prep, essay writing, financial aid).

•STEM activities (science labs, robotics, coding).

•Character-building or social skills sessions 

•Host parent workshops to assist parents with developing their students

•Collect attendance, student performance data, and parent feedback.

•Present quarterly progress reports to the Board.

•Represent SDEF at community events, fairs, and school functions.

•Build partnerships with local organizations (libraries, after-school programs, churches).

•Manage communication channels (flyers, website updates, social media).

•Ensure the community is aware of scholarship deadlines, literacy programs, and events.

•Organize initiatives like:

     •School supply giveaways

     •Book drives

     •Community tutoring days

     •Health & wellness awareness events

•Recruit, train, and schedule volunteers to support all SDEF activities.

•Maintain volunteer records and recognition efforts.

•Collect feedback from families, schools, churches, and neighborhood leaders.

•Present new program recommendations to the Board (e.g., summer enrichment, parenting workshops).