SouthEast Bank advocates for strong public schools by donating to the Knox Education Foundation to better Knox County Schools.
Knoxville, Tenn. October 18, 2023 — SouthEast Bank demonstrates dedication to supporting local schools with a generous $220,000 donation to the Knox Education Foundation, continuing the bank’s commitment to local education. With this donation, SouthEast Bank uplifts underserved students in Knox County, acting as a good neighbor by serving local public schools through the Knox Education Foundation.
Since SouthEast Bank’s founding, the bank has strived to help develop education, with over $23 million donated to achieving academic success. SouthEast Bank’s contribution to the Knox Education Foundation will strengthen public schools, improve student academic experiences, and fund necessary educational programs.
The Knox Education Foundation is on a mission to empower Knox County students to excel. The foundation provides additional targeted financial support to individual schools, educational programs, instructional strategies, and pilot projects to increase academic outcomes and remove the barriers to student success. Local businesses, educators, and community leaders support the foundation, which advocates for strong schools, as does SouthEast Bank.
Mike Taylor, CEO of the Knox Education Foundation, believes transforming public education in Knox County creates prosperity for students and the local community. A mission that SouthEast Bank is aiding in carrying out.
“We are truly grateful for the incredible generosity of SouthEast Bank. Their investment in our schools will have a life-changing impact on our students,” said Mike Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Knox Education Foundation. “SouthEast Bank’s contribution will underwrite projects that strengthen classroom instruction, eliminate barriers to academic success and support students in their transition to post-secondary educational and employment opportunities.”
The bank’s continuous push towards empowering education is one of the many reasons why SouthEast Bank is “good to know.” Kirby Burton, Community Reinvestment Act Officer at SouthEast Bank, explains why the bank decided to extend its support to the Knox Education Foundation.
“The Knox Education Foundation strengthens Knoxville’s public schools through their work, a mission SouthEast Bank is eager to be a part of,” Burton says, “As a financial cornerstone to the local community, SouthEast Bank’s values aligned well with the Knox Education Foundation’s mission.”
The donation will strengthen academic outcomes, providing support to address school readiness, chronic absenteeism, reading proficiency, economic mobility, scholarship and assist students transitioning from high school to post-secondary educational opportunities.
SouthEast Bank expresses the bank’s excitement to strengthen the futures of local students and the public schools of Knox County alongside the Knox Education Foundation.
About the Knox Education Foundation:
The mission of the Knox Education Foundation [KEF] is a catalyst for the transformation of public education by investing in and advocating for innovative programs, partnerships, and initiatives to achieve excellent outcomes for all students. Formed in 2020 through the merger of Great Schools Partnership Trust and Project GRAD Knoxville, the consolidation created a robust public-private partnership with Knox County Schools, the third largest district in the Volunteer State serving more than 60,000 students (pre-K through 12th grade). KEF’s unique role is essential in meeting the educational needs of our students while also providing opportunities for businesses, community leaders, funders, and stakeholders to directly impact public education. The Foundation is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure students and educators have the critical support needed in the classroom.
About SouthEast Bank:
SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.
