COMMUNITY LEADERS, INCLUDING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, ENCOURAGED THE CREATION OF A NEW FOUNDATION THAT COULD GALVANIZE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BE MEANINGFULLY ENGAGED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY (SDIRC) APPROVED THE CREATION OF A DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD RAISE MONEY TO SUPPORT STRATEGIC INITIATIVES ALIGNED WITH DISTRICT PRIORITIES AND THAT WOULD ENGAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE SUSTAINED IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF SDIRC SCHOOLS.JANET KNUPP, AN EXPERIENCED HEALTH AND EDUCATION CEO, WAS HIRED AS THE FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO LEAD THE NEW ORGANIZATION. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXECUTED ALL LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO OPERATE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, DSO, AND FUNDRAISING ENTITY IN FLORIDA. THE FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECRUITED AND FORMED A BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE SDIRC ON STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE FUND TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT ON PRIORITIES AND, ULTIMATELY, ON IMPACT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SDIRC, THE FUND WILL FOCUS ITS WORK ON IDENTIFYING AND ADVANCING PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT WILL DRIVE SUSTAINED SUCCESS UNDER SDIRC SUPERINTENDENT DR. MOORE'S LEADERSHIP AND MAKE SDIRC THE BEST CHOICE FOR EDUCATION IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY.