Award: Partners in Educational Excellence Award Recipient: Torrance Education Foundation Region: 14 The numbers are impressive: $6 million in contributions, 72,000 students helped and 25 years of commitment to education. These are just some of the points of pride for the Torrance Education Foundation.  Since 1992, this nonprofit has supported academic excellence for pre-K through 12th grade students in the Torrance Unified School District. By developing community alliances, nurturing innovation and creating a well-rounded education for students, TEF has had quite a few accomplishments, including paying to install Wi-Fi in all TUSD schools, underwriting the cost of Common Core teacher training (including placing substitutes in the classroom), funding $40,000 in scholarships for students, and implementing a successful summer school program. The organization is run by an executive director and volunteer board of directors who oversee the fundraising, grant-making, events and programs. With support from local businesses, leaders, parents and educators, TEF has made it abundantly clear to students that the Torrance community values education. Recognizing the connection between STEM education and college and career success, TEF has made expanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning a priority. After bond-funded renovations established science labs in all 17 of TUSD’s elementary schools, TEF provided $40,000 to each school so students could enjoy state-of-the-art lab materials. TEF also launched a grant program for teachers seeking to do STEM projects. “State funding for school districts always falls short, and TEF helps us fill that gap,” said TUSD Superintendent George Mannon. “TEF has become the catalyst through which the district has been able to strengthen and grow many of our programs.” While the nonprofit has backing from more than 300 individual donors, TEF also boasts an impressive list of business donors that includes Los Angeles County, Skechers and Whole Foods. Partner Toyota Motor Sales, USA has donated a vehicle that is raffled off during the annual TEF gala, raising $50,000 for students each year. “The TEF has the vision and innovation to see themselves as part of the education framework in our community and has been working closely with TUSD for 25 years to create a solid partnership that puts students first,” said Tim Stowe, deputy superintendent of TUSD.