In 1995, the Greater Aiken Local Education Foundation (GALEF) was founded by the City of Aiken to connect business resources and needs to the public schools in and around the middle of Aiken County.  In its first five years, GALEF programs provided  $654,637.91 in direct funding and matching funds to address critical needs in technology, early learning, special education, arts curricula, and at-risk populations.

Building on that success, the Board of Directors met the community’s challenge to expand its work to the entire Aiken County School District, covering 1100 square miles.  They raised new funding, revised their goals, and changed the name of the organization to Public Education Partners to reflect this new, unique collaboration of schools and the community.

Through fundraising, grant writing, and partnerships with a broad range of public and private organizations, PEP continued to grow.  Recognized as a leader in public education advocacy, PEP was named South Carolina’s first “Promise Place” by the America’s Promise Alliance in Washington, D.C.; received the SC School Board Association’s “Champion for Public Education” award; and voted “Best Local Activist Group” by the Aiken Standard’s  “Best of Aiken.”   State and national grant funding increased the impact of local dollars raised, resulting in an outstanding return on the community’s investment.

Today, PEP continues that proud tradition of strong community engagement coupled with strategically placed financial and volunteer resources to improve and support our public schools.  PEP looks forward to serving as public education’s number one advocate for many years to come.