Education

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The Citrus County Education Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non- profit corporation created in 1988 to support public education in Citrus County, prekindergarten through twelfth grade.  CCEF funds a variety of programs including First Library which provides young, at-risk students from low income families with books to take home and call their own.  Grants are provided to classroom teachers to develop innovative and creative learning.  Golden Citrus Scholar Awards recognize top graduating seniors with scholarships each year in eight academic categories.  Black Diamond Foundation has provided $47,000 of funding over the past three years. Visit the Citrus County Education Foundation web site.

 YMCA of the Suncoast has been in operation since 1957 and grown from its initial location in Clearwater to multiple branch locations including the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA.  In addition to its community, health, fitness and sports programs, the YMCA offers a number of children and teen programs.  Black Diamond Foundation gave $7,500 to the YMCA in 2023.  YMCA web site.

Take Stock in Children is a state-wide non-profit organization founded in the early 1990s to lower high school dropout rates.  In Citrus County, the organization seeks to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a post-secondary education.   The program provides a one-on-one mentor for children eighth grade and higher for guidance and encouragement and provides full college scholarships for the successful student.  In 2023, Black Diamond Foundation provided $9,200 of funding to Take Stock in Children of Citrus County.  See the web site.

Withlacoochee Technical College provides local adult education in a variety of trades and careers including information technology, automotive, welding, air conditioning, building construction trades, corrections and law enforcement, cosmetology, culinary arts, and nursing. Black Diamond Foundation contributed another $20,000 in 2023 to the WTC general scholarship fund. The fund has been used over the years to help proven students with tuition, educational supplies and licence/certification fees. Former Black Diamond chef, Ben Defazio, was a graduate of WTC and a beneficiary of the Black Diamond scholarship fund.  Link to the WTC web site. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs provide a positive bridge between the end of the school day and the parent’s arrival home.  Located in Homosassa, Beverly Hills and Inverness, the three Citrus County sites provide after school and summer programs to more than 120 children per day - ages 6 to 18.  Their goal is to expand to 250 children served per day.  The clubs’ development programs focus on education and career development, character and leadership development, the arts, health and life skills, and fitness and recreation.  Black Diamond Foundation provided a $15,000 grant to BGCCC in 2023.  Click for their web site.