FEBRUARY 21, 2023 – shift_ed is thrilled to announce a major gift from The Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation. The Foundation pledged $2.5 million over five years to support college grants for Guilford County Schools’ graduates with the most need.
Beginning in fall 2023, full Pell-eligible college students from Guilford County will have access to Armfield Acceleration Grants totaling $1,250 per year through shift_ed’s scholarship program.
shift_ed President and CEO Wendy Poteat calls the gift transformational. “The Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation is investing not just in students, but in the future of Guilford County,” says Poteat. “They understand that in order to eliminate barriers to student success, bold collaboration must happen between schools and community partners. We believe the Armfield Acceleration Grants will accelerate students’ potential in the classroom and in their careers.”
Mindy Oakley, Executive Director of The Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation, says, “We are excited to support students on their path to college and career and to do so as one of the growing number of partners of shift_ed. The Armfield Acceleration Grants will help to eliminate barriers to college access for Guilford County Schools’ graduates, ensuring more students will not only get to attend college, but will be able to persist to degree completion.”
shift_ed overhauled the scholarship model last fall to ensure students who need the most support receive the most scholarship dollars. Under the new model, more than 75 percent of shift_ed scholarship dollars will go to students with a family income under $75,000.
About shift_ed
shift_ed partners with GCS to provide thousands of hours of tutoring, college prep and financial aid workshops and career counseling to students. Thanks to generous community support, shift_ed has awarded more than $12.6 million to GCS graduates since 2016. Scholarship registration is open through July 1, 2023.
About The Edward M. Armfield, Sr. Foundation
Edward M. Armfield, Sr. was a native of Asheboro and lived in Greensboro until his death in 1999. He was the founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Armtex, Inc., a textile company based in Surry County, and at the time of his death he owned and operated TWP, Inc., a textile brokerage firm. The foundation that bears his name was organized in 1999 to make gifts in Surry, Randolph and Guilford counties. Education is the primary focus of the Foundation. Additional areas of interest include programs for children and youth, efforts to reduce poverty and enhancement of parks, recreation and the quality of life.
shift_ed boldly accelerates student potential