The commitment by Toyota Motor Manufacturing to establish a $50 million endowment at the CREATE Foundation is the most extraordinary gift to support public education in the history of our state. Since its inception, CREATE, through the guidance of the Toyota Wellspring Advisory Committee, uses the proceeds from the endowment to enhance education in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties. 

The Toyota Wellspring Education Fund’s vision is to build a world-class workforce to ensure all young people in Northeast Mississippi are exposed to, prepared for, and connected to living-wage employment opportunities through strong career guidance and aligned education-to-career experiences. TWEF is changing the educational landscape in our region by making students’ professional dreams a reality.

Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
Advisory Committee

Committee Advisors

Committee Advisors

Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo

For over 7 years, the Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo has provided over 30,000 students from the 17 CREATE counties with the opportunity to experience 18 career pathways.

In 2020, Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo experience transitioned from an in-person event to a virtual format targeting 10th grade students.  The virtual format includes a website, www.itpcareerexpo.com, and the Imagine the Possibilities app that is accessible via Apple and Android products.  Students and parents can access information on all eighteen pathways, with each pathway including a pathway overview video, pathway resources, a “day in the life” videos, mentor for a minute clips, and a podcast.

All career pathways with which students receive exposure align with the Mississippi Department of Education College and Career Readiness Standards.

GRANTS

The Toyota Wellspring Fund distributes grant monies to the school districts in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties for initiatives ranging from STEAM-based education to early childhood summer camps. Funds are also directed towards summer learning opportunities at our local community colleges, universities, and businesses, enhancing students’ experiences as they relate directly to career pathways. Further, educators in the three counties are provided funds to advance their professional development and strengthen their capacity from the classroom to the district level. Each funding opportunity is directly linked to creating a classrooms-to-careers avenue in our three counties.

Career Coaches

With the addition of Career Coaches across 14 high schools in the Pontotoc, Union, and Lee County school districts, our high school students receive an abundance of opportunities ranging from aptitude assessments to internships in local business and industry. The Career Coach cohort aims to expose, prepare, and connect our students to avenues within and beyond the classroom setting. Through strong partnerships with our economic and business leaders, paired with a viable relationship with each school district, the Career Coaches have embarked on a mission to change the educational landscape of our region. Not only has the Career Coach initiative had an impact in our region, but the program has expanded across Mississippi, impacting children across the entire state.

TPSD Discovery

The Toyota Wellspring Fund distributes grant monies to the school districts in Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties for initiatives ranging from STEAM-based education to early childhood summer camps. Funds are also directed towards summer learning opportunities at our local community colleges, universities, and businesses, enhancing students’ experiences as they relate directly to career pathways. Further, educators in the three counties are provided funds to advance their professional development and strengthen their capacity from the classroom to the district level. Each funding opportunity is directly linked to creating a classrooms-to-careers avenue in our three counties.