Baldwin Education Coalition Unveils New Look and Website 15 Years After Becoming a Nonprofit

BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Baldwin Education Coalition has a new look. The nonprofit, which rallies community support for public schools across Baldwin County, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity and a redesigned website meant to reflect where the organization stands today, 15 years after it formally became a nonprofit.

The coalition said the update is a change in appearance, not in purpose. Its work remains rooted in the same belief that has guided it from the start: strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities.

At a glance

• What’s new: A refreshed brand identity, including new colors, design elements and messaging, plus a redesigned website
• Built around: The coalition’s three longtime focus areas of students, educators and community
• Milestone: 15 years since the coalition formally became a nonprofit
• Website goals: A clearer view of the coalition’s mission, history, programs, partnerships and impact, with simpler ways to donate, volunteer, attend events or partner

Three focus areas, one look

The new brand identity is built around the three focus areas that have shaped the coalition’s work since the beginning:

• Students
• Educators
• Community

Each is represented visually in the updated brand system. The coalition said its new colors, design elements and messaging are meant to capture the energy, optimism and partnership at the heart of its work.

A website built for getting involved

The redesigned website is intended to give visitors a clearer picture of the coalition’s mission, history, programs, partnerships and impact. It also offers easier paths for community members who want to:

• Learn more about the coalition
• Donate
• Volunteer
• Attend events
• Support public education
• Partner with the coalition

For an organization that depends on businesses, families and volunteers to fund its programs, making those steps simpler is a practical goal. Many nonprofits refresh their branding and websites periodically to keep their message clear and to make it easier for new supporters to find them online.

What the coalition does

The coalition describes itself as an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens’ organization. Its stated mission is to engage community members in public education and to advocate with one voice for the success of every child in Baldwin County. It appears in federal tax records as Baldwin County Education Coalition Inc.

According to the coalition, it serves roughly 50 public schools in Baldwin County and supports more than 5,000 students and 850 educators each year. It reports having invested more than $4.1 million in public education since its founding.

Its work includes:

• Scholarships, including the Baldwin Proud Future Teacher Scholarship, which encourages students to pursue careers in education and helps Baldwin County Public Schools employees continue their education, and the JLS International Vocational Scholarship. The coalition reports awarding more than $250,000 in scholarships.
• The Palm Project, which stocks school care closets with essential items for students in need. The coalition reports distributing more than 59,400 items.
• Support for educators, including professional development, recognition programs and the Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference.
• Community events, such as the Evening of Education Champions, a Teacher of the Year event, the Charity Chukkers polo event and the annual Golf Classic.

By the numbers

Public filings give a sense of the organization’s size. For the fiscal year that ended in December 2024, the coalition reported revenue of $439,678 and expenses of $430,917, according to its federal tax return.

Recent fundraising

The rebrand comes on the heels of another successful fundraising season.

In September, the 14th annual Baldwin Education Coalition Golf Classic, presented by Baldwin County Sewer Service, drew a sold-out field of 36 teams and 120 players to Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope. The tournament grossed $56,718, bringing its 14-year total to $407,136 in net proceeds for public education in Baldwin County. Baldwin County Sewer Service launched the tournament and chose the coalition as its beneficiary, and the event has grown into the coalition’s largest fundraiser.

Earlier in the year, the coalition held its Evening of Education Champions on Feb. 27 at The Venue in Fairhope. The event, with live and silent auctions, entertainment, food and drinks, raises money for the Baldwin Proud Future Teacher Scholarship Fund. The previous year’s event raised more than $58,000 for scholarships.

Why community support for schools matters

Baldwin County Public Schools is one of the largest school systems in Alabama, and its enrollment has grown along with the county, which has been among the fastest-growing in the state. Public funding covers the core costs of running schools, but groups like the coalition aim to fill gaps: helping teachers grow professionally, recognizing standout educators, supporting students whose families are struggling and encouraging young people to consider teaching careers at a time when many districts nationwide face teacher shortages.

Education foundations and coalitions of this kind exist in many Alabama communities, often working alongside but independently of the school districts they support. Because they can raise private money and bring business and civic leaders to the table, they can move quickly on needs that may not fit neatly into a public budget.

How to get involved

Residents who want to support public schools in Baldwin County can use the coalition’s redesigned website to donate, sign up to volunteer, learn about upcoming events or explore partnership opportunities. Businesses interested in sponsoring events such as the Golf Classic or the Evening of Education Champions can also reach out to the coalition through the site.

The coalition said the refreshed brand and website are intended to tell its story more clearly as it begins its next chapter, while keeping the focus where it has always been: on students, educators and the communities that support them.