Florida Chamber and Step Further Form a Strategic Partnership

Florida Chamber of Commerce Aims to Raise Over $250 Million for Public Schools Through Partnership with Step Further Scholarship Fund to Promote America’s New Education Freedom Tax Credit

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Step Further Scholarship Fund to promote the new Education Freedom Tax Credit, a new federal initiative that will allow taxpayers to redirect a portion of their federal tax liability to fund scholarships for low-income students in Florida public schools.

More than 711,000 Florida children live in poverty, making expanded educational opportunity essential to strengthening Florida's future workforce and economic prosperity. Accessing quality education for families stuck in generational poverty is one of the Florida Prosperity Initiatives “ten root causes” of poverty that must be overcome and this new opportunity unlocks huge potential for families.

“The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity Initiative believes that in order to break cycles of generational poverty, we must expand pathways to opportunity for every child, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “The brand-new Education Freedom Tax Credit can help connect students to learning environments and resources in Florida’s public schools that support long-term success.”

The partnership was highlighted during the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit on June 23 in Tampa, which brought together business, education, nonprofit, and government leaders to discuss workforce development and talent pipeline challenges facing Florida.

Presenters included U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds from Florida’s 19th Congressional District and Republican gubernatorial candidate; Stasi Kamoutsas, Commissioner of Education for the State of Florida; and Henry Mack, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Executives from AdventHealth, Arthrex, Coca-Cola, PNC Bank, and other leading Florida employers shared their perspectives on these workforce development issues. Additionally, nonprofit leaders served as session panelists, including leaders from Collaboratory, Florida Gulf Coast University, the Florida Philanthropic Network, the Florida Virtual School, and Tampa General Hospital.

“The new federal scholarship aligns perfectly with the mission of the Chamber’s Prosperity Initiative and talent goals,” said John Kirtley, founder and chairman of Step Up For Students. “We are honored to be a sponsor of the summit and grateful for this partnership.”

“The Florida Chamber's statewide network helps connect Florida employers with opportunities to invest in students and strengthen our future workforce,” said Rachel Jones, Senior Director of Fundraising, Step Further Scholarship Fund.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit Explained
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to eligible Scholarship Granting Organizations, including the Step Further Scholarship Fund. Incredibly, rather than increasing their overall tax burden, participants can redirect a portion of their federal tax liability to support scholarships for low-income public school students in Florida.
Through this initiative, Step Further Scholarship Fund will award scholarships that help students access educational resources and services such as tutoring, technology, therapy, after-school programs, and other learning supports.

An Opportunity for Florida Employers
While there is no cost to Florida employers, they can support the initiative through payroll-giving programs that make participation simple for employees while expanding scholarship opportunities in local communities.
Step Further Scholarship Fund works directly with employers to implement payroll deduction programs, provide technical support and supply employee communications resources, minimizing administrative burden while maximizing participation.

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Navigating New Horizons Conference 2026

Preparing Schools for the Education Freedom Tax Credit 

A new era of educational opportunities is on the horizon. 

With the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) set to launch in 2027, schools and organizations across the country are preparing for one of the most significant developments in scholarship funding in recent history. At this year's Navigating New Horizons, Facing the Future Together Conference, Step Up, Step Further was proud to help lead that conversation, equipping school leaders and partners with the insights, infrastructure, and strategies needed to prepare for what's ahead. 

During our Education Freedom Tax Credit sessions, we explored what this landmark legislation means for the future of educational opportunity and how educational leaders can position themselves to maximize its impact on the students they serve. 

Preparing for the Education Freedom Tax Credit 

The Education Freedom Tax Credit represents a transformative new opportunity to expand educational choice through student scholarships. 

Beginning in 2027, eligible taxpayers will be able to donate to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit, creating a powerful new mechanism to increase scholarship opportunities for students. 

As excitement around the initiative continues to grow, so do the questions. How will it work? What does implementation look like? How can organizations prepare? And what role will Scholarship Granting Organizations play in making this opportunity accessible to students? 

These were some of the key conversations taking place throughout Navigating New Horizons and our Education Freedom Tax Credit sessions.

Partnership Will Be Key 

As schools and organizations explore the opportunities created by the Education Freedom Tax Credit, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: participation depends on partnering with an approved, experienced Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), like Step Up, Step Further. 

Powered by Florida's most trusted scholarship partner, Step Up, Step Further provides a turnkey solution designed to help schools and organizations maximize the impact of the Education Freedom Tax Credit and expand educational opportunity for more students. 

From scholarship administration and compliance to donor engagement, fundraising strategy, marketing resources, and ongoing support, our proven infrastructure removes complexity, and it allows our partners to focus on what matters most: creating life-changing opportunities for students. 

With more than 25 years of scholarship expertise and a trusted, scalable platform, we're ready to help organizations confidently prepare for the next era of scholarship funding. 

Built on Proven Experience 

Preparing for the Education Freedom Tax Credit isn't just about understanding new legislation; it's about partnering with an organization with the experience and infrastructure to help bring its promise to life. 

Step Up, Step Further brings decades of scholarship expertise, proven technology, and established operational excellence to every partnership. 

Our mission is simple: to make it easier for organizations to expand educational opportunities and connect more students with powerful educational options. 

As the Education Freedom Tax Credit launches in 2027, we're committed to helping our partners navigate this new landscape with confidence, clarity, and the support they need to make a lasting impact. 

Join the Conversation 

The Education Freedom Tax Credit has the potential to reshape the future of scholarship funding and expand educational opportunities for students across the country. 

If your school or organization is exploring what this initiative means and looking for an approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) with the experience, infrastructure, and expertise to help you prepare, Step Up, Step Further is ready to partner with you. 

Together, we can help create more opportunities for students and shape the next chapter of educational choice. 

Learn more at StepUpStepFurther.org or connect with our team to start the conversation. 

Why Choosing the Right SGO Partner Matters

A message to families, schools, and communities navigating the Education Freedom Tax Credit 

When families think about education, they aren’t thinking about systems, platforms, or processes. 

They’re thinking about their children. 

They’re thinking about the late nights spent helping with homework, the uncertainty of whether their child’s school will still be there next year, and the hope that one more opportunity might make a difference. They’re thinking about trust and who they can turn to when the path forward feels overwhelming. 

That’s why, as the Education Freedom Tax Credit takes shape, who you choose to partner with matters just as much as the opportunity itself.

Education Is Personal.  

At Step Up and Step Up, Step Further, we believe scholarships are not transactions. They are commitments. 

Commitments to families who are doing everything they can to support their children. Commitments to schools that open their doors every day with care and purpose. Commitments to students who deserve to be seen, supported, and believed in. 

Families deserve to be treated with dignity and care. At Step Up, Step Further, that belief shapes every decision we make and every system we build. 

Step Further: A Different Approach To Scholarships 

There are organizations that approach scholarships as volume. As throughput. As something to scale quickly, efficiently, and impersonally. 

That is not who we are. 

Families are not case numbers. Parents and guardians are not line items. Students are not outputs. 

At Step Up, we go beyond eligibility and compliance. We walk alongside families, answering questions, explaining options in plain language, and providing real support when it is needed most. Our teams are made up of people who understand that trust is earned one interaction at a time, and that clarity and compassion matter just as much as accuracy. 

Because when a family reaches out for help, they are often doing so at a moment of vulnerability. They deserve more than a transaction. They deserve a partner.

Schools Need More Than Infrastructure. They Need Stewardship. 

Schools, public, private, and charter, are pillars of their communities. They serve students with diverse needs, limited resources, and unwavering commitment. 

When schools choose Step Up, Step Further as a partner, they are choosing more than technology or administration. They are choosing an organization that understands the responsibility to steward donor trust, protect school stability, and keep students at the center of every decision. 

Step Forward operates with a long‑term mindset because sustainability matters. This is not about short‑term gains or quick wins. It’s about building systems that schools and families can rely on, not just today, but for years to come. 

Mission Is Not a Slogan. It’s Daily Practice. 

Being a nonprofit means we are accountable to something bigger than growth metrics. 

It means every dollar is treated with care. Every family is treated with respect. Every decision is filtered through the question: Does this help students thrive? 

Our mission guides how we design our systems, how we communicate with families, how we support schools, and how we prepare for the future of the Education Freedom Tax Credit. We are building something meant to last, because families and students deserve nothing less. 
 

Choosing The Right Partner Matters. 

As families, schools, and communities consider the Education Freedom Tax Credit, we encourage one simple question: 

Who will treat this responsibility with the care it deserves? 

At Step Up For Students, and Step Up, Step Further, we believe that educational opportunity is sacred work. It requires heart, humility, and a deep respect for the people we serve. 

Families deserve a partner that leads with compassion, operates with integrity, and stays grounded in the belief that education changes lives, one student, one family, one school at a time. 

Because this isn’t about moving money. 

It’s about moving lives forward.