When it comes to the future and fabric of a community, there may be nothing more crucial than education. The Independence County Public Education Foundation was formed to address the importance of K-12 and continuing education for improving quality of life and bolstering economic prosperity in the region. At a time when financial barriers to college and low age jobs pose significant challenges for American families, the Foundation has worked in conjunction with the IMPACT initiative for excellence to bridge the equity gap in Independence County. The resulting Independence Promise scholarship program will provide widespread access to higher education for students throughout the county.