Our Approach

Toronto Educational Opportunity Fund (TEOF) began rooted in the Toronto school system and continues to serve communities in need of nutrition. Based on the needs of a school, a subsidy is provided by TEOF to supplement nutrition programs.

Where does this subsidy money come from?

We hold Our Big 3 fundraising events each year: 

In addition, TEOF receives retirement donations from many former teachers, memorial donations and gifts of money from friends of TEOF and groups of children who want to help others. The interest from a capital fund is added to the proceeds of these events and donations to provide up to $100,000 annually.

Resources we use:

Our Story

TEOF was formed in 1980 under the auspices of Trustee Harold Menzies (in partnership with TBE Principals/Teachers) and alderman in the former City of Toronto. 

In his work, Harold observed an opportunity to improve educational outcomes for kids in his community. He wanted to create a fund that would assist young students to stay in school and complete their education.

As Harold was drawing his plans for a fund, a local research project had demonstrated that educational opportunity could be enhanced for children if they were adequately nourished. The focus of the fund was Kindergarten children.

TEOF’s original mandate remains. Since the amalgamation of the school boards, TEOF has continued to subsidize many nutrition programs where they're needed most.

Our Mission

For over 30 years TEOF, in conjunction with the former Toronto Board of Education (TBE), and now with the new Toronto District School Board, has sponsored and encouraged Kindergarten nutrition programs. 

Our mission includes nurturing co-operation among:

These connections allowed the programs to be expanded across the grades. Advocates for child nutrition were successful in this and today, some of the costs of school food programs are provided through the budgets of the City of Toronto and the Ontario provincial government.

Board Directors