ABOUT US
APEF is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the nation through public education. We work at the intersection of education, economics, and opportunity—empowering students, supporting educators, and partnering with communities to prepare the next generation for financial success and workforce readiness.
Our Mission
To equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in life beyond the classroom—financially, professionally, and personally.
Our Vision
A future where every student—no matter their zip code—graduates with the tools to manage money wisely, pursue meaningful careers, and contribute confidently to the world around them.
Public education is vital for tomorrow's success.
David Pickler began his nonprofit journey in 2014. While serving for 12 years as Chairman of the Shelby County School Board, David used 100% of his school board salary to fund the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation. After the merger between Shelby County Schools and Memphis City Schools – and the subsequent demerger of the individual school boards– the foundation effectively disbanded and David was given the opportunity to transition the funds into seeding and creating his own foundation, originally named the Pickler Foundation, before transitioning into the American Public Education Foundation.
The original intention of the American Public Education Foundation was to complement in-class teaching and learning with service learning projects that promote civic engagement, character development and global citizenship among K-12 public school students. In 2019, we narrowed our focus to two pillars: financial literacy and workforce development.
As our organization continued to grow and adapt to the changing landscape of public education, we recognized the need to expand our impact and resources to support students and teachers across the country. This realization prompted a significant shift, leading us to transition from a foundation to a public charity. By becoming a public charity, we aim to broaden our outreach and enhance our ability to provide essential resources that empower educators and students nationwide. This transition allows us to engage with a wider network of partners, increase our funding opportunities, and implement innovative programs on a larger scale. Our commitment to financial literacy and workforce development remains at the core of our mission, and we are excited about the possibilities this new phase brings. Through these efforts, we strive to create a more equitable and empowering educational environment for all students.
Our History
What We Do
APEF focuses on two key areas of impact:
Financial Literacy Education
We are proud to be a national leader in K–12 financial literacy. Our free curriculum includes fully-developed courses, standards-aligned lesson plans, interactive classroom activities, and a unique animated video series designed to engage learners of all ages. These resources are built to help students—from kindergarten through high school—develop lifelong money management skills and make informed decisions about saving, spending, credit, and investing. We also provide professional development, policy resources, and legislative tracking to support educators and advocates working to expand financial literacy in schools, communities, and entire states.
Workforce Development
We connect education to opportunity by building bridges between students, school systems, and industry. Through initiatives like West TN Worx, we help students explore careers, gain hands-on experience, and build meaningful mentorships. We also convene regional school districts to work collaboratively on shared workforce goals—bringing a long-overdue K–12 perspective to the table in workforce development planning. Our work is shaping a replicable model that empowers public school systems to become driving forces in their local economies.
Why Financial Literacy and Workforce Development?
At APEF, we focus on two areas that impact every individual—regardless of background, career path, or life stage. No matter what profession a student pursues, they will need to manage money, make informed decisions, and navigate an ever-evolving job market.
Financial literacy is essential for lifelong stability and success. From budgeting and saving to understanding credit, insurance, and investing, financial knowledge empowers individuals to make confident choices that shape their future. Yet far too many students graduate without these foundational skills—leaving them vulnerable to debt, poor planning, and financial insecurity.
Workforce development is just as critical. Students need exposure to real-world careers, opportunities to build relevant skills, and access to industry mentors who can help them see what’s possible. By connecting K–12 education directly to workforce pathways, we help students discover meaningful careers and prepare for the demands of a dynamic economy.
These two areas are not just complementary—they are fundamental. As a nonprofit, we believe it's our responsibility to provide equitable, accessible tools that close opportunity gaps and prepare all students—not just for tests, but for life.
Nine out of 10 school-age children attend America’s public schools
(Over 50 million nationwide)
National Center for Education Statistics
A Catalyst for Positive Change
APEF partners with public school advocates from all walks of life – lawmakers, leaders, and ordinary Americans – to “keep the American Dream alive” for our nation’s K-12 students. We believe that high-quality public education is the pathway to a stronger America.
We seek to identify and aggregate “the best of what we know.” The future of education is dependent on bold ideas, “outside-the-box” creative thinking and scalable best practices designed to improve teaching and learning and strengthen America’s public schools.
Our programs and services complement classroom-based teaching and learning, building “life skills” - civic engagement, character development and global citizenship - that empower students to thrive in today’s complex 21st century global economy.
Together We Can. Together We Must.
David A. Pickler
Executive Director
David Pickler and Pickler Wealth Advisors are major funders of the administrative and operational costs of APEF.
100% of the funds donated have gone toward programs centered around providing high-quality education for our nation's students.