Empowerment and Success

Community Knowledge

Academic success plays a vital role in shaping life outcomes, and every student deserves an opportunity to thrive. However, many students face challenges that hinder their progress in school, underscoring the need for systems of support. Data from the Florida Department of Education shows that for the 2023-2024 school year reveals a range of outcomes throughout the four-county region. In Sarasota County, 68% of students met the grade-level standards for reading and writing skills, while in Charlotte and Manatee counties, 57% and 51% respectively met those same standards. In DeSoto County, only 38% of students met grade-level requirements.

Additionally, data from the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity reveals that nationally, 20% of students – approximately one in five – experience learning disabilities that impact their ability to learn, with many cases going undiagnosed. By focusing on training teachers in the Science of Reading, these professionals become better equipped to teach literacy to all students, including those with dyslexia.

Community Impact

Since 2014, the Community Foundation has lead Sarasota County’s collaborative initiative to address barrier to student success through the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Our approach incorporates a 2Gen philosophy so that children are prepared to attend school, continue to learn during summer breaks, and the adults in their families are also supported in learning and career pursuits.

To address certain learning disabilities, our Strauss Literacy Initiative was established in 2019 to help children and families, alongside teachers learn to identify dyslexia and developing learning and instruction skills to make improvements in reading proficiency.

Community Knowledge

 Our community is nationally recognized for its vibrant arts scene and our acclaimed arts organizations are a vital part of what makes this region so special. In our region, 117 nonprofits registered in The Giving Partner identify Arts and Culture as their primary cause. Many provide educational outreach programs that inspire students to connect with local arts and cultural offerings. These experiences cultivate curiosity, foster creativity, and ignite imagination, enriching students’ lives and strengthening the cultural fabric of our community.

Community Impact

EdExploreSRQ is a dynamic search platform connecting K-12 students with hands-on learning experiences in arts and culture, along with science, history, and more. In the 2023-2024 school year, EdExploreSRQ served more than 17,000 students and 740 teachers. Each opportunity featured on the platform is carefully reviewed and approved by Sarasota County School District leaders to ensure the connections align with curriculum standards. Funding is available through a rolling application process, so teachers can apply for funding throughout the school year. In collaboration with The Patterson Foundation, we established the EdExploreSRQ Endowment Fund, a lasting resource designed to increase awareness and support for this transformative program.

Community Knowledge

According to our research built on 40+ years of awarding scholarships, academic and career success as an adult are connected to three factors: being prepared for higher education, having funding for college, and having the supports to complete a certificate or college program.

Community Impact

For students of all ages seeking to pursue higher education, the Community Foundation awards more than $2 million in scholarships each year, alleviating unnecessary financial stress to allow postsecondary learners to focus on their own path to academic and professional success. Scholarship opportunities are available to both youth (younger than 24 years of age) and adult learners (at least 24 years of age). A 2Gen Scholarship is also available to connect low-income parents with children attending Alta Vista, Emma E. Booker, Gocio, and Tuttle elementary schools with educational pathways to build skills that lead to family-sustaining wages.

Community Knowledge

In today’s evolving economy, education is key for opportunity, equipping individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce, and allowing communities to cultivate a thriving workforce. Parents who earn a college degree or postsecondary career credentials are likely to significantly their income and provide a more stable life for their families, and their educational pursuits strongly influence their children’s success. In fact, the two most reliable predictors of a child’s outcome in life are their parents’ income and educational attainment.

By focusing on postsecondary education pathways, we can empower adults to gain workforce skills and credentials that lead to meaningful employment and economic stability. While nearly 90% of adults have a high school diploma, only about a quarter are enrolled in postsecondary endeavors on average across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Expanding access to higher education creates pathways to better jobs, strengthens our economy, and fosters a more vibrant and resilient community.

In Florida, the majority of the top five industries with the highest total number of jobs in 2021—health care and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services, professional technology and science, and educational services—rely heavily on a highly-educated workforce to fulfill their key responsibilities. Higher education not only equips individuals with the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in these industries, but also broadens career opportunities and paves the way for professional advancement, ultimately improving both individuals and their communities.

Community Impact

We support learning and career path programs that have potential to increase household income to create generational wealth improvements. Opportunities range from: 

• Earning important credentials and certificates through our Age 24+ scholarship program 
• Progressing in careers in programs like the Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition to increase the number of local skilled nurses 
• Exploring career opportunities through paid internship programs such as the Environmental Discovery Awards Program and DIAL (Diversity in Arts Leadership) 

Community Knowledge

Ensuring Lifelong Connections is a pursuit that fosters both individual and community well-being. Connection to community plays a vital role in fostering social cohesion and supporting the mental and physical well-being of individuals within a community. Often, connections to community fade over a person’s lifetime, and many in the aging population may be particularly prone to isolation, which can have significant personal and community-wide consequences. In our four-county region, nearly half of all residents belong to the Baby Boomers or Silent generations.

In 2022, more than one-quarter of adults in our four-county region reported feeling socially isolated. By providing opportunities for lifelong connections, we can strengthen the connections that help contribute to a healthier, happier, and more resilient region.

Community Impact

Recognizing the importance of accessible and inclusive public spaces, together with an anonymous donor, we have committed more than $1 million to The Bay Park Conservancy. This investment supports free, vibrant programming and creates opportunities for connection, celebration, and shared experiences.

In its first year, The Bay Park quickly became a cherished gathering place, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors. By acting as a stage for public life where neighbors connect, cultures intermingle, and friendships are formed, The Bay fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens community bonds, and most importantly, serves as a hub for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and unite.