PLANit Sarasota Receives $100,000 Thanks to Support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Corporate Sponsors

Through a unique philanthropic collaboration, PLANit Sarasota received $100,000 in grants to promote postsecondary education with a focus on historically underrepresented students who rarely go on to achieve college degrees or trade diplomas. These grants were made possible through an initial investment of $50,000 from Florida Philanthropic Network, with funding from the Helios Education Foundation and Kresge Foundation. Their support was matched dollar for dollar by us at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and corporate sponsors. Collaboration between nonprofit and for-profit sectors is the power of PLANit Sarasota, a collective effort to invest in students and a strong local workforce.

“PLANit Sarasota consists of dozens of community partners, including our school district, youth-serving organizations, colleges, and funders working together to introduce students to the exciting college and career opportunities in their backyard,” shared Jennifer Johnston, Director of Community Leadership with Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Education Foundation of Sarasota County President and CEO Jennifer Vigne said, “Since 2018 when The Education Foundation of Sarasota County began serving as the convening organization for PLANit Sarasota, it has been exciting to see cross-sector partners collaborating on both short-term and long-term solutions to multi-dimensional problems in education and career planning. As each stakeholder pools their unique knowledge base to reach for the greater good, they are helping to achieve transformational change in extending outreach and services to all youth and their families throughout Sarasota County.”

The support of business partners fueled the success of the matching opportunity. Florida Power & Light Company and PGT Innovations joined Bank of America (BofA), which provided a $25,000 grant toward the match. For many years, BofA has worked with nonprofit partners, local organizations, and leaders across public and private sectors to help support workforce development and education. “Bank of America shares PLANit’s mission of strengthening Sarasota by providing underserved members of the community access to critical workforce development opportunities,” said Erik Vatter, president, Bank of America Sarasota-Manatee. “Our partnership will help the next generation reach their full long-term potential and accomplish their educational and career goals.”

PLANit Sarasota will utilize the funds to support Sarasota students in achieving their career and educational goals post-high school. Offering success coaching, digital tools, college application support, and financial aid guidance, PLANit Sarasota, our community’s Local College Access Network, is critical to the future success of our student population. “Gulf Coast is proud to partner with the corporate sector, individual donors, and PLANit Sarasota to help students make their dreams come true,” said Jennifer Johnston, Director of Community Leadership with Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The Florida Philanthropic Network College Access and Success Initiative (CASI 2.0) Challenge Match grant was made possible by Helios Education Foundation and Kresge Foundation.