FutureMakers Coalition announces a charitable gift of $10,000 from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. The funds will be used to support collaborative efforts to provide community STEAM events, the distribution of over 160 take-home STEAM kits, small-group reading instruction, healthy snacks, transportation assistance, and educational resources for children and families in Southwest Florida. FutureMakers Coalition partners include Room to Read, Southwest Florida Library Network, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
The program will provide summer and after-school reading support for elementary-aged students, particularly English language learners. In Hendry County, where more than half the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and in Glades County, where many families face economic hardship, this project will help close learning gaps and build stronger academic foundations for students in need.
Examples of the program’s activities include:
- Fostering family literacy by reading a book together and asking questions and promoting self-to-text connections for higher learning
- Engaging in games-based performance and critical thinking through art projects, geo-literacy, and cultural activities
- Building transferable skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, planning, creativity and critical thinking
- Promoting compassion for self, others, and the natural world in line with FGCU’s Roots of Compassion and Kindness Center’s research on topics such as friendship and reciprocity, implementing kindness in daily life, practicing compassion, and engaging in empathy
“We are incredibly grateful for this investment from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation,” said Tessa LeSage, Chief Impact Officer at Collaboratory. “This funding allows FutureMakers partners to bring high-quality, hands-on learning and literacy support directly into the communities that need it most, helping children develop strong reading skills, confidence, and a love of learning.”
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates two cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $45 million.
“Setting children up for successful futures is vital to thriving communities and our mission calls for us to help improve the lives of those we serve,” Jeff Kunberger, Executive Director of Suncoast Foundations. “This donation will take children to new and exciting places with STEM activities, growing their minds and developing stronger futures for all of us,” he added.
About FutureMakers Coalition
FutureMakers Coalition is a regional collective impact initiative that has been designated a Talent Hub by Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation to support local efforts to increase educational attainment. Formed in 2015 around existing regional collaborations, the Coalition is committed to creating a cradle-to-career pathway to ensure success for traditional students and adult learners. FutureMakers Coalition was one of Lumina Foundation’s 75 national Community Partners in Attainment and is a member of the National Talent Network. Collaboratory provides backbone/administrative support to FutureMakers Coalition.
FutureMakers Coalition encourages businesses to join and invest in sustaining this community-changing initiative by visiting https://www.futuremakerscoalition.com or emailing Tessa LeSage at tlesage@collaboratory.org.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $19 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 full-service branches and serves more than 1.3 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $54 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
