FutureMakers Coalition has awarded Glades Education Foundation $15,000 for Glades County Schools College & Career Readiness.
The funds will be used to help high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); increase the passing rate of rising seniors that have not passed at least one state mandated test through ACT/SAT boot camps; increase college tours of iTech Glades, Florida Southwestern State College, FGCU, South Florida State College and Palm Beach State College; and assist third graders in achieving level 3 or above on PM3 district results.
“The Glades Education Foundation was founded in August 2013 with the idea that a group of education-minded volunteers could fill in the financial and material gaps in the Glades County School District,” said Rosemary Fllori, executive director, Glades County EDC. “As a result of fundraising and grant writing, it has been able to provide library books, classroom grants, AVID programming, STEM enrichment, and much more to all the schools in Glades County. The Foundation is committed to supporting and implementing programs and activities of the Glades County School District to promote, encourage and recognize excellence in public education.”
FutureMakers Coalition aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of skilled working age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55 percent. It is the premier regional initiative in Southwest Florida, leading a network of more than 260 individuals and 180 cross-sector partner organizations. FutureMakers Coalition is regarded as one of Florida and the nation’s most advanced collective impact networks. Collaboratory provides backbone support for FutureMakers Coalition.
“FutureMakers partners, like the Glades Education Foundation, are essential in local efforts to expand opportunity and support best practices by meeting the unique needs of our rural communities,” said Tessa LeSage, chief impact officer, Collaboratory. “We look forward to continuing collaborations like these to achieve our shared goals to create a robust and resilient workforce and change lives in Southwest Florida.”
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 COLLABORATORY
Collaboratory is a regional community foundation with an evolved mission committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida’s major social problems by 2040. Not alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier.
Collaboratory provides community leadership, raises and coordinates funding, and disburses funds to organizations that are helping solve the problems our donors and the community have identified as priorities. Collaboratory also provides capacity building with training and resources for regional partners. Given the complexities of the social challenges in our region, Collaboratory ensures we are all working together and that every generous donor achieves the biggest impact with their funds. By using and sharing data to track progress, we ensure that donor dollars are best invested to move the needle on improving social issues.
Connection and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. Since 1976, we have made over $120 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we will collectively achieve our 2040 goal. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.
