Children First has received a $50,000 grant from Truist Foundation that will help build pathways to economic mobility for Children First families by providing access to resources through the re-design of the agency’s website. This is the largest gift Children First has ever received from the foundation. 

As the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, Children First serves hundreds of children and their families living at or below the Federal Poverty Level ($23,030 for a family of three) across North Port, Sarasota and Venice each year.

For the re-design, Children First is partnering with Captivation Agency, an award-winning creative storytelling collective based in Sarasota with more than 20 years of industry experience. The creation of the new organizational web property will be designed to maximize the opportunity for future growth and expansion. 

“As the children and families we serve across Sarasota County are seeking self-sufficiency, having access to the resources they need to thrive is critical to their overall well-being and success,” says CEO Philip Tavill. “We are deeply appreciative to Truist Foundation for their support as it will allow us to serve every single stakeholder within the Children First community.” 

“At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, which drives us to create meaningful change for families in Sarasota,” says Keith Johnson, Truist Senior Vice President & Wealth Advisor and Children First Board Director. “We are proud of Truist Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Children First because of the shared vision both organizations have for building pathways to economic mobility by helping ensure opportunity for all within our community, leading to a better quality of life for everyone.”

About Children First:

Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,800 Head Starts nationwide, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being. At 15 sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net.

About Truist Foundation:

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.