Children First, a nationally recognized nonprofit providing high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening services, is honored to announce more than $150,000 in recent grant support from philanthropic partners dedicated to advancing opportunities for children and families in the community.

As the organization marks its 65th anniversary, these investments support a range of essential services, including early learning, nutrition, mental health, and family strengthening services.

Recent grant support includes:

• $50,000 – Anonymous Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation for Scholarship and Mental Health Support
• $25,000 – PNC Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $14,000 – Suncoast Charities for Children, Inc. for Crisis Fund; Full Tummies, Flourishing Minds Nutrition Program; & Classroom Sensory Support
• $12,500 – Harry Sudakoff Foundation, Inc. for Scholarship Support
• $10,000 – Eluned & Edward Russell Charitable Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for Comprehensive Services
• $10,000 – Fifth Third Foundation for the Families First Institute
• $8,000 – Harold C. & Jacqueline F. Bladel Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $5,000 – Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $5,000 – Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch for the Full Tummies, Flourishing Minds Nutrition Program
• $4,691 – Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation, Inc. for the Meals in Motion Nutrition Program
• $3,000 – Appleby Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $2,500 – Plantation Community Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $1,750 – MSC Foundation Inc. for Comprehensive Services
• $1,500 – The India Benton Lesser Foundation for Comprehensive Services
• $1,400 – Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation for Comprehensive Services

“These investments directly support the children and families we serve every day,” says Philip Tavill, President & CEO. “As we celebrate 65 years of service and my 30th year with the organization, I’m especially grateful for the partners who continue to invest in this work and the future of our community.”

About Children First:

Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,600 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 multiple 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.
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