SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, in support of Goodwill’s Pursuit of Education program. These funds will enable Goodwill team members who are Sarasota County residents and mid-career (ages 30-54) to earn market-relevant, post-secondary credentials in technology, which will lead to higher earnings.

The Pursuit of Education program will enable full-time employees to attend classes either online or in person, resulting in certificates in content areas such as the Microsoft Office Specialist, various CompTIA certifications, Python, and others. Goodwill will work with its training partners Manatee Technical College, Suncoast Technical College, and ed2go to enroll employees in these and other technology certification programs, based on the individual’s interests and preferences. Goodwill’s GoodPartner Coaches will ensure that each participant has the support (i.e., access to the internet, appropriate digital skills training, a digital device, arrangements for transportation, etc.) prior to enrolling in classes.

The goals for the program in the current fiscal year (August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024) are to enroll 10 team members in training; have at least seven team members achieve certification; and have at least five team members receive a raise and/or a promotion at Goodwill or be hired for a higher-paying job elsewhere.

“Research clearly shows that educational attainment is strongly related to both income and wealth, with the average annual earnings for those with industry-valued certifications nearly double that of high school graduates,” said Margie Genter, vice president of mission services for Goodwill Manasota. "Our Pursuit of Education program removes barriers that can get in the way of upskilling activities, such as the cost of tuition, access to digital devices and the internet, and the possibility of missing work due to classes. We are grateful to TD Charitable Foundation for its support, which will help our team members to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.” 

For more information about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org.

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

About the TD Charitable Foundation 

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing over 9.8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,100 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed over $305 million through donations to local nonprofits from Maine to Florida. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation is available at tdbank.com/corporate-responsibility/the-ready-commitment/funding-opportunities/.