Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EFSC) to support “Partnering for Student Success,” its collaborative initiative with the Local College Access Network (LCAN).
The leveraged grant supports the EFSC’s work as backbone organization and convener of LCAN, a cross-sector group of education and youth services organizations and funders focused on increasing the rate of students, particularly those historically underrepresented in higher education, who pursue a purposeful postsecondary pathway.
The EFSC is committed to bringing together stakeholders in a structured way to identify and support the nearly 43,000 middle school age to 24-year-olds who face particular barriers, including being economically disadvantaged and the first in their families to pursue education beyond high school.
Jennifer Vigne, EFSC president, said, “The overarching goal is to level the playing field by providing them with resources and tools to access and navigate the postsecondary pathway from preparation to admission to completion.”
Through the collective long-term work of LCAN, the aim is to increase the percentage of working-age residents in Sarasota County with a high-value postsecondary certificate, degree, or training experience to 60% by 2030. Currently, 40% of Sarasota County residents hold such credentials or training.
“We recognize that increasing the talent pipeline is vital for Florida’s continued growth and economic prosperity, especially those who are limited-income, first-generation students,” said Gulf Coast President and CEO Mark S. Pritchett.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login