SRQ Magazine | May/June 2025: Giving Coast Donors' Giving Guide - Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County

Sarasota + Manatee Donors' Guide to Giving

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Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County

AT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SARASOTA COUNTY (ELC), WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS.

Our mission is to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond by making high-quality early learning experiences accessible and affordable for families in our community. Through strategic programs and community collaborations, we help shape the future by empowering our littlest learners from the start, ensuring they thrive by the age of five. ONE OF OUR CORE INITIATIVES IS THE SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM, which provides financial assistance to income-families seeking quality childcare. We also administer the state’s local Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program, which offers free preschool to all Florida 4-year-olds, regardless of household income.

Our Aspire Teacher Training Institute provides free, hands-on, year-round professional development to educators, including our pioneering REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM offering a free career launch to new preschool teachers and a free certification pathway to established teachers. WE ADDRESS THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS by working directly with families, childcare providers, and community partners to eliminate barriers to early learning. Through parent engagement and outreach efforts, we connect caregivers with valuable resources to support their child's development.

Events like Storybook Street enhance literacy and help build home libraries, while our annual Provider Conference reinforces our role as the central hub for early education training. Additionally, our partnerships with local chambers, fellow nonprofits and dedicated volunteers strengthen our commitment to fostering a connected community that prioritizes early learning and understands its lasting impact. QUALITY CHILDCARE IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS—when children have a strong start in life, families thrive, businesses benefit from a reliable workforce, and communities become more resilient. Investing in early learning creates a ripple effect that shapes a more prosperous future for all.

Our Wish List

• Donate new books, art supplies, and playground materials for preschools

• Sponsor professional development opportunities for early educators

• Provide scholarships for aspiring preschool teachers

• Partner with businesses to launch early literacy and family engagement initiatives

• Volunteer for our Literacy Buddy pen pal program, preschool makeovers, and special events.

Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County | 1750 17TH STREET | BUILDING L SARASOTA, FL 34234 | ELCSARASOTA.ORG | 941-954-4830 | INFORMATION@ELCSARASOTA.ORG

Sponsorship by Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County; the State of Florida, Florida Department of Education's Division of Early Learning, and in whole or in part by Sarasota County Government.