Bradenton, FL — 5/1/26

The Manatee Literacy Council is proud to announce it has received a $6,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the development of more reliable and sustainable funding streams. Funding for this project is provided in part by a fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Capacity Grant program. Funding for this project is provided in part by the Community Foundation’s Anne Gordon Fund and Brad Baker Founders Fund. 

This grant will fund 50% of the cost of a professional development consultant who will work alongside the organization to identify, build, and implement diversified revenue strategies. The remaining funds needed to support this initiative will be secured through additional grants and community support.

“This investment is about building a stronger future for our organization and the learners we serve,” said Michelle Desveaux McLean, Executive Director of the Manatee Literacy Council. “By strengthening our fundraising strategy, we can ensure that more adults in our community have access to the literacy services they need to succeed.”

The Manatee Literacy Council currently provides free Adult ESL and Adult Basic Education programs to Manatee County residents, helping adults improve their reading, writing, and English communication skills, critical tools for employment, family stability, and community engagement. As part of this effort, the organization is also exploring the expansion of its workforce literacy program to better support local businesses and help prepare a stronger, more skilled workforce.

By improving employees’ English communication, reading comprehension, and workplace readiness, workforce literacy programs can help businesses increase productivity, reduce turnover, and improve safety outcomes. At the same time, employees gain the skills needed to advance in their careers, earn higher wages, and contribute more fully to the local economy, creating a meaningful return on investment for both employers and the broader community. This capacity-building effort will allow the organization to move beyond short-term funding challenges and create a more stable financial foundation to expand services and reach more learners in need.

About Manatee Literacy Council
The Manatee Literacy Council has been empowering adults in Manatee County through literacy since 1978. As a nonprofit organization, it provides free Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs to help individuals improve their reading, writing, and English communication skills. Serving more than 100 learners each quarter with the support of over 100 volunteers, the organization offers one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, and workforce literacy programs. By helping adults gain the skills they need to navigate daily life, support their families, and pursue better employment opportunities, the Manatee Literacy Council is building a stronger, more connected community.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $605 million in more than 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare, and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant $542 million to nonprofits in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit cfsarasota.org or call 941-955-3000.