Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards $10,000 grant to the

Manatee Literacy Council

The Manatee Literacy Council is proud to announce that it has been awarded a capacity-building grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. This generous grant will enable Manatee Literacy to support the costs of critical assessments for adult literacy learners, empowering more adults in Manatee County to achieve independence through literacy. This grant was made possible through the Edward K. Roberts Fund for Emerging Needs.

 Adult learners at the Manatee Literacy Council are individuals from all walks of life, seeking to improve their literacy skills to navigate daily challenges, secure employment better, and contribute more fully to their communities. The journey to literacy begins with a proper assessment of each learner’s current skills, a process that has both practical and financial challenges. 

Thanks to the support from the Community Foundation, the Manatee Literacy Council can provide these essential assessments free of charge to learners, allowing for more personalized learning plans and improved outcomes. The assessments will help the Council to more effectively identify the unique needs of each learner, measure progress over time, and ensure that every individual receives the targeted support they require. 

“We are immensely grateful to the Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of literacy and investing in our capacity to serve the adult residents of Manatee County,” said Michelle Desveaux McLean, Executive Director of the Manatee Literacy Council. “With this grant, we can remove a financial barrier that could prevent us from providing critical services.”

For more information on the Manatee Literacy Council and how you can support its mission, please visit www.manatee-literacy.org or contact email [email protected]. Volunteers are always welcome!

About the Manatee Literacy Council 

The Manatee Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults in Manatee County through literacy. By offering free, one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction, the Council helps learners develop the skills they need to achieve personal and professional independence. Their mission is to empower Manatee County residents through literacy.

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 $488 million in more than 1,580 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $40 million dollars 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 more than $435.8 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.