Bradenton, FL – November 20, 2025
Imagine a stronger, more connected Manatee County—one where more parents can help their children with homework, more workers qualify for higher-paying jobs, and more neighbors can participate fully in the community. That’s the future we’re working toward through our 1% Initiative, a bold plan to help 680 adults improve their English and literacy skills by at least one full level by 2026.
This isn’t just a number. It’s a turning point.
Reaching just 1% of the adults in our county who currently struggle with literacy would change the trajectory of hundreds of families and strengthen our workforce and local economy for years to come.
But here’s the truth:
We can’t reach this goal without growing—and we can’t grow without you.
Why This Goal Matters
Adult literacy is foundational. When adults gain the skills they need, everything changes:
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Families become more stable.
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Employers gain stronger, more confident workers.
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Children do better in school.
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Communities become safer, healthier, and more connected.
And yet, demand has outpaced capacity for years. Today, learners are waiting for classes, teachers, and tutoring support. Many come to us with the most fundamental English needs and can’t get help anywhere else.
The only way forward is expansion—smart, strategic, responsible expansion.
What It Will Take
To reach our 1% impact by 2026, we must:
1. Nearly Double the Number of Classes We Offer
More locations, more teachers, more options. This ensures we can reach learners across the county, including those who work multiple jobs or care for young children.
2. Expand Our Volunteer Tutor Team
Our tutors are the heart of MLC. To support 680 learners to a full-level gain, we need more trained volunteers and the staff to guide them.
3. Strengthen Small-Group and Foundational English Programs
These programs serve adults with the lowest literacy levels, providing them with a place to go for beginner-level instruction when they have no other options.
4. Grow Workforce Literacy Opportunities
Partnering with employers is one of the quickest ways to improve wages, job stability, and economic mobility. We must grow this program significantly.
5. Provide the Wraparound Support Learners Need to Succeed
This includes:
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access to virtual learning
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Ellii-based guided coursework
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assessment and placement
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technology support
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foundational literacy for native English speakers
These supports ensure learners stay engaged long enough to reach a full NRS level gain.
The Investment Needed
Based on our 2026 implementation plan, we must raise approximately $145,000 in direct program costs to responsibly scale to the level the county needs.
This investment covers:
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doubling teacher-led classes
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expanding tutoring
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supporting small-group classes
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adding workforce programs
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staffing the Ellii support program
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expanding library and virtual programs
Every dollar contributes directly to instruction, assessment, and learner support.
And thanks to the Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, gifts between $5 and $500 can be matched (up to $3,000 annually)—instantly doubling your impact for local families.
Why We Can’t Do This Alone
We are the only organization in Manatee County providing free, leveled, proven curriculum to adults with the most fundamental English skills. The need is growing every month, and learners are turning to us with urgency and hope.
To reach the 1% goal, the community must walk with us.
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We need volunteers willing to become tutors.
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We need businesses and nonprofits that want to partner.
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And we absolutely need donors who can help us build the capacity required to serve 680 adults at life-changing depth.
Your Support Makes the Vision Possible
When you give, you’re not just donating to a program,
You’re opening doors for families who want to build stable futures.
You’re helping workers qualify for jobs that pay a living wage.
You’re strengthening the very fabric of our county.
Reaching 1% isn’t just a goal, it’s a commitment to our community.
And together, we can fulfill it.
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