The Immokalee Foundation is competing in A Community Thrives, sponsored by USA Today, a national fundraising challenge ending Friday, April 12. A Community Thrives is a nationwide program focused on helping nonprofit organizations by shining a national spotlight on their community building initiatives. The grant will benefit The Immokalee Foundation’s newest program, the groundbreaking Career Pathways Initiative – Professional Careers in the New Economy.
This new model recognizes that many well-paying professional jobs are available to students who earn industry-recognized certifications and credentials, in addition to professions that require a college or university degree. Through extensive collaboration with local middle and high schools, industry professionals and higher education institutions, this new Career Pathways Initiative creates opportunities for middle, high school and post-secondary students to identify their career path through networking, field trips, career panels, and after-school and summer career programming. Parents are involved early in the process, encouraging their student’s progress through paid internships and earning scholarships for post-secondary education from The Immokalee Foundation.
Sixteen competitive national project grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 will be open to The Immokalee Foundation upon its demonstration of public support through its Crowdrise funding page. The number of contributions, in addition to the total dollars raised, is a major factor in demonstrating community support for the project. To support The Immokalee Foundation, please go to www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/the-immokalee-foundation-florida and click the “Donate” button. Contributions of at least $10 will help The Immokalee Foundation qualify for the grants. All funds collected will directly benefit The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways Initiative.
The Gannett Foundation, sponsored by USA Today Network’s parent company, Gannett Inc., is offering more than a dozen grants totaling $2.3 million to organizations that are working to improve their communities, like The Immokalee Foundation. The grants program invests in organizations involved in projects related to education, arts and culture, wellness and other positive local initiatives.
The Immokalee Foundation provides a range of education programs that focus on building pathways to professional careers through support, mentoring and tutoring, and life skills development leading to economic independence. To learn more about The Immokalee Foundation, becoming a mentor, its signature events, volunteering as a career panel speaker or host, making a donation, including the foundation in your estate plans, or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 or visit https://immokaleefoundation.org.
