Our Story - The Immokalee Foundation

Turning hope into reality

Located in Southwest Florida, just 35 miles east of Naples, Immokalee is home to a large migrant community, with a population of approximately 40,000 during the peak winter season. Many of the residents came to America and became naturalized citizens, and they work hard in the agricultural fields to support their families – and feed the nation. Immokalee’s families suffer intergenerational poverty and very low educational attainment. Immokalee’s per capita income is $17,927, ranking it 477th out of 485 communities in Florida. All public schools in Immokalee qualify for the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, a non-pricing meal service option for the nation’s schools with students from the highest poverty rate demographics. In order to find better opportunities for their children, these families need our help.

For more than a quarter century, The Immokalee Foundation has worked tirelessly to change the lives of the Immokalee community. With a focus on education, career and life skills, the Foundation offers students the tools, opportunities and support they need to succeed at each level of their education – whether they choose college, vocational programs or certifications that lead to financial independence.

Under the guidance of the Foundation’s mentors, these boys and girls grow to become young women and men who learn that through education and determination, they can transform their dreams into a better life for themselves and their families.

Our story is their story

Philanthropist Parker Collier founded The Immokalee Foundation in 1991 to help improve the future of Immokalee’s children by raising awareness and financial support from neighboring Neapolitans. The Immokalee Foundation began by committing financial assistance to existing initiatives in education, health care and career development programs — contributions that would help the children and the community as a whole.

Toward the end of the 1990s, Collier aimed to expand The Immokalee Foundation’s role in the community by administering in-house programs. The ensuing Millennium Campaign, which raised $2.5 million between 1999 and 2001 and became the corpus of The Immokalee Foundation’s endowment, spurred a range of programs centered on an empowerment model that pairs opportunity with accountability.

In 2001, The Immokalee Foundation’s education-based approach was solidified through its partnership with the statewide Take Stock in Children program that provides a unique opportunity for students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. The Immokalee Foundation began to offer additional educational programs, summer enrichment opportunities, camp experiences and workshops.

The Immokalee Foundation’s leadership took another look at the community through “A Study of Immokalee’s Children: Analysis of Needs & Strategic Actions” conducted by the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning in 2006. Clarifying the need for intensive early reading, after-school enrichment, college preparation and vocational training, the study became an important tool in measuring The Immokalee Foundation’s impact and shaping its program expansion.

From early childhood literacy education and college prep to career development and advanced vocational training, The Immokalee Foundation fosters a brighter future through individualized plans offering “Pathways to Success.” Today, The Immokalee Foundation helps more than 1,300 students annually by nurturing each child’s development as a student – and as a citizen – through education.

By The Numbers

Immokalee Foundation students served through our education programs

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High School Graduation Rate for students who participate in our programs

Number of elementary students in our Immokalee Readers program

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Foundation graduates placed in postsecondary education at universities, colleges or technical programs

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Graduation rate for Foundation students pursuing postsecondary education

Whistleblower Policy

The Immokalee Foundation requires directors, officers and employees to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. As employees and representatives of The Immokalee Foundation we must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling our responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Reporting Responsibility
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and others to raise serious concerns internally so that The Immokalee Foundation can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions. It is the responsibility of all board members, officers, employees and volunteers to report concerns about violations of The Immokalee Foundation’s code of ethics or suspected violations of law or regulations that govern The Immokalee Foundation’s operations.

No Retaliation
It is contrary to the values of The Immokalee Foundation for anyone to retaliate against any board member, officer, employee or volunteer who in good faith reports an ethics violation, or a suspected violation of law, such as a complaint of discrimination, or suspected fraud, or suspected violation of any regulation governing the operations of The Immokalee Foundation. An employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

Reporting Procedure
The Immokalee Foundation has an open door policy and suggests that employees share their questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints with their supervisor. If you are not comfortable speaking with your supervisor or you are not satisfied with your supervisor’s response, you are encouraged to speak with [insert here another title, such as Executive Director, or a board member, if the organization is very small and involving the board would be appropriate]. Supervisors and managers are required to report complaints or concerns about suspected ethical and legal violations in writing to the Immokalee Foundation’s Human Resource’s Director who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints. Employees with concerns or complaints may also submit their concerns in writing directly to their supervisor or the Executive Director or the organization’s Compliance Officer.

Compliance Officer
The Immokalee Foundation’s Human Resource’s Director is responsible for ensuring that all complaints about unethical or illegal conduct are investigated and resolved. The Compliance Officer will advise the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors of all complaints and their resolution and will report at least annually to the Chair of the Finance Committee on compliance activity relating to accounting or alleged financial improprieties.

Accounting and Auditing Matters
The Immokalee Foundation’s Human Resource’s Director shall immediately notify the Chair of the Finance Committee or Executive Director of any concerns or complaint regarding corporate accounting practices, internal controls or auditing and work with the committee until the matter is resolved.

Acting in Good Faith
Anyone filing a written complaint concerning a violation or suspected violation must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

Confidentiality
Violations or suspected violations may be submitted on a confidential basis by the complainant. Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.

Handling of Reported Violations
The Immokalee Foundation’s Human Resource’s Director will notify the person who submitted a complaint and acknowledge receipt of the reported violation or suspected violation. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted by the investigation.