From Cradle To College Foundation

FCTCF is dedicated to helping provide direct support to the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. The mission of ELC is to develop children’s skills to be successful in school and life, and additional funding streams from FCTCF supports and enhances ELC programs. Through the PEARLS program, FCTCF trains child care providers how to respond and act in threatening circumstances such as an active shooter situation. FCTCF also has one other main program – Operation W.I.T. (Whatever It Takes) – a program that gives parents the tools they need to better connect with their children and be more effective in their parenting.

FCTCF is actively applying for grants and local funding as an individual agency and in collaboration with partners.

FCTCF actively applies for grants and local funding as an individual agency and collaborates with partners such as ELC. FCTCF has already ready significant state and county funding for programs and continually looks for grant or funding opportunities that would benefit the organization. FCTCF also has an annual fundraising plan with two or three events that generate funds for the agency to fund its mission.

FCTCF enters into a shared services agreement with the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County to utilize staff, vehicles, and infrastructure. This allows FCTCF to tap into the vast knowledge and experience of the ELC staff and leadership who carry out the work needed to make the events possible, to work on grant submissions and presentations to potential funders. ELC is reimbursed for the work that staff carries out. FCTCF has two staff who oversee the admin and day-to-day running of the organization.

FCTCF has been operating the PEARLS program for over three years and continues to train child care providers across the state. There have also been several successful fundraising events – three Golf tournaments, one Roast of the Manatee County Sheriff, a Family concert – and plans for future events such as a Leader Prayer Breakfast. FCTCF also received a significant grant from Manatee County through the CARES Act funding. This money was sued to purchase a brand new school bus used as a Mobile Community Center. The bus helped distribute food to over 5000 families in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can also be used as a mobile book library and an educational vehicle equipped with modern technology and the capability to host outdoor lessons for children in line with social distancing. FCTCF stands ready to respond to the community ad's on-going needs and is determined to increase fundraising, so revenue streams flow back into the ELC to develop, support, and increase their programs.