From Cradle To College Foundation
Building Dreams - Transforming Lives - Impacting Generations
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Operation W.I.T. - Whatever It Takes
W.I.T. provides a multi-faceted approach to supporting young children to grow and develop to their maximum by partnering with churches throughout the community. The program is provided either with our Mobile Learning Lab or The Book Bus. Parents receive the Effective Black Parent curriculum with a trained professional while an early learning educator offers children the Connect for Learning curriculum. Parents and children regroup then participate in an early childhood activity. Parents practice skills with the support of the parent educator. Parents and children will be invited to participate in a family field trip!
Mission
The goal of Operation W.I.T. is to improve overall educational outcomes indirectly, by giving parents the tools they need to better connect with their children and be more effective in their parenting.
PEARLS
The Preschool Emergency Learning System (PEARLS) team travels throughout the state, sharing valuable training, providing awareness and exposure to a new way of thinking, including options for acting in threatening circumstances.
Evaluation of their environment, discussion, and planning are immediate outcomes of this training, as well as communicating with their children and parents to establish preparation and protection as a priority. Training has been proven to give individuals the ability to make decisions and act quickly in situations where danger exists, such as CPR. PEARLS trainees firmly support this concept and the necessity of thinking in a new way to handle potential events in our world today.
An underlying theme throughout the training is collaboration and communication with law enforcement to mitigate risk and save lives. Events such as active shooting are often over before law enforcement has arrived at the scene, so it is critical that citizens understand options such as Evacuation, Lockdown with Barricade, and Counter to protect themselves and those in their care.
Where we work
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of staff members certified in subject area training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of child care providers who have participated in PEARLS trainings
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
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.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
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.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
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.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
From Cradle To College Foundation
Board of directorsas of 3/11/2021
Judge Marc Gilner
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data