United Way Suncoast invests $14.13M in community programs

United Way Suncoast (UWS) will invest $14.13 million in community programs that encourage educational opportunity and financial security. 

The Tampa-based nonprofit will fund 67 programs over a span of three years throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties. 

UWS strives to serve the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These individuals often live paycheck to paycheck due to the rising costs of living (childcare, transportation, housing, et cetera). 

The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation is another organization receiving support from United Way Suncoast.

Of the total amount committed, $9.07 million will go towards educational programs that support grade-level reading, youth development and high school graduation and kindergarten readiness. The remaining $5.06 million will back financial security programs such as workforce training and job placement.  

Projects selected will receive annual grants between $20,000 to $100,000. 

“Pinellas was one of our most active sections of our applications,” said Josh Dunn, United Way Suncoast Vice President, Investments and Partnership Strategies. “Thirty percent of the investment that we’re making is going to organizations that are serving Pinellas County residents.” 

Specific Pinellas programs that will be awarded funding include Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg’s Graduate Support Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s youth mentorship, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay’s academic success services and Florida Dream Center’s ALICE-focused work readiness program.  

Each program was selected through a competitive review process. 

Forty external reviewers who have experience in industry-related, education or nonprofit work went through the applications. All of the reviewers also live in United Way Suncoast’s service area and provided “local expertise,” Dunn added. “We are really focused on ensuring that individuals are getting into jobs and careers that go beyond the ALICE threshold of survival.”

 “In the ALICE report, we know that half of [the] families in our area are not earning enough to be stable and while someone may be able to get a job, the wage of that job may not be enough to actually allow them the stability that leads to financial security and educational opportunity for themselves and their children.” 

For the United Way Suncoast team, supporting programs is more than just providing funding. Dunn and his colleagues collaborate with program leaders and encourage them to work alongside fellow grant recipients to maximize their impact.  

“We know there are so many pressures and barriers put on the individuals that staff nonprofit programs that we want to make sure that when we make this investment it’s not just ‘a check and we’re done’ but we’re actually helping them to have the space to breathe and grow and make [their] program effective,” he explained. 

“That’s again one of the reasons why we invest for more than one year so that they have the time, the longevity, the runway to see these programs through and achieve long term results.” 

The funding cycle will begin July 1 and continue through June 30, 2028. 

United Way Suncoast also offers disaster relief funds and ACE grants (Access, Capacity, Equity) throughout the year, among other programs. 

To learn more about its services, visit unitedwaysuncoast.org