{"id":79226,"date":"2026-09-11T00:56:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T04:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=79226"},"modified":"2026-09-11T00:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T04:56:15","slug":"suncoast-credit-union-awards-3-75-million-in-education-funding-largest-investment-in-foundations-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/09\/11\/suncoast-credit-union-awards-3-75-million-in-education-funding-largest-investment-in-foundations-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Suncoast Credit Union awards $3.75 million in education funding, largest investment in foundation\u2019s history"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c8bba9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c8bba9;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"738\" height=\"210\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-8-1.webp?fit=738%2C210&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-79227 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-8-1.webp 738w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-8-1-300x85.webp 300w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foundation expanding impact with five new partners receiving funds<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuing its commitment to supporting students across Florida, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation will award nearly $3.75 million in grants for the 2026-2027 school year. The funding will support educational initiatives that empower students from kindergarten through college to succeed both in and out of the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This commitment reflects a 13% increase over the previous year and highlights the Foundation\u2019s ongoing mission of supporting the education, health and emotional well-being of children in communities served by Suncoast Credit Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$3.75 million in total grants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>13% increase year over year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$3.23 million for K-12 education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>$520,100 for colleges and universities Funding will be distributed across 18 Florida counties plus statewide programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFounded in 1934 by educators, Suncoast Credit Union is proud to support students, educators and communities across Florida, a commitment we\u2019ve upheld for more than 90 years,\u201d said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union. \u201cEducation is one of the most important tools for changing lives and strengthening communities. Through these investments, we\u2019re helping create opportunities for the next generation to learn, grow and excel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year, the foundation is expanding its support to include new communities. The foundation added five new education partners, including the Dixie, Marion and Osceola education foundations, along with Polk State College and South Florida State College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The topic of literacy emerges as a major theme in this year\u2019s funding. Multiple grants support literacy-related items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Early literacy initiatives in Hillsborough<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family literacy programs in Lee County<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book vending machine projects in Hernando and Charlotte counties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Literacy and school supply initiatives in Levy County<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early language and literacy programs at Florida Gulf Coast University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The funding will also help other innovative programs including AI training for teachers and college readiness\/workforce development initiatives for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hillsborough County will receive the largest county-level investment in the credit union\u2019s service area. In Southwest Florida, the Foundation will invest significantly in education initiatives across Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties, supporting classroom grants, family literacy programs, teacher development and student scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Foundation receives four cents each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card. Grants are awarded exclusively to tax-exempt organizations within the credit union\u2019s service area that demonstrate measurable impact on the education, health and emotional well-being of children. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has provided more than $68 million in funding to organizations around Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The funds generated stay in local communities. As a result, every card swipe helps support schools and organizations serving children where members live. It&#8217;s a simple but powerful way for members to give back and make a lasting impact close to home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur members help generate funds every time they use their debit or credit card, a unique way to see that money reinvested back into the community,\u201d said Jeff Kunberger, executive director of Suncoast Credit Union Foundations. \u201cThis type of commitment underscores our &#8216;people helping people&#8217; philosophy, quite literally, and we&#8217;re thrilled to deliver that support to students across Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Foundation expanding impact with five new partners receiving funds Continuing its commitment to supporting students across Florida, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation will award nearly $3.75 million in grants for&hellip; 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