Children First has received a $175,000 grant from the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation to advance two strategic initiatives focused on strengthening comprehensive services and community engagement.

The grant includes $150,000 for the Changemaker Collective Challenge Match, inspiring leadership-level giving and broader community investment in Children First’s comprehensive services. An additional $25,000 will support the Community Ambassador Program, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen engagement and expand awareness of the agency’s mission.

“Virginia taught me that philanthropy begins with compassion. You have to genuinely care about the people you are trying to help. Children First puts that compassion into action by strengthening children, supporting families and building meaningful community connections,” said Bill Villafranco, Trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

The funding will help provide high-quality early childhood education, health and developmental services, nutritious meals, and individualized family support.

About Children First:

Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,600 Head Starts nationwide, Children First’s mission is: Strengthening children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. At multiple sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net.
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