News Release: Children First Awarded More Than $400,000 to Advance Early Learning Initiatives

Children First, a nationally recognized nonprofit delivering high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening programs, is honored to announce more than $400,000 in recent grant support from philanthropic partners committed to advancing early learning, family well-being, and comprehensive services for children and families with the greatest needs.
 
These generous investments will help expand access to high-quality early learning, provide vital family support, and fuel key agency initiatives - including workforce development, the Changemaker Collective match campaign, and parent education through the award-winning Families First Institute.
 
Recent grant support includes:
 

• $175,000 – Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
  Changemaker Collective & Community Ambassador Initiative
• $70,000 – Anonymous Family Foundation
  Families First Institute and Family Strengthening Services
• $50,000 – Jean J. and Laurence S. DeLynn Foundation
  Changemaker Collective
• $50,000 – Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation
  Scholarships
• $15,000 – Suncoast Credit Union
  Scholarships for Comprehensive Services
• $10,000 – Wilson-Wood Foundation
  Scholarships for Comprehensive Services
• $10,000 – Evalyn Sadlier Jones Foundation
  Scholarships for Comprehensive Services
• $10,000 – The Libertore Fund for Children
  Classroom Expansion
• $10,000 – Fifth Third Bank
  Families First Institute
• $7,500 – Junior League of Sarasota
  Playground Improvements
• $5,000 – Bulova Gale Foundation
  Scholarships for Comprehensive Services
• $5,000 – Sarasota County Foundation
  Scholarships for Comprehensive Services

 
Each year, Children First serves hundreds of young children and their families through early care and education, health and developmental screenings, nutritious meals, emotional and behavioral support, and wraparound family services. Additional programming includes the Families First Institute, offering free courses in parenting, financial literacy, career readiness, and personal development.
 
“Our work is rooted in the belief that every child carries unlimited potential, and that families can thrive when given a fair chance,” said CEO Philip Tavill. “Each of these gifts removes barriers for parents, opens doors for their children, and strengthens the fabric of our community. We are profoundly grateful for this support.”