Media Release | October 8, 2025
Brock Communications
TAMPA, Fla. The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation will award a total of $3,268,750 in grants for the 2025- 2026 school year to support education initiatives across Florida. This commitment reflects a 4% increase over the previous year and underscores the Foundation’s ongoing mission to promote the education, health, and emotional well-being of children in communities served by Suncoast Credit Union.
From a broad perspective, $2,834,750 in grants will benefit K-12 schools statewide, with targeted funding addressing critical needs such as early literacy, chronic absenteeism, STEAM education, family engagement, and classroom innovation. Colleges will receive $434,000 to support programs, including campus food pantries and scholarships to help combat student food insecurity and advance academic opportunities.
County-specific investments will include $544,100 in Lee County towards a new childcare center for educators, and over $527,500 in Hillsborough County to tackle attendance issues, expand early literacy, and support teacher and administrator development initiatives. Pasco County received funds for a mobile podcast studio to highlight student and community partnerships. In Charlotte County, grants will strengthen emergency preparedness by providing additional automated external defibrillators with training for schools.
In Southwest Florida, nearly $220,000 in grants will support Collier County’s Champions for Learning scholarship program and education initiatives, while Pinellas County will receive $75,000 focused on STEM classroom grants and family literacy partnerships.
Since 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has invested more than $55 million in education and youth well-being programs. The Foundation is funded with 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’s service areas that demonstrate measurable impact on the education, health, and emotional well-being of children.
“Suncoast Credit Union is proud to support students, educators, and communities across Florida by continuously investing in innovative and impactful educational initiatives,” said Suncoast President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “By advancing and supporting education, we help build stronger, more vibrant, and prosperous communities where opportunities can grow and thrive,” he added.
