UnidosNow recently announced a multiyear commitment of $600,000 from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation in support of the UnidosNow Future Leaders Academy.
The four-year commitment will support the program through 2029. The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, a long-term champion of UnidosNow, is matching the funds for the first year of the grant, which is dedicated exclusively to the organization’s Future Leaders Academy and the College Completion Program.
“The Johnson Scholarship Foundation is proud to support UnidosNow through this grant partnership,” said Bobby Krause, chief executive officer. “The organization’s commitment to providing wraparound services through its Future Leaders Academy and dedication to supporting the Latino community in Southwest Florida will enable even more first-generation students to succeed in college and participate more fully in the benefits of our society.”
Through the Johnson Scholarship Foundation and Barancik Foundation, UnidosNow will serve as the bridge connecting their generosity to the students who need it most.
“UnidosNow has delivered remarkable results for a growing number of Latino students and families in our community,” said John Annis, interim president/CEO of the Barancik Foundation. “We are confident that the organization will turn this new investment into educational opportunity and economic mobility for even more students pursuing their American dream.”
The Future Leaders Academy is UnidosNow’s flagship program, dedicated to empowering first-generation, low-income Latino students to dream big and pursue postsecondary education. In a region where college enrollment and completion rates continue to lag among Latino/Hispanic students, the program provides critical support, guidance, and opportunity to help students achieve academic success and build a pathway to a brighter future.
“This is a significant milestone for UnidosNow and the students we serve,” UnidosNow board chair Kelly Kirschner said. “The Johnson Scholarship Foundation invests across the U.S. and Canada, and we are honored to have their trust and support to leverage the Barancik Foundation’s significant commitment to augment the work we do in the Manasota region.”
About UnidosNow
Founded in 2010 to provide formal, organized representation for the growing, but underrepresented Latino community in Sarasota and Manatee counties, UnidosNow has evolved from an all-volunteer group to a private nonprofit, empowering hundreds of families annually on the path to achieving their American Dream. With a mission to elevate the quality of life of the Hispanic/Latino community in the region through education, integration, and civic engagement, UnidosNow has established itself as a leader in the field of post-secondary education attainment, creating a pipeline from elementary to high school and through college, for first-generation, low-income students.
“This commitment is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when local and national partners come together with shared values and commitment to opportunity,” said Executive Director Evelyn Almodóvar. “This investment strengthens our ability to walk with first-generation Latino students from aspiration to achievement, helping turn hard-earned dreams into lasting outcomes.”
To learn more about UnidosNow, visit unidosnow.org.
Submitted by Su Byron
