UnidosNow Receives Capacity Building Grant From Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
Funding Will Support Expansion of Staff and Services in the Community
(April 10, 2023) Local nonprofit UnidosNow was recently awarded a capacity building grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to expand both its staff and services in the bi-county region to strengthen its support of the Hispanic/Latinx population in earning post-secondary credentials.
The grant will allow UnidosNow to increase staff, offer contract personnel full-time positions, and maintain a stable workforce. It will also assist the nonprofit in expanding its highly successful Future Leader programs to serve more students and their families in Sarasota and Manatee counties through education, college preparation, leadership training, community service, and civic engagement.
The 2021 census showed that Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic in Florida, increasing by almost 30% per year - or five times that of non-Latinos. “With more than 100,000 Hispanic individuals living in the area, UnidosNow must also grow to meet the rising needs of our local community,” explains Executive Director Cintia Elenstar, “and the Barancik Foundation’s ongoing support of our organization is ensuring a brighter future for our region.” As the only group in Southwest Central Florida dedicated to this community, UnidosNow provides culturally and linguistically competent services focused on helping individuals.
To further its ability to build a sustainable future, UnidosNow is also using a portion of the Barancik Foundation grant to establish an endowment fund named after the recently retired executive director Luz Corcuera, who led the organization for the last seven years and established it as the highly-respected local nonprofit it is today.
“Our investment into this incredible organization is because of its leadership and impact,” commented Barancik Foundation President | CEO Teri A Hansen. “Luz did a remarkable job laying the groundwork for a strong nonprofit with real, measurable results. Cintia is continuing that legacy and, through this endowment, building a sustainable future for an important organization that is changing lives every day.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the endowment fund can contact UnidosNow directly at info@unidosnow.org.
About UnidosNow
Founded in 2010, with a mission to elevate the quality of life of the growing Hispanic/Latinx community through education, integration, and civic engagement, UnidosNow has established itself as a leader in postsecondary education attainment. UnidosNow empowers leaders of tomorrow with its intergenerational programs, including the Parent Leadership program, which offers parents the skills to navigate the education system to advocate for their children; and the Future Leaders program, which provides college preparation for students interested in attending college or pursuing a high-quality technical certification. Visit UnidosNow.org for more information.
About Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
The Charles and Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation – a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida. Barancik Foundation. Barancik Foundation creates initiatives and awards grants in Sarasota and beyond in the areas of education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment, and medical research. For more information, visit http://www.barancikfoundation.org/.