United Way Suncoast Receives $147,132 Grant to Expand Child Care and Financial Wellness Support for Working Families
United Way Suncoast has received a $147,132 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to support two initiatives that help working families achieve stability and long-term success: the Quality Childcare Initiative and Financial Wellness at Work program.
The investment comes as communities across Florida face a growing shortage of affordable, high-quality child care. Research from the Florida Chamber Foundation shows that limited access to child care remains one of the most significant barriers preventing parents—particularly mothers—from fully participating in the workforce. Each year, nearly $5.4 billion in economic value is lost in Florida because working parents have to be away from their jobs while caring for children under the age of six. United Way Suncoast’s Quality Childcare Initiative addresses this challenge by strengthening early learning environments while supporting parents’ ability to work and advance economically.
Through the Quality Childcare Initiative, United Way Suncoast partners with early learning providers to improve classroom quality, expand professional development for educators and increase access to reliable, high-quality child care options. These efforts help ensure children are prepared for school while giving parents greater peace of mind and financial stability.
The grant also supports United Way Suncoast’s Financial Wellness at Work program, which provides confidential, one-on-one financial coaching to employees at participating organizations. The program helps workers reduce financial stress, build savings, manage debt and set achievable financial goals—outcomes that research consistently links to improved workplace performance, focus and retention.
“Families succeed when they have access to dependable child care and the tools to build financial stability,” said Ernest Hooper, Chief Communications Officer at United Way Suncoast. “This support allows us to strengthen both—helping parents stay engaged in the workforce while ensuring their children are learning and thriving in high-quality environments.”
United Way Suncoast serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, focusing on educational opportunity, financial security and community resilience through partnerships with employers, educators and community organizations.
For more information about United Way Suncoast’s Quality Childcare Initiative or Financial Wellness at Work program, visit unitedwaysuncoast.org.
About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast mobilizes communities to action for all. We give families and community members across our five-county footprint the “Freedom To Rise.” Founded in 1924, we enter our second century of service with a decided focus on uniting the region to generate support for hard-working families that stand one unexpected expense away from dire circumstance. We elevate early learning, energize middle school and high school youths and empower community members through financial security. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties by investing in services and programs that help people create the lives they imagine for themselves. We enhance the community by addressing emerging needs such as natural disasters, and we expand the capacity of our nonprofits to help our impact ripple through the region. Along the way, we lead, convene and collaborate with corporate supporters, individual donors, nonprofit partners and valued volunteers because we know – United We Rise, United We Win.
About Bishop-Parker Foundation
Inspired by the philanthropic legacies of our founders, the Bishop-Parker Foundation supports nonprofit and public partners who collaborate to advance the Manatee County community for current and future generations. For additional information, please contact Wendy Deming at wendy@bishopparkerfoundation.org.