Tallahassee non-profits awarded $25k for youth and college readiness programs

For More Information:
Rachel Fackender, Moore
850.224.0174 or rachelf@themooreagency.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Nov. 4, 2018) -- Hancock Whitney—one of the strongest, safest financial institutions in the country—has awarded $25,000 in competitive grants to Boys Town North Florida and the Florida State University Foundation as part of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. The competitive grants align with Hancock Whitney’s larger community development efforts throughout the Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas regions.

Hancock Whitney received and considered 266 grant applications from qualifying 501 (c)(3) organizations providing affordable housing, small business, economic development, and youth programs to their local communities. In total, Hancock Whitney awarded $140,000 to 12 non-profit organizations across the Gulf South through the first ever Competitive Grant Competition.

“At Hancock Whitney Bank, service goes well beyond the walls of our bank,” said Emory Mayfield, Hancock Whitney market president. “Our winners in Tallahassee are bright, shining forces in our community, and we’re proud to take part in helping them further their missions and, in turn, helping this great city where we live and work grow into a more vibrant community.”

Boys Town North Florida is one of the Tallahassee recipients, receiving a $10,000 grant to aid in their mission of strengthening family relationships and to enhance their Family Home Program. Since 1983 the organization has developed a comprehensive system of services for at-risk children and distressed families in the area. These services include both crisis interventions that save children from harm and preventive solutions that keep families together.

“Boys Town North Florida is sincerely grateful to Hancock Whitney for investing in the basic needs of one of our Family Homes for an entire year,” said Dena Strickland, development director for the organization. “This investment not only provides help, healing, and hope for the most vulnerable children in our area, but it will go far in making their futures much brighter, as they receive the right treatment at the right time, from our evidenced-based model of care.”

The second recipient is the Florida State University Foundation, awarded a $15,000 grant. Funds will help further build the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement’s College Reach-Out Program (CROP). In 2000 FSU united its efforts in promoting educational success, college enrollment, and postsecondary completion of low-income, first-generation, and at-risk students into a single department named the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement. Today, the CROP has grown to serve almost 200 students annually and has witnessed 100 percent high school graduation and college enrollment rates over the last four years of operation.

“Through the generous support from Hancock Whitney, FSU’s Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) will be able to continue and expand our efforts to assist low-income students in Leon County,” said Tadarrayl Starke, FSU CARE director. “These funds will allow students to be connected with the necessary tools, resources and support network they need to flourish now and in the collegiate environment.”