Weekly Insights: Coastal Connections, Inc.
Founded in 2017, Coastal Connections, Inc. works to protect coastal habitats for sea turtle survival by educating and connecting people to the environment. The organization offers a number of programs that that work with a variety of audiences to involve everyone in the conservation success story of sea turtles.
IRCF recently awarded Coastal Connections $20,000 from the Community Enrichment Fund to support the K-5 Career-Based STEM Program. This program provides local students with early exposure to conservation careers that give them insight into how to protect and preserve their local natural resources. The STEM program utilizes multi-modal teaching techniques through a combination of presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities which achieve Florida Department of Education CPALMS required standards by mimicking real-world scientific activities. Since introducing the program to a small set of teachers in 2021, this program has been integrated into local schools through teacher support and a partnership with the Learning Alliance. This program has also been requested for homeschool “pop-ups” and added to after-school program schedules with partnering nonprofits. Coastal Connection’s STEM education program is available for Kindergarten through grade 5, focusing on real-world conservation issues.
Indian River Community Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking is aligned with a vision of a more healthy, prosperous, and generous Indian River County community. Grantmaking priorities are informed by the findings of the most recent community needs assessment and the most current data and information collected on Indian River Indicators. Grants from the Community Enrichment Fund are reviewed by a Grants Committee comprised of volunteers Suzanne Bertman, Pat Brier, Toni Hamner, Dale Jacobs, Wanda Lincoln, Dawn Michael, and Angelia Perry.
IRCF is holding informational sessions for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Indian River County who are interested in applying for a competitive grant. If interested, please call 772.492.1407 or email Brooke Sauserman to reserve your spot. Please read our Guidelines before registering.