AMPLIFY YOUR ACTIONS

At United Way Suncoast, we’re proud to serve as the lead convener of BankOn Suncoast. We stepped into this role because we believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration to create real, lasting change. The BankOn model brings together financial institutions, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders around a shared mission: ensuring everyone has access to safe, affordable, and effective banking services.

But BankOn is about more than opening accounts. It’s about opening doors—to financial security, stability, and opportunity.

This past year, we’ve welcomed several new financial institutions to the coalition, including Florida Central Credit Union, Hancock Whitney, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union. Together, we’ve expanded BankOn Suncoast’s reach and impact through powerful banking access integrations—made possible by the commitment and vision of our financial and community partners.

In Manatee County, we launched a new banking access initiative with Turning Points of Manatee, bringing banking services directly to individuals and families experiencing housing instability. By offering safe, low-cost accounts on-site, we’re helping to remove barriers and empower people to take charge of their financial futures.

In Sarasota County, we embedded BankOn into the Summer Youth Employment Program, connecting young people with certified banking accounts and financial education as they receive their first paychecks—helping them build positive financial habits from day one.

And in Hillsborough and Pinellas, we’re collaborating with CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas to integrate banking access and financial education into youth workforce development programs.

These aren’t just promising pilots—they’re powerful examples of what’s possible when systems align. They reflect the kind of innovation, collaboration, and deep commitment we hope to spotlight and build on through this summit.

Of course, there’s still more work ahead.

Too many individuals in our communities remain unbanked or underbanked. Too many face language barriers, a lack of trust in the financial system, or past experiences that have made access feel out of reach. And too many haven’t yet had the chance to move beyond the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

Check out the report below and plan to join us for next year's annual summit, so you can learn how to extend financial inclusion to every deserving household.

Supercharging Financial Inclusion

Everyone deserves a chance to build a better future. That message rang loud and clear at this year’s BankOn Suncoast Summit, where community leaders came together to champion financial empowerment.

💼💳From the power of second chances to innovative banking solutions for ALICE households, the summit reminded us that progress happens when we collaborate with purpose.

United Way Suncoast proudly supports BankOn’s mission to connect individuals with safe, affordable banking options, because financial stability is the foundation for the Freedom to Rise.

Read how we’re working to open doors ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZp_SkwN

Get Ready. Now.

Hurricane season is just around the corner. Being financially prepared is one of the best ways to reduce stress when a storm hits. Make sure to create an emergency budget and keep track of important documents in case you need to evacuate.

Thanks to a generous grant from Verizon, United Way Suncoast is able to provide critical disaster preparedness resources to help you and your family feel more secure.

Get more tips and resources to prepare for hurricane season on our Disaster Resiliency page.👉 https://lnkd.in/e4uRS9gv

Check out this Daytime interview with UWS CEO Jessica Muroff and UWS Disaster Resilience Officer Heather Koester.

You may groan. You may grimace. Or, you may consider spending the next few minutes with the latest Freedom To Rise podcast so you can learn how to get prepared, and how United Way Suncoast continues to lead when it comes to community resiliency.

Listen here or wherever you stream your podcasts: https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/podcast/

Summer Time and The Reading Is Inspiring

Summer Learning remains a key component of United Way Suncoast’s education initiatives, including Summer Care, which is now in its 20th year and has extended to all five counties in our footprint. We're not just reversing the summer slide for nearly 1,000 students, we're elevating their reading and math skills while connecting their parents/caregivers to valued services that can give them the Freedom To Rise.

For more information on our Summer Care program, visit: https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/what-we-do/education/summer-care/

To celebrate the success of our Summer Learning initiatives and generate needed support, we're inviting everyone to come out to one of the three Jeni's Ice Creams locations in Tampa Bay: The Pearl, Sparkman Wharf in Tampa and University Town Centre in Sarasota.

Be A Voice That Matters

How do you deepen your involvement in public policy matters?

Pinellas County School Board member Katie Blaxberg, former Hillsborough County senior administrator Lucia E. Garsys, FAICP and public affairs consultant Samantha Greer provided insight on the subject at "Advocacy In Action" last Wednesday night at the Tampa Club.

Staged by United Way Suncoast's Women United affinity group and sponsored by Amerant Bank, the event illuminated the paths people -- and especially women -- can take to engage in public policy matters. WFLA anchor/reporter Ty Russell spurred the conversation as the moderator. USF professor and Women United member Sandra Stone also shared the latest statistics about the plight of ALICE families. Attendees came away informed, inspired and entertained.

Learn more about Women United here: https://lnkd.in/gXqYmrC3

Red Star Foundation

As we come out of the Memorial Day weekend, United Way Suncoast continues to stand with the Red Star Foundation, a nationwide organization dedicated to honoring and supporting the families and loved ones of current military, veterans and first responders who have tragically lost a loved one to suicide.

UWS recently awarded the foundation an ACE Grant to support its awareness campaign and hopefully reduce the number of veteran suicides.

Read more at our blog here:https://lnkd.in/g5K5BwZP

🌟 A Huge Thank You to Raymond James! 🌟

We are incredibly grateful to Raymond James for their generous sponsorship of our Juneteenth Literacy Kit Project. Thanks to their support, 180 kits have been assembled for students in our community, which plays a vital role in promoting awareness and understanding of Juneteenth. Your dedication and partnership mean the world to us. Thank you for helping us make a difference! ✨

At United Way Suncoast, we mobilize communities to action so all can thrive. We advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices that unite, rather than divide our community, providing all the freedom to rise because United We Rise, United We Win. June invites us to celebrate Pride Month and Juneteenth, while also preparing for hurricane season. Together, we can empower every individual and family by staying connected and resilient. Explore ways below to volunteer and support our Suncoast Community.

 VOLUNTEER

• Bakas Equestrian Center: Horses for Handicapped opportunity offers horseback riding to children, adults and specialize in those with disabilities. Riding provides them with increased self esteem, balance, coordination and improved attention span. Volunteers will support with a variety of tasks such as barn cleaning, horse grooming, and arena set up/breakdown. Sign up here.

• YMCA Veggie Van: The Tampa Metropolitan YMCA Veggie Van's goal is to improve overall well-being by distributing fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables directly to communities. Volunteers will pack produce bags that will be distributed to community members. View available shifts here.

• Home Makers of Hope: Home Makers of Hope provide essential furnishings and household items to families in need. There are a variety of opportunities with Home Makers of Hope to support families in our community. View available shifts here.

• View our opportunity calendar for other ways you can volunteer in our community. View calendar.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Corporate or civic partners are invited to sponsor and create one of the below kits as an engagement opportunity for their team of volunteers. 

• Thank you to Raymond James for sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Kits!

• Thank you to EY for sponsoring Disaster Preparedness Kits!

DIY OPPORTUNITIES

Community volunteers are invited to create the below kits that would be distributed to community members in the Suncoast region.

• Food Support Kits

• Hygiene Kits