The Immokalee Foundation

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The Immokalee Foundation (commonly known as TIF) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Immokalee and Naples , Fla., that focuses on providing a wide range of educational pathways to the youth of Immokalee. The Immokalee Foundation operates its own programs, partners with other organizations to bring state-wide and national programs to Immokalee, and distributes scholarship funding to college and vocational-school bound students. All TIF programs are administered according to an empowerment model that requires students to achieve and maintain high standards in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Foundation.

History and Programs

Founded in 1991 by philanthropist Parker Collier, The Immokalee Foundation was established as a vehicle for raising financial support for the residents of Immokalee by increasing awareness among nearby communities such as Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers. Initially, this mission was carried out through annual horse trials that raised money for educational and life services that would benefit the migrant population of Immokalee. As the Foundation's reputation and scope grew through the 1990s, Collier saw a need to refine TIF's goals. This resulted in the Millenium Campaign, an effort that led not only to an increased base of supporters and funding, but also spurred the board of directors' decision to focus solely on the children and teenagers in Immokalee, Laying heavy emphasis on education. In 2001, TIF's education-based approached was solidified through its partnership with the statewide Take STOCK in Children program for pre-college motivation and preparation. Soon after, TIF expanded into the range of vocational training and support as well. Today, The Immokalee Foundation administers seven core programs:

  • Take Stock in Children (TSIC)
  • Vocational Programs: Future Builders of America (FBA) and Auto Tech Club (ATC)
  • College/Vocational Success (CVS)
  • Direct Scholarships
  • The First Tee of Naples/Collier
  • Immokalee Readers
  • Community Grants