BRADENTON, Florida (February 24, 2022) – Foundation for Dreams was awarded $10,000 through The Bishop-Parker Foundations Fund of Manatee Community Foundation. This grant will be used to support our Dream Oaks Camp program with general program supplies and camperships so that children needing financial assistance may attend one full week of the ’22 Dream Oaks Camp program.
Foundation for Dream’s mission is to celebrate the abilities and develop the strengths of children with special needs and chronic illnesses ages 7-17 by collaborating with families to provide individualized family support, and recreation in a camp
environment.
“Receiving the MCF grant will make a huge impact on the families we serve, roughly 90% of our families need financial assistance to send their children to camp,” said Elena Cassella, Executive Director of Foundations for Dreams. “The Manatee Community Foundation’s generosity will allow us to increase the capacity and quality of our adaptive program, as well as give more children an unforgettable experience this summer.”
Foundation for Dreams’ Dream Oaks Camp program provides children with special needs exposure to quality results-based programming that allows them to engage in adaptive activities, learn new life skills and develop productive behaviors. Children learn to recognize others as individuals, not by their disabilities and no children are turned away for financial, behavioral, or medical reasons. Dream Oaks Camp not only provides a safe place for children to be themselves, but it gives parents invaluable respite time.
Manatee Community Foundation continues to focus on a results first framework to help us make better decisions based on how organizations can move the needle for their clients or the community. They are especially interested in how the work of nonprofits are addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
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About Foundation for Dreams
About the Manatee Community Foundation
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Founded in 1996, Foundation for Dreams is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that celebrates the abilities and development of the strengths of children with special needs and chronic illnesses ages 7-17. Its main program, Dream Oaks Camp, is a year-round camp that supports the mission of Foundation for Dreams by collaborating with families to provide individualized result-based goals, family support, and recreation in a camp environment. For more information, please visit foundationfordreams.org
Manatee Community Foundation partners with citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service—now and forever. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $43 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit
www.ManateeCF.org
or call (941) 747-7765.