Raymond James announces inaugural Ready for School cohort, committing over $7.5 million to nonprofits supporting local students
The program, designed to help students prepare for brighter futures inside, outside and beyond the classroom, will award over $2.5 million annually for three years to 11 Tampa Bay organizations.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James is deepening its long-term commitment to the community with the launch of Ready for School, a new signature charitable initiative committing over $7.5 million to nonprofits dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities and support systems for students in the Tampa Bay area.
Ready for School champions a holistic, research-backed approach to student success, investing time, resources and expertise to help students achieve their unique goals inside, outside and beyond the classroom. As part of the program, Raymond James has pledged a three-year, $2.5 million plus annual commitment to the first cohort of recipients, which includes 11 organizations, each focused on addressing specific student needs.
- Inside the classroom: Nonprofits exposing students to innovative classroom experiences, supporting visionaries who create them and backing the educators who teach them. Benefiting organizations include 3DE Schools by Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, LiFT Academy, Pinellas Education Foundation, Sing Out and READ, and Teach for America Central Florida.
- Outside the classroom: Summer and supplemental learning initiatives, mentorship programs and before- and after-school experiences designed to keep students safe and engaged when school is not in session. Benefitting organizations include Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, Friends of the Children, and the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA.
- Beyond the classroom: Community groups providing children and families with proper access to nutrition, clothing, mental health resources and other basic needs critical to student success. Benefitting organizations include Hero to a Child, St. Pete Free Clinic and Starting Right, Now.
"Raymond James has always remained guided by our core principles – a commitment to people, our values, and a forward-looking vision," said Chair and CEO Paul Reilly. "The Ready for School initiative reflects the core tenets that have been fundamental to our firm for over six decades, supporting future generations and strengthening the remarkable contributions of our advisors and associates in their communities."
Ready for School aims to amplify the longstanding charitable giving and volunteer efforts of Raymond James' advisors and associates. In addition to financial support, the program celebrates ongoing volunteer efforts and seeks to open formalized avenues for further community engagement and service opportunities. Participating nonprofits will also benefit from participating in the program's collaborative community, where they can form new connections with peers, exchange ideas and share best practices.
The community organizations selected for the initial cohort were chosen through a rigorous invitation-only application and review process. Among other criteria, participants were selected based on their proven ability to deliver programs that address specific benchmarks linked to graduation rates and future success: improving students' reading proficiency through the third grade, helping them pass algebra by the 9th grade and engaging them through out-of-school programs.
"Ready for School embodies our commitment to measurable and impactful community support," said President Paul Shoukry. "We are proud to support organizations that create the right conditions for students to explore their talents, overcome challenges and achieve critical milestones essential for long-term success."
The inaugural selection of beneficiaries marks the start of a broader vision to expand the initiative beyond the Tampa Bay region in the coming years.
For more information about Ready for School, please visit www.raymondjames.com/ready-for-school.
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 8,800 financial advisors. Total client assets are $1.6 trillion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.
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