Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, in support of Goodwill’s Pursuit of Education program. These funds will enable Goodwill team members who are Sarasota County residents and mid-career (ages 30-54) to earn market-relevant, post-secondary credentials in technology, which will lead to higher earnings. The Pursuit of Education program will enable full-time employees to attend classes either online or in person, resulting in certificates in content areas such as the Microsoft Office Specialist, various CompTIA certifications, Python, and others. Goodwill will work with its training partners Manatee Technical College, Suncoast Technical College, and ed2go to enroll employees in these and other technology certification programs, based on the individual’s interests and preferences. Goodwill’s GoodPartner Coaches will ensure that each participant has the support (i.e., access to the internet, appropriate digital skills training, a digital device, arrangements for transportation, etc.) prior to enrolling in classes. The goals for the program in the current fiscal year (August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024) are to enroll 10 team members in training; have at least seven team members achieve certification; and have at least five team members receive a raise and/or a promotion at Goodwill or be hired for a higher-paying job elsewhere. For more information about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org.