Southwest Florida FutureMakers Coalition

Program Description:  

FutureMakers is the education and workforce initiative of Collaboratory, which has served as Southwest Florida’s leading community foundation since 1976. Collaboratory provides significant funding to results-driven nonprofits who work together to create lasting impact in the five-county service area, spanning Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.   

An example of how Collaboratory goes beyond funding solutions, FutureMakers offers a collaborative, data-driven approach, activating a vast array of community partners who convene to address the root causes of the issue. Specifically, FutureMakers convenes partners from different sectors that share the same goal: building a skilled and resilient workforce in Southwest Florida. 

The initial regional collaboration began in 2013 to increase the number of graduating high school students completing the Free Application for Student Aid, and the FutureMakers coalition officially launched in March 2015 after receiving a challenge grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. 

Recognizing that Southwest Florida employers increasingly need workers with education beyond high school, FutureMakers meets the opportunity by ensuring local residents can gain those skills while creating a stronger talent pipeline for businesses and supporting long-term economic mobility for families. The goal of FutureMakers is to raise the proportion of working-age adults in Southwest Florida who have earned credentials beyond a high school diploma to 60 percent -including college degrees, workforce training, and industry certifications. 

To accomplish its goal, FutureMakers focuses on implementing systems-level changes that remove barriers to education and career attainment for all grade levels and ages, strengthening economic mobility and overall quality of life. The program encompasses cradle-to-career solutions – some of which begin long before students achieve their high school diploma, overcoming barriers to quality early childhood education and K-12 success – as well as accessibility to postsecondary attainment, credential completion and workforce alignment. 

Impact: 

FutureMakers has had a significant impact on workforce and educational attainment across Southwest Florida by helping learners earn the credentials needed for higher-paying, in-demand careers. FutureMakers has strengthened Southwest Florida’s workforce by helping thousands of residents access education and career opportunities, increasing credential attainment, fostering regional partnerships, and contributing to economic growth. 

• Workforce Development: FutureMakers connects residents with education, training, certifications, and degree programs that lead to better employment opportunities and help address regional workforce shortages.  

• Support for Adult Learners: Through its Navigator Program, FutureMakers helps adults return to education and complete credentials that improve their career prospects. Since the program launched, more than 2,000 individuals have been assisted in reconnecting with education and moving into well-paying jobs. 

• Regional Collaboration: The coalition brings together more than 250 partners across education, business, nonprofit, and community sectors in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties to identify gaps in the talent pipeline and implement scalable solutions.  

• Addressing Equity Gaps: The coalition focuses on reducing educational and workforce disparities, particularly for underserved populations, by improving access to credentials and career pathways. 

Population Served: 

Southwest Florida residents including: 

• Underserved families who need access to quality early childhood education and K-12 programs to support their students’ future workforce readiness and career success 

• High school students facing barriers to postsecondary education, career training, and/or certification 

• Adults of all ages who need career support such as postsecondary education, career training, and/or certification 

Learn more here. 

Page last updated in August 2026