The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is an independent, not-for-profit organization headquartered on Landings Boulevard in Sarasota. The Foundation works in partnership with individuals, families, community organizations and the Sarasota County public school system awarding over a million dollars yearly to educational initiatives like the Texcellence Computer Donation program, Literacy for Life, Teacher of the Year, Academic Olympics, Science Fair, classroom grants, fine arts programs, student awards and scholarships. Visit the Education Foundation of Sarasota County Web site for volunteer, event and donation information.
SCF, formerly known as Manatee Community College, became a "state" college in 2009 and offered its first four-year workforce degree, a bachelor of science in nursing, in addition to its emphasis on two-year degrees. It changed its name to better reflect its place in the larger community of Manatee and Sarasota counties. The main campus is located in Bradenton, with branches in Lakewood Ranch and Venice. It also operates a collegiate charter school, where high school students can simultaneously work toward an Associate in Art degree. More than 36,000 total students attend annually.
SCF is guided by Dr. Lars A. Hafner, who took over in 2008 as the college's fifth president. The school boasts five varsity athletics programs - women's softball, tennis and volleyball; men's basketball and baseball - who are nicknamed the Manatees in a nod to its previous encarnation as Manatee Community College.
