ST. JOE FOUNDATION DONATES $113,000 TO FSU PANAMA CITY PROGRAMS

The St. Joe Community Foundation on Wednesday presented checks totaling more than $113,000 to the Florida State University Foundation to support two FSU Panama City initiatives: the Early Childhood Autism Program and The Collegiate School.

“I want to say thank you to the St. Joe Community Foundation, not only for what they’ve done for Florida State, but for what they’ve done for this entire community,” said Randy Hanna, dean of FSU PC and the College of Applied Studies. “In Bay and Walton counties, they’re improving the quality of life.”

ECAP received $75,000 for scholarships that cover services for clients with autism and related disorders; a portion of the funds will also go toward the recently opened “FILLS” (Functional Independent Living and Learning Skills) room, where students learn life skills such as making a bed, doing dishes or laundry, and other activities.

“We have a scholarship program so children in our community can receive free ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services for their diagnosis of autism,” said Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Amy Polick, who is the ECAP development director. “Another part of this grant is for our older children to receive services in our new independent living and learning center. We’re really excited to have the funding to help our children learn those skills.”

ECAP is the only non-profit ABA program in the Panhandle to provide in-home and in-clinic services to children in Bay County diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays and other conditions. Learn more at PC.FSU.edu/ecap.

TCS received more than $38,177 to aid in facility needs for its growing student population. Specifically, the money will help equip and furnish a new study room for dual-enrolled 11th grade students, who will be on the FSU Panama City fulltime this fall.

“Most of those students, by the end of their 11th grade, will have their associate of arts degree,” said TCS Director Debbi Whitaker. “Because those students will be fully on campus at FSU PC, we need a space for them to be able to study together, have study groups or advising sessions. Within this dedicated space, we will have technology connected to flexible seating, so it is really a state-of-the-art area for these students.”

The Collegiate School at FSU Panama City is a tuition-free developmental laboratory charter school offering a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and career preparation. Having opened in 2023 with 100 ninth-graders at a satellite campus off St. Andrews Boulevard, TCS will grow to include grades 9-11 in the 2025-26 school year with the high school juniors making the move to FSU PC’s Collegiate Drive facilities fulltime. For details, visit TCS.FSU.edu.

The St. Joe Community Foundation was established in 1999 as a separate entity from the St. Joe Company. The Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 nonprofits in the areas of education, environmental stewardship, building healthier communities and programs that honor the cultural arts. Learn more at Joe.com/community-foundation.

“Education is by far our biggest pillar that we do the most with,” said April Wilkes, executive director of the St. Joe Community Foundation. “It’s incredible to be able to support those who need that assistance.”

Established in 1960, the FSU Foundation now manages an endowment of more than $785 million, with a mission to enhance the academic vision and priorities of FSU through fundraising activities and funds management. Learn more at Foundation.FSU.edu.