CAPE CORAL, Fla. (February 26, 2026) – Family Initiative announces a charitable gift of $10,000 from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. The funds will be used for Family Initiative’s Autism Social Skills Playgroup. Family Initiative is grateful to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for awarding $10,000 to support our weekly ASD Social Skills Playgroup, serving 30–40 children each Saturday and more than 400 youth annually. This funding will strengthen clinician led staffing, provide scholarships for underserved children, and enhance our playgroups with new sensory and therapeutic materials. We are honored to celebrate this meaningful investment in our community during the Suncoast Credit Union Pine Island Rd. branch ribbon cutting.
“Family Initiative’s Social Skills Playgroups give children the opportunity to practice communication, build friendships, and gain confidence alongside their peers,” said David Brown, president and co-founder of Family Initiative. “Suncoast Credit Union’s investment helps ensure these programs remain accessible and impactful for hundreds of children and families throughout our community.”
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates four cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $55 million.
“The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation is proud to support Family Initiative because their innovative programs create meaningful opportunities for children and families to thrive,” said Jeff Kunberger, Executive Director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation. “We believe deeply in strengthening the communities we serve, and Family Initiative’s impact aligns perfectly with our mission to support children’s education and well-being.”
Family Initiative, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 in Cape Coral, Florida, with a clear mission: to ensure children with autism and developmental disabilities—and their families—have the support and opportunities they need to thrive. What began as a small grassroots effort has grown into a statewide leader serving families across Southwest Florida and beyond.
Over the past decade, Family Initiative has built a comprehensive continuum of family‑centered, evidence‑based services, including early intervention, social‑skills playgroups, parent training, behavioral and occupational therapy, inclusive community programs, and transitional workforce support. A major milestone was the launch of Thrive Academy, a first‑of‑its‑kind autism‑specialty school providing academics, life skills, and vocational training in an environment designed for students’ sensory and developmental needs.
Additional achievements include expanding programs across multiple counties, building strong community partnerships, hosting inclusive events that celebrate neurodiversity, and opening the Golisano Autism Community Hub to broaden access to services and education.
Today, Family Initiative continues to grow through innovation and collaboration, grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
About Suncoast Credit Union:
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $19.2 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 80 full-service branches and serves more than 1.3 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $55 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Family Initiative:
Founded in 2015, Family Initiative Inc. is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with autism and strengthening their families. Its team of clinicians serves children through a compassionate, personalized approach using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT). The organization also offers autism play groups, teen meetups, parent education, and community conversations. In addition, Family Initiative provides training and support for child welfare caregivers through its Family Impact Program. For more information, visit www.fi-florida.org, follow Family Initiative on Facebook and Instagram at @FamilyInitiative, or on X (formerly Twitter) at @FI_Inc.
