Funds awarded by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has received “a significant investment from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to expand three key initiatives” that Chamber leaders say strengthen Sarasota’s workforce and economy: career training, student internships and entrepreneurial support, the Chamber has announced.
The funding will help allow for the expansion of programs “that prepare local workers for in-demand careers, connect students with meaningful work experiences, and provide resources to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses,” a news release points out.
“Through the Chamber’s internship program, more local students will gain fully funded, hands-on experience with area employers,” the release adds. “Since 2021, the Chamber has matched, placed, and fully funded 125 interns,” the release notes, and it has hosted the SPARK: Intern Summit for two consecutive years “to connect and inspire young talent.”
Further, the release says, “Entrepreneurs will benefit from expanded support and programming, building on the success of the HustleBar series launched earlier in 2025” — a 10-part event series “designed to empower business founders with resources, mentorship, and community connections.”
The release also notes, “CareerEdge, the Chamber’s workforce initiative, will continue to partner with local employers to train workers for high-demand roles. In 2024 alone, CareerEdge helped 486 workers earn 594 certifications, while Fast-Track graduates saw an average wage increase of $9.17 per hour, demonstrating the program’s tangible impact on local families.”
“This investment from Barancik Foundation allows us to scale programs that connect people to opportunity — whether that’s a student getting their first internship, a worker earning a credential, or an entrepreneur building a business,” said Dan Sidler, vice president of workforce development for the Chamber, in the release. “We are deeply grateful for Barancik’s commitment to creating a stronger, more resilient Sarasota.”
For more information on Chamber programs and upcoming opportunities, visit www.sarasotachamber.com.