The Henson Fund Has Developed These Programs over the past 12 years.
Alta Vista Summer Learning Program
The Henson Fund donated funding to Sarasota County Schools to establish a summer learning program that emphasizes reading comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary building. The goal fo summer learning is to help prevent summer academic slide by infusing programs like reading and literacy, mathematics, and STEM.
Academic PreK Program
The Henson Fund donated $335,000 each year for four years to Sarasota County Schools to establish pre-kindergarten programs at local elementary schools. These programs focus on developing foundational skills that support success in later education, particularly in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. The donations covered setting up classrooms, purchasing materials, paying teachers, and building a pre-K playground. As the Hensons would say, worth every penny.
Secret Society of Readers
The Henson Fund pledged a $500,000 gift to the University of South Florida to establish the Secret Society of Readers program at Tuttle and Gocio Elementary schools. The goal of the program is to pair elementary students with USF college students who serve as near peer mentors to build positive relationships and instill a love of reading while improving student vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
Booker HS Elite 300 Program
The Henson Fund donated $25,000 for Booker High School to establish an incentive and progress monitoring program for both teachers and students. The program is intended to spark enthusiasm and excitement for increasing achievement for students who fall within the lowest quartile on state assessments.
2025 Heron Creek After School ESOL Program
The Henson Fund donated $24,900 for Heron Creek Middle School to establish an after-school program dedicated to address and eliminate academic barriers for students who speak a language other than English.
Schoolhouse Link
The Henson Fund donated $70,000 to the Safe Children Coalition + Schoolhouse Link for the purpose of establishing a cooperative partnership to support the SRQ SHINE program. This provides transitional housing for individuals who qualify as homeless unaccompanied youth between the ages of 16-24. The goal is to support youth as they complete high school, engage in postsecondary education, and develop skills they need to become self-sufficient.
PreK Backpack Program
The Henson Fund donated $58,300 to Sarasota County Schools to establish a program that provides underserved children participating in early childhood programs with backpacks full of academic tools, materials, supplies, and other resources to access learning at home. This program is beneficial to children of poverty because of the accessibility to academically rich materials and resources at home can help increase student achievement and close the learning gaps for children underrepresented and underserved communities.