Suncoast Credit Union Donates $250,000 to Support Fuse Scholarship Program at SPC and USF

St. Petersburg College (SPC), the University of South Florida (USF) and LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network are celebrating a major milestone in student support and financial access, thanks to a $250,000 gift to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay from Suncoast Credit Union. The gift will be recognized at a check presentation on Aug. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at SPC’s EpiCenter.

The donation will support the Fuse Scholarship Program, established by LEAP Tampa Bay partners at the Community Foundation. Also, the Helios Education Foundation is graciously matching this $250,000 donation. Nearly 50 SPC students are expected to benefit from this most recent contribution as they pursue a four-year degree through the Fuse program at USF.

The Fuse program, a strategic partnership between SPC and USF, offers students a streamlined, affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Students who enroll in Fuse complete their Associate in Arts degree at SPC with the guarantee of admission into select USF programs, provided they meet the academic requirements. The program includes structured advising, mentorship and financial assistance to remove common barriers that often delay or derail academic progress.

"Education changes lives, and partnerships like this make that transformation possible,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President of SPC. “Suncoast Credit Union’s investment in our students removes financial barriers and creates real opportunity. Together, we’re building stronger futures — not just for these students, but for our entire community.”

Made through the Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Suncoast Credit Union’s investment demonstrates its longstanding commitment to student success and regional workforce development. The funding supports first-generation and underserved students, aligning with Suncoast’s broader investment in educational equity and financial literacy across Florida.

“Our mission calls us to improve the communities we serve and there can be no greater investment than in the education of future citizens,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union. “This partnership will help secure the futures of promising, young scholars, which in turn strengthens the community we all share.”

The partnership between St. Petersburg College, Suncoast Credit Union, Helios Education Foundation, and the LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network reflects a shared commitment to student success and regional prosperity. By aligning resources and expertise, these organizations are removing barriers to higher education and creating a more equitable pipeline to college completion.

“There’s no more powerful path to a thriving community than education. The Fuse program is a collaborative, cost-effective approach that puts students on a clear path to a four-year degree,” said Marlene Spalten, President and CEO, Community Foundation Tampa Bay. “Along with our LEAP partners, we are proud to support this initiative through LEAP, which will coordinate scholarship distribution, and we deeply appreciate Suncoast Credit Union and Helios Education Foundation for their investment in Tampa Bay’s future.”

Together, SPC, USF and Suncoast Credit Union are not just supporting students; they are transforming lives and creating a stronger, more educated community.

Key Details:
When: Tuesday, Aug. 19, 10:30 a.m. (after the Board of Trustees meeting)
Where: SPC EpiCenter Lobby, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater
Who: Interview opportunities available with Suncoast Credit Union, LEAP, the Community Foundation Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees and community leaders

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 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 78 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 Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Community Foundation Tampa Bay is the leading philanthropic investor in the Tampa Bay area. Founded in 1990, Community Foundation Tampa Bay connects philanthropists, nonprofits, business leaders, and community leaders to drive fundamental changes in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. Over the past 35 years, Community Foundation Tampa Bay and its donors have fostered collaboration, sought creative solutions and invested more than $450 million in nonprofit organizations to help our community thrive.

About LEAP Tampa Bay College Access Network

LEAP Tampa Bay is a network of over 60 community partners dedicated to transforming lives by connecting residents to education and training opportunities beyond high school. A cross-sector network convened to promote their community-wide commitment to college access and attainment, LEAP leaders utilize a collective impact model of collaboration to guide coordinated, need-based strategies among partners from across business, education, government, and nonprofits. All the work is geared at increasing attainment of high-quality college degrees and career and technical training credentials to help build Tampa Bay’s workforce talent base. LEAP operates as part of the Community Foundation Tampa Bay, which was a Founding Partner.

About St. Petersburg College

Founded in 1927, St. Petersburg College (SPC) is Florida's first two-year college. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, SPC became Florida’s first state college to offer bachelor’s degrees. The College now offers more than 200 associate and bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and transfer programs, as well as many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. The College’s career-focused curriculum is created with input from industry experts to provide students with real-world skills needed to meet the needs of today’s employers.