REACH Manatee is Manatee County’s Local College Access Network (LCAN).

Formerly known as the Manatee College Access Network, the organization was established in 2016 by UnidosNow. In 2017, UnidosNow, Manatee Education Foundation and the Manatee Community Foundation collaborated and received a grant from the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) to facilitate a strategic planning process. As a result of this effort, the network was renamed REACH Manatee. In 2020, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce stepped in as the new backbone organization for REACH Manatee after a tremendous four years of leadership by UnidosNow.

As a community-based collaborative effort, REACH Manatee is focused on increasing the percentage of adults in Manatee County with a high-quality credential or degree.  Local partners include youth-serving organizations, colleges and universities, the school district, businesses, non-profits, and area foundations. 

By partnering with local leaders, educators and communities REACH Manatee can strive to achieve the State of Florida’s SAIL to 60 goal: for at least 60% of Florida adults to hold degrees and workforce-relevant credentials by 2030.

The Challenge

Florida faces a talent gap, with jobs increasingly requiring an education beyond high school.  In Manatee County we must boost education attainment, especially for our most vulnerable students. We must not get left behind!

• In 2024 Manatee County’s annual job growth rate was 2.28%. (FCAN)
• In Manatee County, less than 50% of adults between 18-64 have a post-secondary credential–meaning a 2 or 4-year degree, license, or industry-recognized certificate.

Our collective goal is to ensure more students in Manatee County achieve an education beyond high school, to meet the needs of our workforce and help families become economically stable.