Lead Coalition of Bay County

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Florida

Mission

The LEAD Coalition of Bay County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation dedicated to building trust, increasing safety, and restoring historically underserved neighborhoods through education, economic opportunity, and community engagement.

Programs or services

The LEAD Coalition of Bay County, Inc. advances equitable community development through five integrated pillars that strengthen individuals, families, businesses, and neighborhoods.

Business Development: We equip entrepreneurs and small business owners with business planning, financial literacy, access to capital, technical assistance, mentorship, and accelerator programs that foster business growth and wealth creation.

Housing Development: We support neighborhood revitalization through affordable housing initiatives, homeownership education, community planning, and partnerships that increase access to safe, quality housing and promote long-term community investment.

Resource Development: We connect residents with essential services and opportunities through health and wellness initiatives, community markets, food access programs, financial capability education, digital inclusion, nonprofit partnerships, and community engagement activities that improve quality of life.

Youth Development: We prepare young people for lifelong success through STEAM education, after-school and summer enrichment, mentoring, leadership development, career exploration, college and career readiness, and family engagement programs.

Workforce Development: We strengthen the local workforce by providing career readiness, employability skills training, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship education, credentialing opportunities, employer partnerships, and pathways to sustainable employment and economic mobility.

Detailed programs

Programs include entrepreneur accelerators, financial capability and capital readiness training, small business technical assistance, affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, health and wellness education, community farmers markets, food access, STEAM education, after-school and summer enrichment, mentoring, career exploration, workforce readiness, digital literacy, leadership development, and community engagement. By integrating these services, LEAD addresses the root causes of poverty while creating pathways to economic mobility, educational achievement, and stronger neighborhoods.

Target Audience

The LEAD Coalition primarily serves residents of Bay County, Florida, with a focus on historically underserved and under-resourced communities. Our target audiences include:

* Children and youth
* Low- to moderate-income families
* Entrepreneurs and small business owners
* Minority- and women-owned businesses
* Aspiring homeowners
* Job seekers and workforce participants
* Community residents seeking improved health, education, and economic opportunities
* Neighborhood associations, community leaders, and collaborative partners working to strengthen local communities

Through collaborative partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, financial institutions, and other nonprofits, LEAD creates pathways to educational success, economic mobility, neighborhood revitalization, and generational wealth.

Geographic Focus

United States, Florida (USA), Bay County (FL)

Current projects

Current initiatives include expanding the Glenwood Marketplace and Community Health Program; operating STEAM Team Summer Scholars and leadership programs; launching an Entrepreneurship, Capital & Wealth Initiative to prepare entrepreneurs for financing and business growth; implementing federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Centers; supporting affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization efforts; developing workforce training and financial empowerment programs; and building partnerships that strengthen Bay County’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and improve community health, education, and economic opportunity.

Organization goals

The LEAD Coalition’s goal is to create thriving, resilient communities where every resident has access to opportunity. We seek to increase business ownership, expand affordable housing, strengthen neighborhoods, improve educational outcomes, prepare youth for future careers, develop a skilled workforce, improve financial well-being, and increase access to health and community resources. Through collaborative partnerships and sustainable investments, LEAD works to reduce disparities, build generational wealth, and improve the overall quality of life throughout Bay County.

Leadership

Janice Lucas, Executive Director – Leads the organization’s strategic vision, community development initiatives, grant administration, public-private partnerships, and organizational growth. Brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, municipal government, education, workforce development, and community revitalization.

Suzaye A. Titus, Operations Manager – Oversees daily operations, financial administration, compliance, grant implementation, human resources, and organizational systems to ensure effective program delivery.
Terri Thomas, Outreach Specialist – Leads resident engagement, volunteer coordination, participant recruitment, case support, and community partnerships while connecting families with resources and services.

Board of Directors – A diverse group of community, business, education, and civic leaders providing governance, strategic oversight, fiscal accountability, and guidance to advance LEAD’s mission throughout Bay County.

This format demonstrates that LEAD has a strong executive leader, experienced operational staff, dedicated program leadership, and active governance—all qualities that funders look for when evaluating organizational capacity.

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

BIPOC, Climate Change, Community and Economic Development, Community Services, Entrepreneurs and Startups, Health and Medical, Homeless, Housing, In-Kind Support, Justice and Juvenile Justice, Nutrition and Food, Small Business, Social Justice, Students, Women, Women-Owned Startups and Businesses, Workforce, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

LEAD Coalition seeks funding to expand programming, increase organizational capacity, and scale evidence-based community development initiatives. Priority investments include youth education and mentoring, entrepreneurship and small business development, workforce training, affordable housing initiatives, financial literacy, neighborhood revitalization, technology and digital inclusion, food security, health and wellness, program staffing, transportation, evaluation, and operating support. Funding also enables LEAD to leverage partnerships and attract additional public and private investment into historically underserved communities.

Website & Social Media