Children First was recently recognized as one of the top 50 nonprofit organizations to work for nationwide in the 2021 Best Nonprofits to Work For competition. The exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County ranked 24^th overall in the medium-sized category.

Created by The NonProfit Times, the leading national business publication for nonprofit managers, this survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the top 50 best employers in the nonprofit industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, workforce and businesses through a two-part competitive process.

To qualify, Children First’s more than 200 staff members were asked to complete a confidential Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey. Worth 75% of the overall score, this process was crucial to securing a place on the list and required at least a 40% response rate to qualify.

“Children First could not be more humbled and honored to be recognized as a top nonprofit employer in the United States while simultaneously celebrating our 60^th anniversary. This national accolade has only been made possible by our incredible staff who remain laser-focused on our mission each and every day, as well as our committed Board of Directors, volunteers, and community members who help to guide the crucial work that we do,” says CEO Philip Tavill.

In addition to earning a spot on the list of nationally-ranked nonprofit employers, Children First received international recognition for earning the 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.org, the world’s largest resource for nonprofit information, helping to inform charitable decisions.

By earning a Platinum Seal of Transparency, the agency provides context for the IRS information already in Children First’s GuideStar profile, giving potential donors and funders better insight into its critical work and allowing them to make educated, charitable decisions.