ReDefiners Awarded Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation

This grant recognizes community impact the organization has in promoting language education, multilingualism and cultural competence.

As part of The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, ReDefiners was selected to receive a $1,000 grant. This grant award is thanks to a nomination from a local Starbucks partner who recognized the work of the organization in Tampa Bay Area, Florida with unique language education programs that promote multilingualism and multiculturalism. Through this unique program, The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners and alumni to nominate a local organization in their community. Since 2019, more than 13,000 grants have been awarded to local organizations, amounting to more than $20 million. This 2024, ReDefiners World Languages was selected from among 33,000 nominations submitted by Starbucks partners earlier this year.

This grant will support ReDefiners World Languages in several key areas, including offering language classes in Arabic, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish for both K-5 students and adult learners. The organization promotes cultural understanding and competence through language programs and virtual field trips, empowering individuals to become multilingual global citizens. ReDefiners emphasizes community building, providing affordable online classes nationwide and free in-person classes in Hillsborough County, Florida. They focus on early language education for young children and offer language classes for adult learners, along with summer programs that combine language learning with cultural exploration.

"We are incredibly grateful for this recognition and support from The Starbucks Foundation," said Chantelle Daniels, Founder and Executive Director of ReDefiners World Languages. "This grant will enable us to further our mission of promoting multilingualism and cultural competence, and to continue providing valuable language education programs to our community."

The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program supports grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations through catalytic investments in the form of grants. Neighborhood Grants also help build sustained local impact and inspire increased partner (employee) engagement with nonprofit organizations that work in their communities.

“Our partners (employees) know their communities best, and have shared great insights about the organizations helping to uplift others in their neighborhoods, from supporting youth and families to fighting hunger and promoting environmental stewardship,” said Alicia Vermaele, executive director of The Starbucks Foundation. “Through our latest round of Neighborhood Grants, we’re proud to support local organizations nominated by Starbucks partners who make our communities stronger.”

Learn more about the Neighborhood Grants program at Starbucks Stories.

ReDefiners World Languages

ReDefiners World Languages is a non-profit organization that offers language education programming in Hillsborough County. Its mission is to equip and empower people to have access to new opportunities- from academics to careers- by learning a second language. For more information, please call ReDefiners World Languages at 813-530-2313 or email info@redefinerswl.org.

The Starbucks Foundation

The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at Starbucks Stories.