Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund

Grants for Nonprofits Working in Adult Ed; Outlines A Future in which Lifelong Learning is the Model for All

Because “not everyone’s life runs in the same track,” improving access to adult education opportunities is the generous promise of the new Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund at the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

Adults who return to school to study career skills, citizenship, languages and cultural enrichment in Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County benefit from a visionary, 10-year commitment for annual $75,000 gifts.  Local non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grants in support of programs for adults who re-enter school.

VISION FOR A WORLD OF LIFELONG LEARNERS

“Thanks to a visionary long-term commitment from Lauren Barnett, the Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund awards grants each year to local nonprofits expanding access to adult education across Coral Gables and Miami-Dade County. Beginning in 2026, the Fund’s annual grant pool increases to $100,000 — supporting programs in career skills, citizenship, languages, and cultural enrichment for adults returning to education at any stage of life.”

Barnett continued, “Lifelong education, I believe, is the future. It improves access to education by recognizing that not everyone’s life runs in the same track. It gives limitless opportunity for people to change and grow to better contribute to their community. It means believing in people and their potential to change the world at every stage of their lives, not just until they are 18. And it embodies the idea that an education is a right, not a privilege. If anyone, at any age, with any background wants training or an education or to learn something new, that opportunity not just be available but easy for them to access, because then we can all make the most of our entire lives. It means it’s never too late.”

ABOUT TRISTARR LIFELONG LEARNING FUND

The Tristarr Lifelong Learning Fund, created by Lauren Jane Barnett with a donation to the Coral Gables Community Foundation in 2022, seeks to promote access to, and support for, adult and lifelong education in both the UK and the US, with the aim of improving the educational opportunities for those over the age 25.

2025 Tristarr Fund Grants
($72,750 total)

• 305 Pink Pack: “305 Pink Pack Grocery Assistance”
• Beaux Arts of the Lowe Art Museum: “HandsOn! Outreach Art Education” 
• Breakthrough Miami: “Breaking Through in the Gables”
• Community Arts Program (CAP):  “Music Education: The Art of Inclusion” .
• Coral Gables Art Cinema: “Family Day on Aragon” 
• Coral Gables Senior High School “College Visitation Tours, Student Media & More” 
• Crystal Academy: “Let’s Get Physical” Life-saving swim lessons and physical fitness 
• The Home Team Miami: “Empowerment Program” for Ponce de Leon Middle School
• NAMI Miami-Dade: “Ending the Silence for Youth” in Coral Gables 
• Seraphic Fire: “2025-26 Season Concerts in Coral Gables” 
• Ladies Empowerment and Action Program (LEAP): The Incarcerated Women’s Chance for Change Initiative”
• Books & Books Literary Foundation: “Expanding Minds, Enriching Lives” speaker series.
• Miami Book Fair at MDC Foundation: “Emerging Writers Fellowship”
• Miami Film Lab: “Filmcraft Series: Tales of Working Artists”
• Refugee Assistance Alliance: “General Educational Diploma (GED) & College Study for Refugees”
• YES Institute: “New Thinking About Concepts of Gender” course at UM’s OLLI.  

2024 Tristarr Fund Grants 
(Total: $72,750)

• Miami Book Fair: “Emerging Writers Fellowship,” $20,000
• Baptist Health South Florida Foundation: “Baptist Health Academic Conference,” $5,000
• Camillus House: “Security Training Course,” $3,000
• City Theatre: “Homegrown Playwright Development Program,” $5,000
• Coral Gables Adult Education Center: “ESL Classes,” $7,000
• Goodwill Industries of South Florida: “Transfr Virtual Reality Equipment and Training Program,” $5,000
• Lindsey Hopkins Technical College: “Lindsey Café,” $10,000
• Ladies Empowerment and Action Program(LEAP):The Incarcerated Women’s Chance for Change Initiative,” $5,000
• Miami Film Lab: “Filmcraft Series: Tales of Working Artists,” $4,000
• Refugee Assistance Alliance: “General Educational Diploma (GED) & College Study for Refugees,” $4,000
• Thelma Gibson Health Initiative: “Senior Literacy Information Project (SLIP),” $4,750

2023 Tristarr Fund Grants
($72,750 total)

• Miami-Dade College Division of Continuing Education, $25,000
  “Continuing Education ESOL Learning”
• Coral Gables Adult Education Center, $25,000
  “Adult Education Programs including ESOL, GED and Citizenship”
• Baptist Health Doctor’s Hospital, $5,000
  “Community Medical Classes”
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, $5,000
  “Community Adult Classes at Fairchild”
• Miami Film Lab, $3,000
  “Filmmaking Master class Series at Gables Art Cinema”
• LBW Homeowners Foundation, $2,000
  “Senior Social / Digital Learning Saturdays”
• Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, $5,000
  “Senior Literacy Information Project (SLIP)”
• City of Coral Gables Adult Activity Center, $5,000
  ‘Mind and Melody’ and ‘Digital Technology for Seniors’