Changemakers, Our Work for Educators

Luxury Home Builder Opening Doors for Teachers and Students through Classroom Grants Program

Naples Luxury Builders is dedicated to making sure that every Naples custom home building experience — from the design stage to the final luxurious detail — is done with pride, honor, and integrity. Owner Steven Sunquist and wife Beverly, who have called Southwest Florida home for 15 years, are committed to excellence in every facet of custom home building, working tirelessly to make sure that every detail is done above and beyond client expectations.

Naples Luxury Builders and the Sunquist family became involved with Champions For Learning four years ago, shortly after their children began school in the Collier County Public School system. Originally from the southside of Chicago, both Steven and Beverly’s families are overflowing with educators. Steven’s parents are teachers — his father is a retired Art teacher, and his mother teaches French at Mother McAuley High School – and his brother is an administrator at a public high school on the southside of Chicago.  Beverly’s sister, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle were also teachers, and she has countless cousins who are educators. “Where we grew up, success and opportunity were often determined by your zip code or who you knew,” said Beverly, adding “The value of good teachers and a solid education was never overlooked.”

After receiving his degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney on a football scholarship, Steven returned to his love of construction and was determined to succeed. Despite many obstacles, and through pure grit, Steven went on to own multiple construction and development companies in Southwest Florida. “I think back to high school and wonder ‘what if there was an organization like Champions For Learning?’ Had there been, I believe more of my classmates would have realized their potential.”

Having funded six grants already this year, the Sunquists believe that the Classroom Grants program gives teachers the opportunity to enrich their classroom with opportunities for students to learn outside of the box, providing them the tools and experiences they need to succeed. Beverly added that “it’s incredibly important to us that all children, no matter their circumstance or abilities, can achieve greatness. Whether a student has learning challenges, is gifted or anywhere in between, not every child learns the same.” Leaning towards grants that support special education students, STEAM, and entrepreneurship, they admire the teachers who go the extra mile for their students by helping them prepare for life outside of school, whether that’s college or a trade. Steven added, “We know how much teachers impact children’s lives.”

Naples Luxury Builders and the Sunquist family’s commitment to bettering the lives of students and providing teachers the tools they need to foster growth has made them an amazing partner of Champions For Learning and we could not be more grateful for their generous support.

“On behalf of the Naples Luxury Builders team, we wish all teachers
and students a very happy and successful school year!”
– Beverly & Steven Sunquist