The Long Foundation
Investing in the Future of Alachua County
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Education

Long Foundation is committed to strengthening nonprofit education initiatives that help young people reach their full potential and build successful futures.

Support Our Mission Support Our Mission

How do WE do that?

  • CREATE community partnerships
  • CHANGE our attitudes
  • BEGIN interventions before children are born into poverty
  • INVEST more time & resources into pre-K programs
  • IMPLEMENT wholesome after-school programs
  • INITIATE new & innovative programs

How do WE do that?

  • CREATE community partnerships
  • CHANGE our attitudes
  • BEGIN interventions before children are born into poverty
  • INVEST more time & resources into pre-K programs
  • IMPLEMENT wholesome after-school programs
  • INITIATE new & innovative programs

Partners

  • School Board of Alachua County
  • Alachua County Govt.
  • City of Gainesville Govt.
  • Santa Fe Community College
  • University of Florida
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Private Sector
  • GTEC

  • Business Service Orgs.
  • Action Network
  • City College
  • Alachua/Bradford Regional Workforce Board
  • Univ. No. Fla. Small Business Development Ctr.
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • United Gville Dev. Corp

  • SCORE
  • Trade Unions
  • Webster College
  • Alachua Regional Juvenile Assessment Ctr. Adv. Board
  • United Gville Dev. Corp.
  • Lending Institutions

Partners

  • School Board of Alachua County
  • Alachua County Govt.
  • City of Gainesville Govt.
  • Santa Fe Community College
  • University of Florida
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Private Sector
  • GTEC
  • Business Service Orgs.
  • Action Network
  • City College
  • Alachua/Bradford Regional Workforce Board
  • Univ. No. Fla. Small Business Development Ctr.
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • United Gville Dev. Corp
  • SCORE
  • Trade Unions
  • Webster College
  • Alachua Regional Juvenile Assessment Ctr. Adv. Board
  • United Gville Dev. Corp.
  • Lending Institutions

Entrepreneurial Charter School Benefits

Community:

  • Development of home-grown business leaders
  • Reduction in welfare dollars spent
  • Reduction in juvenile crime and associated costs

Participating Youth:

  • Learn a meaningful profession
  • Better prepared for the career world
  • Increased sense of value within the community
  • Increased self-esteem, independence and self-worth

Opportunities:

  • High school graduation
  • Certification in a profession
  • $100,000 Small Business Loan

Support Our Mission

Action Plan

  • Must target children in 6th to 12th grades
  • Provides minimum academic requirements
  • Higher emphasis on:

–Hands-on job training
–Class time/Work time

Role: City & County Government

  • Provide $25,000 EACH over a four-year period (total of $200,000) to establish:

–Entrepreneur Economic Development Trust Fund (EEDTF)

Role: School Board of Alachua County

  • Develop curriculum which supports the Entrepreneur Magnet School (ECS) –Meets criteria for  successful completion of FCAT, ACT and SAT
  • Work with parents & students to create an individualized Personal Development Plan for successful completion of the EMS program
  • Guarantee identified middle school students opportunity to graduate from high school with certification that pays high wage
  • Identify and develop a charter school center to house the Eventual (after 4 years) Entrepreneurship Charter School

Role: Private Sector

  • Work to raise remaining $300,000 over 4-year period to fund the EEDTF
  • Work with City and County government to guarantee SBA loans
  • SBA 10% required down payment will be provided by the EEDTF
  • City – County – Private Sector
  • Serve as mentors to participants

ECS: Target Outcomes

  • Decrease in criminal justice system costs
  • Reduction in high school drop-out rates
  • Reduction in poverty levels
  • Intergovernmental & community collaboration
  • Decrease in births to women under 18
  • Improved socio-economic environment for the citizens of Alachua County
  • HOPE for the future

Role: Private Sector

  • Work to raise remaining $300,000 over 4-year period to fund the EEDTF
  • Work with City and County government to guarantee SBA loans
  • SBA 10% required down payment will be provided by the EEDTF
  • City – County – Private Sector
  • Serve as mentors to participants

ECS: Target Outcomes

  • Decrease in criminal justice system costs
  • Reduction in high school drop-out rates
  • Reduction in poverty levels
  • Intergovernmental & community collaboration
  • Decrease in births to women under 18
  • Improved socio-economic environment for the citizens of Alachua County
  • HOPE for the future

The Long Foundation, Inc.
is an approved charitable organization for solicitation under F.S. 496.405-Registraton Number CH42892.

To make a donation:
Please make your checks payable to:
You can drop off or mail your donation to: The Long Foundation, Inc., 1712 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville, Florida 32609.

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NEWSLETTER
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Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to learn about the impact we’re making across Alachua County.
Receive updates on grant opportunities, community initiatives, nonprofit partnerships, success stories, and upcoming events—all delivered directly to your inbox.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

The Long Foundation, Inc.
is an approved charitable organization for solicitation under F.S. 496.405-Registraton Number CH42892.

To make a donation:
Please make your checks payable to:
You can drop off or mail your donation to: The Long Foundation, Inc., 1712 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville, Florida 32609.

Home   |   Education   |   Felony Re-Entry   |   Affordable Housing   |   Gallery   |   Food Insecurity

NEWSLETTER
Get the Latest Community Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to learn about the impact we’re making across Alachua County.
Receive updates on grant opportunities, community initiatives, nonprofit partnerships, success stories, and upcoming events—all delivered directly to your inbox.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

   

Volunteer   |   Donation 

© 2026 The Long Foundation, Inc. | All rights reserved.       Privacy Policy   |  Contact Us

   

Volunteer   |   Donation 

© 2026 The Long Foundation, Inc. | All rights reserved.       Privacy Policy   |  Contact Us

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Kersandras Martin Hightower is a dedicated community leader, financial professional, and lifelong learner based in High Springs, Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business with a specialization in Accounting, a master’s degree in Business Administration, and a doctoral degree in Theology—an academic path that reflects both her analytical strengths and her deep commitment to service.

Kersandras currently serves as the treasurer for The Long Foundation and for her church, Galilee Missionary Baptist, where her financial expertise supports missions that uplift the community. She is also an active member of the Martin Luther King Commission of Florida, serving as board secretary, and of the African American Accountability Alliance of Alachua County, serving as treasurer.

Her passion for service extends powerfully into local food security efforts. As the logistics coordinator for the Strike Out Hunger Food Drive, she oversees personnel assignments and ensures fair distribution of resources across Alachua County. She also helps coordinate the Hawthorne Food Drive. These initiatives are especially meaningful to her because they allow her to directly support families and strengthen her community.

Before retiring, Kersandras dedicated 27 years to the City of Gainesville. Today, she owns and operates her own bookkeeping and tax preparation business. She understands how stressful taxes can be for many people and finds genuine joy in helping clients navigate the process with confidence and clarity.

Beyond her professional and civic commitments, Kersandras treasures her personal life. She has been married for 29 years and loves spending time with her husband and family. She enjoys traveling, working on puzzles, and facilitating games at events—activities that reflect her love of connection, creativity, and fun.

Rooted in faith, service, and community, Kersandras continues to make a meaningful impact wherever she goes.

A Message From The President

Honorable Rodney J. Long

The Long Foundation, Inc., is a 501C3 Not For Profit established February 12, 2012 in Gainesville, Florida. Our mission is to work collaboratively with private individuals and organizations including religious and public organizations to reduce poverty including homelessness, hunger, unemployment and crime. In addition, we  work collaboratively with organizations and individuals to reduce mental illness, for delivery of senior and disabled persons services, improve affordable housing and to assist ex-felons by reducing recidivism and successful re-entry into our community.

As a former Alachua County Commissioner (2000-2011), I served as chair of the Public Safety Coordinating Council for years with a primary focus on the criminal justice system. I worked closely with former Chief Judge Martha Lott to address the Mentally ill with substance abuses incarcerated in the Alachua County Department of the Jail. Our leadership resulted in Alachua County becoming one of the first county’s to receive a three year grant to address the Mentally Ill population in local jails.

As a former Commissioner, I led a delegation of local Criminal Justice Practitioners from the Therapeutic Community to attend former Florida Governor’s Charlie Crist Summitt on Successful Reentry. In addition, I led a delegation to visit successful Re-Entry Programs including the Savanah Impact Program, Savanah, Georgia to look at best practices for re-entry programs. I was involved in creating the North Central Florida Re-Entry Coalition (NCFREC) and Second Chance Programs.

I was instrumental in funding support services at the Work Release Center. As a strong advocate for the homeless, I led the effort to create and implement the Alachua County 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness managed by Alachua County Housing Authority (One Stop Center for Homelessness). A successful outcome of this effort is the Grace Marketplace. In addition, I organized and held a community symposium on food insecurity that led to the creation of the Hunger Abatement Plan (HAP) to address food insecurity in Alachua County.

As President and Founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc., we collaborated with current Alachua County Judge and former Law Professor Meshon Rawls with the University of Florida Virgil Hawkins Center and the Josiah T. Walls Bar Association to implement a successful Restoration of Rights Program to assist returning citizens who have completed their prison sentences for felony offenses with restoring their civil rights.

Finally, in 2008 to bring awareness to hunger in Alachua County, a Strike Out Hunger Community Wide Food Drive, Food Giveaway with Farm share, and Thanksgiving Baskets Giveaway to eligible Alachua County residents was implemented.

After retirement from the Alachua County Commission, The Long Foundation, Inc. was created to work collaboratively with private individuals and organizations including religious and public organizations to reduce poverty including homelessness, hunger, unemployment and crime.

 

Diyonne L. McGraw

Founder & Property Developer

Diyonne L. McGraw is a respected real estate professional, property developer, and business leader with more than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. Known for her strong market knowledge, strategic leadership, and commitment to client success, she has built a career centered on helping individuals, families, and investors make confident real estate decisions.

As the Founder of MBM Properties, LLC, Diyonne leads residential and commercial development projects with a focus on growth, value creation, and community impact. She also serves as Vice President of Real Estate at Rodney Long Realty, where she works closely with buyers and sellers to navigate transactions, negotiate favorable outcomes, and identify opportunities in a competitive market.

In addition to her work in real estate and development, Diyonne is a dedicated public servant and community leader. Her service includes leadership roles in education, civic engagement, and nonprofit organizations throughout the Gainesville and Alachua County community. She is widely recognized for combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to service.

Diyonne holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and a Master of Arts in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Her unique blend of business expertise, leadership, and community involvement continues to shape her work and the lives of those she serves.

Carole Long

Client Relations Specialist, Rodney Long Realty

For more than 23 years, Carole Long has been a trusted and welcoming presence at Rodney Long Realty, serving as the firm’s Client Relations Specialist. In this role, she has supported hundreds of clients with professionalism, warmth, and a steady commitment to exceptional service. Her background also includes 5 years as a mortgage broker, giving her a strong understanding of the financial side of homeownership and the guidance clients need to make confident, informed decisions.

Born and raised in Florida, Carole brings a lifelong connection to the communities she serves. Her lifelong connection to Florida helps her bring insight, clarity, and a personal touch that clients appreciate. Whether welcoming new buyers, assisting sellers, or supporting the Rodney Long Realty team, she is dedicated to making every experience smooth, respectful, and memorable.

Honorable Rodney J. Long

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

The Honorable Rodney J. Long is a native of Gainesville, Florida. He was educated in the Alachua County School System. He attended Santa Fe College, Howard University, The University Florida and Adullam Bible College.

In March 1988, the Honorable Rodney Long was elected Gainesville’s first single-member district commissioner. He was re-elected to a second term in March 1991. In May of 1991, he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Gainesville’s first district mayor-commissioner.

In November 2000, Mr. Long was elected to serve on the Alachua County Commission, becoming the first African American to serve on both the City and County Commissions. While serving on the County Commission, former Commissioner Long was active in the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) until his retirement in December 2011. He was the Past President of the Florida Association of Counties having served two terms as president. In May 2011, he was invited to the Whitehouse by President Obama to discuss issues facing the nation’s counties.

With nearly twenty years of serving in elected public office, Mr. Long is very knowledgeable with comprehensive plan amendments, and land use, including, but not limited to interpreting land use codes, zoning, environmental and wetland mitigation codes, special use and special exceptions, Plan Urban Developments (PUDs), Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs), Sub Division Regulations and Transportation Oriented Developments (TOD’s); and Multi- Modal Transportation. Mr. Long has extensive knowledge of redevelopment and development in Enterprise Zones (EZ), Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.

Mr. Long is the owner-broker of Rodney Long Realty Services, LLC. Rodney Long Realty Services, LLC is a full-service real estate firm headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, specializing in residential, commercial, land development consulting and vacant land services. With nearly two decades of experience, the company provides real estate consultation, development advisory, land acquisition expertise, and community-driven real estate solutions. Beyond real estate sales and development services, Rodney Long Realty is expanding its mission to stimulate economic development and improve housing accessibility in underserved communities. The firm is launching a Small Business Incubator and advancing affordable housing projects for seniors, veterans, and moderate-income households in Alachua County. He is co-owner of Rodney Long Bail Bonds Agency, LLC, President & CEO of Long and Associates Consulting, LLC, and President CEO of The Long Foundations, Inc.

He is married to Carole Martin of Hawthorne, Fl., and they have five children, Neki, Steven, Dakari, Arnelle and Julius.  They have nine grandchildren; and two great grand-children. Under the spiritual guidance of Apostle Willie L. King, Jr., and Prophetess Linda King, Mr. Long accepted his calling as an Evangelist at Showers of Blessings Harvest Center Church in December 2011.

His guiding principle is: “Anyone can be great, because everybody can serve.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.