Our Community & Season of Sharing: 25 Years
We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of Season of Sharing, a celebration of community generosity over a quarter of a century.
The Suncoast region has seen many changes since 2000, including a growing population, with an influx of younger families moving to a region that is historically a retirement destination. A larger population with diverse needs, along with rising rents and home values, and incomes that are remaining mostly stagnant for renters adds up to an increasing number of people living on the economic edge.
Take a look at how our community has changed over the past quarter century in this special report, published in the Herald-Tribune on Oct. 27, 2024.
25 Years of Stability, Flexibility, and Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Crisis
While Sarasota is ranked among Florida’s most affluent communities, hundreds of hardworking families are one paycheck away from the threat of homelessness, one emergency away from having to make a disturbing choice between buying food or paying the electric bill.
As a community-wide vital safety net, Season of Sharing has helped thousands of people in our region avert cascading crises by providing one-time financial assistance for essential living expenses. For 25 years, Season of Sharing has empowered neighbors to help neighbors in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties to rebound from setbacks with dignity.
All money collected through Season of Sharing is distributed to those in need in our four-county region and may be used for rent or mortgage assistance, utility bills, child care, transportation, or other crucial expenses to help families restore a sense of security when it is needed most urgently.
Hundreds of hardworking families in our region are just one emergency away from facing homelessness.
Season of Sharing County in Greatest Need
To provide targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs or other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. This fund supports the greatest need within Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties.
Season of Sharing Fund for Sarasota County
To provide targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs or other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. This fund supports residents of Sarasota County.
Season of Sharing Fund for Manatee County
To provide targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs or other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. This fund supports residents of Manatee County.
Season of Sharing Fund for Charlotte County
To provide targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs or other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. This fund supports residents of Charlotte County.
Season of Sharing Fund for DeSoto County
To provide targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs or other emergency expenses to individuals on the brink of homelessness. This fund supports residents of DeSoto County.
Season of Sharing Diane McFarlin Endowment Fund
To support the Season of Sharing program initiative to provide funds for its unrestricted use to maintain the Season of Sharing program as an effective resource to those in need in our community.
Donate by Mail
Mail your check – payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County (please indicate "Season of Sharing: County Designation") to:
Season of Sharing
c/o Community Foundation of Sarasota County
2635 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34237
Donate by Phone
Call 941-955-3000.
Since its inception in 2000, Season of Sharing has distributed more than $42.5 million to more than 50,000 households, thanks to our community's generosity.
Giving Over Time
As a reflection of our belief that anyone can be a philanthropist regardless of means, Season of Sharing is an open invitation to all members of our community to give what they can to help their fellow neighbors. To this day, Season of Sharing remains a grassroots campaign that depends on generosity at all levels.
Since its inception in 2000, this time-tested and trusted resource has distributed more than $42.5 million to more than 50,000 households, enabling individuals and families to get back on their feet.
Throughout the campaign's history, more than 60,000 gifts have been made--that's our community committing to the wellbeing of their neighbors and, in turn, all of us. Last year's campaign raised $4.21 million through 2,652 gifts, demonstrating our community's generosity.
Year after year, Season of Sharing showcases the uniquely generous spirit of our community, the eagerness of those who are able to pay their good fortune forward to sustain the health of these communities we call home.
Season of Sharing-Through the Years
Since the inception of Season of Sharing, when $121,000 was raised to help neighbors in need, fundraising has grown substantially, thanks to our generous community. In the four most recent years, donors have rallied to raise more than $3 million a year.
Trust in Season of Sharing, built through stories by the Herald-Tribune's Saundra Amrhein and the efficiency of our network of community partners to get dollars where they're needed most, has propelled the campaign to new heights nearly every year for 25 years.
The Patterson Foundation is strengthening the givers in our region who make Season of Sharing’s impact possible. The Season of Sharing fundraising campaign got an early start this year, as community-wide needs stemming from Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricanes Helene and Milton called for a boost in Season of Sharing dollars.
Through Jan. 31, 2025, The Patterson Foundation will contribute $100,000 to Season of Sharing for every $500,000 raised by the community — with no cap on the number of $100,000 contributions donors can activate throughout the campaign. Last year, that match meant a total contribution of $700,000 from The Patterson Foundation, or $2.6 million since the initial match was offered.
What's more, in response to Hurricane Milton, The Patterson Foundation generously donated an additional $1 million to the Season of Sharing fund. And this generosity has inspired others: the Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation donated a $500,000 matching gift, and the Baltimore Orioles made a $250,000 gift plus another $250,000 matching gift, while the Bishop-Parker Foundation also contributed $100,000 to be directed to hard-hit communities in Manatee County.
Learn more about The Patterson Foundation’s longstanding support for Season of Sharing.
Additional gifts from The Patterson Foundation and other funders
- To request help, those in need call 2-1-1—United Way’s hotline that assists potential clients in finding the appropriate agency—or work with a social worker.
- During this call, clients will be referred to one of fifty agencies that best fit their needs and location, whether that be staying in their home, keeping the lights on, or repairing a car so they can get to work.
- Following consultation with a social worker, funds from Season of Sharing will be distributed directly to the client’s landlord, utility, childcare provider or car repair shop.
Fundraising for Season of Sharing officially runs annually from November to January, but charitable giving continues throughout the year. Because the Community Foundation provides grants directly to nonprofit agencies, individuals must be working with a case worker at a social service agency to receive funds.
If you need assistance, United Way 2-1-1 helps potential clients find an appropriate agency. Visit United Way 2-1-1's website to begin your search.
Season of Sharing was created by the Herald-Tribune Media Group and the Community Foundation, but has since been enhanced by a collaboration of media partners: The Patterson Foundation, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, and other funders who provide significant matching dollars, in addition to local donors who contribute gifts of varying amounts.
Each life touched by Season of Sharing has a story. Through the years, Season of Sharing has embraced the belief that heartfelt storytelling – by learning about someone’s personal experiences—can unite and inspire our community.
The courageous families and individuals who share their stories during their most difficult times demonstrate how we are all deeply affected by the current pandemic, including those who have recently received support:
November 12, 2024
Punta Gorda caregiver gets boost from Season of Sharing after decades helping others
November 4, 2024
Season of Sharing helps Venice family enduring car repairs and a broken AC
November 1, 2024
In Darkness, Light
October 30, 2024
Season of Sharing off to huge start amid storm devastation and immense need
October 28, 2024
Bishop-Parker Foundation contributes $100,000 to Season of Sharing to provide post-hurricane relief to Manatee County
October 23, 2024
Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation Supports Hurricane Relief and Recovery with $1 Million in Gifts to Community Foundation of Sarasota County
October 16, 2024
Baltimore Orioles Support Hurricane Milton Relief Efforts
October 11, 2024
Picking up the pieces after Hurricane Milton
October 8, 2024
The Patterson Foundation Contributing Up to $3 Million to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for Disaster Relief and Recovery
October 7, 2024