Giving Challenge at The Bay returns

Nearly 700 nonprofits from Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties will be raising funds during the 2024 Giving Challenge on Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to noon. The fundraising marathon, hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, will be strengthened through a funding partnership with The Patterson Foundation.

The Bay Park in Sarasota also will be fully engaged with this year's Giving Challenge, hosting eight of its community nonprofit partners and a variety of free activities that showcase its "one park for all" promise - to be open and accessible, free and welcoming, to the full and rich diversity of the community now and for generations to come.

There are two nonprofit "pop-ups" on Tuesday from noon-2 p.m. and again from 6-7 p.m., featuring tabling and more than a dozen free "Best of The Bay" activities by eight local nonprofit organizations, including the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Minorities in Shark Sciences, Science and Environment Council, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Operation Warrior Resolution, and The Bay Park Conservancy.

This collection of partners provides a range of benefits to everyone in the community - from recreational to environmental; performing arts to visual arts; and health and wellness for veterans to everyone.

The first pop-up on April 9 features popular arts organization Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe at noon. Several fan favorite artists will present a half-hour performance, featuring a selection of songs from its "Soul Men" and "Sistas of Soul" shows.

A "Nonstop Overnight Giving Challenge" effort will take place in the park involving a few select members from Operation Warrior Resolution and other Bay pop-up organizations to continue the fundraising all night long.

The Bay's Tuesday activities

Giving Challenge Pop-Up Station at The Bay Session #1 (noon-2 p.m.).

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe "Soul Men & Sistas of Soul" (noon-12:30p.m.).

Lunchtime Tunes: Shindig (1-2p.m.) presented by The Bay.

Minorities in Shark Sciences (provides a community and funded opportunities for gender minorities of color who wish to enter the field of shark sciences): Shark-themed games (4-6p.m.).

Operation Warrior Resolution (holistic mental health care for veterans and their families): Cornhole Competition for All (6-9 p.m.).

Happy Hour: Drink specials at The Nest Concession (5-7 p.m.)

Giving Challenge Pop-Up Station at The Bay Session #2 (6-7 p.m.).

Cinema at The Bay: 1986 classic movie "Stand By Me" (8-9:30 p.m.).

Select members from Operation Warrior Resolution and other Bay pop-up organizations: Nonstop Overnight Giving Challenge at The Bay to continue fundraising all night long.

The Bay's Wednesday activities

Operation Warrior Resolution: Sunrise Yoga (7-8 a.m.).

Rise & Paddle with Suncoast Waterkeeper (works to protect and restore the waters on Florida Suncoast for the benefit of all through community and stakeholder engagement, environmental monitoring, advocacy, and responsible legal action): Guided kayak tour of Sarasota Bay (8:30-10:30 a.m.).

Minorities in Shark Sciences: Instagrammed live shark survey on Sarasota Bay live feed on large LED screen at The Bay.

All activities are all free and open to the community.

For more information, visit cfsarasota.org/nonprofits/giving-challenge and thebaysarasota.org/event/giving-challenge-at-the-bay.