To help our community recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton through Season of Sharing and the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, click here

2Gen Parent Testimonials from Horizons Unlimited Christian Academy

The Community Foundation engaged in a three year, collaborative pilot with Horizons Unlimited Christian Academy that included support for teachers, students, and their parents. Upon the conclusion of the pilot, parents shared how they felt they had a greater capacity to create a better future for their families

(May 2021, 8 Minutes)

Legacies in Action: Responding to COVID-19 & Beyond

Over the last year, philanthropy has been called upon to help our community respond to unanticipated needs and challenges while informing longer-term solutions. And from immediate relief to recovery, legacy funds at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County have allowed for flexibility and innovation as our community came together to care for one another. 

(March 2021, 5 Minutes)

2022 Giving Challenge | Connection, Collaboration, Coming Together #BeTheOne

Once again, our community reached out with a remarkable outpouring of support in just 24 hours during the 2022 Giving Challenge, providing $16.2 million to nearly 700 nonprofit organizations across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. Behind this success are the countless relationships that make us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that helped our community connect on a newfound – and often personal – level, sharing experiences and stories while opening hearts to new possibilities. This video captures these connections, which are the heart of #GivingChallenge2022 #BeTheOne #WeAreOne

(May 2022, 4:25 minutes)

#WeAreOne Giving Challenge 2020

Social distancing has left many of us wanting to feel connected to our larger community and be part of something that unites our region. In the true collaborative nature of the area’s nonprofit community, several hundred organizations came together to enhance the spirit of unity the 2020 Giving Challenge presents and quickly developed a video - dubbed the #WeAreOne video - to remind our region of the possibilities we have to work together to support one another. 

(April 2020; 1 minute)

Family Togetherness at Selby Garden's Lights in Bloom 2019

We are proud to partner with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to sponsor Family Togetherness Night, giving hundreds of children and families the opportunity to explore, learn, and enjoy one of our region's cultural gems under the holiday lights.

(December 2019; 3 minutes)

40 Years of Creating Community

Trust has been - and always will be - an essential catalyst for strengthening and sustaining our community. In 1979 the Community Foundation of Sarasota County was founded by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and their charitable dreams. Our Community Foundation exists to strengthen our entire community. See how all of us come together to as we celebrate every person and organization we are connected with through our work.
 
(November 2019; 4 minutes)
 

2019 Scholarship Recipients

Hear from some of our 2019 scholarship recipients about their career plans and how support from our donors has enabled them to pursue their academic dreams though education.

(June 2019; 6 minutes)

Summer Learning Academies

In 2012, a pilot program was developed with a passionate donor and trailblazing elementary school principal. More than a decade later, with great support from additional donors and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, along with Sarasota County Schools, the Summer Learning Academies model expanded to all Title I elementary schools in the district. 

(June 2019; 7 minutes)

A Living Legacy: The Muriel O'Neil Fund for the Performing Arts

Learn how conversations among a donor, an estate planning attorney, and Community Foundation of Sarasota County created sustainable funding for several cultural institutions in our area — Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, The Players Centre for Performing Arts, and WEDU.

(March 2019; 4 minutes)

2018 Giving Challenge

For 24 hours during the 2018 Giving Challenge, our community's generosity came to life through dozens of events and celebrations. These are just a few of the fun-filled moments that inspired giving and celebrated the work our nonprofit community makes happen each day.

(June 2018; 5 minutes)

Anne Patterson Art Installation

Learn about Anne Patterson’s “Circle of Thirds,” the beautiful yet powerful piece of art in our lobby that represents our mission to connect nonprofits, donors, and the community together.

(January 2018; 5 minutes)

Be The One with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Each one of us has the potential to impact a person, a cause, a community. For 40 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has matched donors to causes, creating lasting impact. You can be the one to make a difference.

(November 2015; 1 minute)

EdExplore SRQ Origami Class

Watch as students at the Suncoast School for Innovative Studies learn how to create fun origami pieces with guest artist Kuniko Yamamoto courtesy of the EdExploreSRQ program.

(January 2015; 2 minutes)

2014 Giving Challenge

Experience the excitement of the 2014 Giving Challenge all over again, a celebration of support and generosity for local nonprofits making a difference in the lives of families across generations.

(May 2014; 3 minutes)