Get in on the Giving Challenge

The Patterson Foundation's $300 million endowment (following more than $120 million in disbursements) traces back to the fortune of Joseph Medill, who, in 1855, became the owner of the Chicago Tribune. Dorothy Clarke Patterson, wife of Medill’s great-grandson James J. Patterson, was the foundation's benefactor, and it continues her commitment to a community strengthened by philanthropic engagement.

We are blessed with a vibrant nonprofit community in which thousands of organizations throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties work tirelessly to bridge the gap between needed and available resources. The scope and variety of such organizations across the four-county region are among the most impressive you'll find in any comparably sized area in the United States.

That said, just about every single one could do much more if only they had additional resources, and for the more than 700 nonprofit organizations participating, the Giving Challenge is a critical source of resources that are used to extend their reach.

No matter what social challenges you are passionate about, a nonprofit in our community is likely working to help those impacted. TBT readers consistently demonstrate concern for protecting our local environmental resources, and non-profits like ManaSota 88 and Suncoast Waterkeeper are excellent organizations that hope the community will take advantage of the event to support their ongoing efforts to fight for environmental justice.

In Cortez, the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum are also counting on Giving Challenge matches to help them preserve the historic fishing village's history. WSLR, the Sarasota-based low-power FM community radio station, is another very important community resource that relies on the event to help meet expenses. Our area also has a rich theater scene, which relies on philanthropy to bridge the cost between the price of tickets and the cost of production, so Urbanite, the Asolo Rep, and the Florida Studio Theatre are also soliciting support.

Food Banks, youth organizations, the Humane Society and other pet-related organizations, community centers, and service clubs are only some of the other categories of organizations that your support can benefit. Visit the Giving Challenge leaderboard to get a look at more. Click on any of the organizations on the list to donate.

This story originally appeared in The Bradenton Times on April 9, 2024. Read it in its original publication here.