Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards $322,000 to 29 Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded $322,450 through its programmatic and capacity building grant cycles to 29 nonprofits serving Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties.

These grants support critical services in education, health care, basic needs, and strategic development, all of which aim to empower nonprofits and the people they serve. Programmatic grants directly fund services that address immediate community needs, especially for individuals and families facing economic hardship. Capacity building grants, meanwhile, help organizations improve their internal operations by funding areas such as strategic planning, technology upgrades, and leadership development—tools that strengthen long-term impact.

“Investing in nonprofits through programmatic and capacity building grants is an investment in the well-being and resilience of our entire community,” said Kirsten Russell, vice president of community impact at the Community Foundation. “Together, these grants fuel both action and endurance, helping nonprofits break down systemic barriers and build a stronger, more equitable future for all."

Meeting Basic Needs: Food, Education, and Stability

In communities across the region, many individuals face daily challenges to meet their basic needs. According to the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, 32 percent of Sarasota County residents, 41 percent of DeSoto residents, and comparable numbers in Manatee and Charlotte counties struggle to afford essential expenses despite being employed. Additionally, 51 percent of students in Sarasota and 63 percent in Manatee County qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs. Free or reduced-price lunch data is an important indicator that provides insights into the socioeconomic status of students. Understanding this is crucial for identifying and addressing barriers that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds may face in their educational journey.

Grants have been awarded to the following organizations helping residents achieve stability and access to food, education, and health support:

• Am and Fm Enterprise Inc. Helps the elderly, senior, and less fortunate maintain dignity with love.
• Baby Basics of Sarasota County Inc. is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that provides diapers, wipes, books, and kindness to low-income working families who do not receive government assistance.
• Foster the Family Florida supports and encourages foster and adoptive families while mobilizing and equipping the community and church for foster care and adoption, and advocates for vulnerable children.
• Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Inc. builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
• Links to Success provides resources, services, experiences, and guidance to prepare students for post-secondary education and careers.
• Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Inc. assists individuals to live independently by providing caring, supportive services. In addition to the traditional delivered meals to homebound or disabled seniors, this program also includes the Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, and Friendship Dining Centers.
• North Port Meals on Wheels is dedicated to delivering one nutritious meal and one friendly visit per day to local seniors who are unable to prepare a meal for themselves to remain independent and healthy in their own homes.
• One More Child Foundation Inc. provides services to vulnerable children and struggling families through foster care, anti-trafficking, child hunger, and single moms and family support programs.
• Take Stock in Children of Manatee County Inc. provides college scholarships, mentors, and hope for deserving at-risk students to break the cycle of poverty and help them reach their greatest potential.
• Truly Valued Inc. promotes positive self-esteem, education, confidence, and character among youth and families.
• Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast Inc. provides professional spiritually integrated counseling services.
• Sarasota Sharks Inc. provides an environment where all patrons can develop as individuals through participation in an array of aquatic programming.
• St. Vincent DePaul CARES addresses the devastating impact homelessness has on people and engages the community in support of solutions-based responses to rapidly rehouse without barriers and provide wrap-around services to ensure long-term stability for the people it serves.
• Manatee Children's Services advocates for and provides the resources, skills, and shelter to alleviate abuse through prevention and intervention for all children and their families.
• UnidosNow Inc. supports the growing Latino community in Manatee and Sarasota counties through education, integration, and civic engagement.

Championing Inclusion: Disability Services

Supporting disability services is essential to building a community where everyone can thrive. These organizations empower individuals with disabilities through advocacy, education, therapeutic support, and inclusion initiatives.

Grants were awarded to:

• Children's Dream Fund Inc. makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses living throughout West Central Florida.
• Easterseals Southwest Florida Inc. provides services for people with disabilities and their families across a lifetime by empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest.
• Face Autism provides sensory-friendly activities, support groups, therapeutic services, structured classes, and other necessary resources to families with autistic children in the Gulf Coast area, empowering autistic youth with the necessary developmental and educational skills to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
• Foundation for Dreams Inc. celebrates the abilities and develops the strengths of children with special needs and chronic illnesses ages 7-17 by collaborating with families to provide individualized result-based goals, family support, and recreation in a camp environment.
• Special Olympics Florida Inc. provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
• Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. aka Dogs Inc. supports individuals with extraordinary dogs that transform lives throughout the country at no cost to recipients, offering lifetime support free of charge.

Inspiring Creativity: Arts & Culture Organizations

Arts organizations play a critical role in cultural enrichment, education and economic vitality. They provide platforms for expression, preserve local heritage, and foster the creative spirit across generations. Local arts and culture organizations support 5,262 jobs and contribute $342.7 million to Sarasota County’s economy, generating $12.3 million in local tax revenue each year.

Grantees in this category include:

• Art 4 Change Inc. creates positive social change through art, education, advocacy, and service.
• CreArte Latino Cultural Center is a channel for cultural exchange between Latinx/Hispanics and the community at large through the arts, education, and service.
• Jazz Club of Sarasota promotes, preserves, performs, and educates people about jazz, the original American music art form.
• Key Chorale Inc. is dedicated to transforming lives through innovative programming, artistic excellence, educational outreach, and service to the community.
• Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation Inc. aims to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts.

Protecting the Planet: Environmental and Animal Welfare

Organizations that protect animals and the environment play a pivotal role in building sustainable and compassionate communities. These nonprofits focus on conservation, education, and animal welfare.

Grants were awarded to:

• Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens provides a natural setting along the Peace River showcasing world-class sculpture and unique botanicals to inspire creativity throughout the community.
• Animal Rescue Coalition benefits animals and the people who love them by providing access to affordable, high-quality spay/neuter services and veterinary care.
• Humane Society of Sarasota County Inc. is a no-kill shelter that engages the hearts, hands, and minds of the community to help animals.

A Collective Investment in Community Impact

Grants offered through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County are fulfilling the philanthropic legacies of the donors who have entrusted the foundation with their charitable dollars. To learn more about the annual grant requirements and program dates, click here.

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About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $544 million in more than 1,590 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $56 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare, and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $500 million to area nonprofit organizations in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, call (941) 955-3000.