Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards $203,000 in Grants Promoting Animal Welfare

Grants support nonprofit organizations that serve domestic animals and promote their humane care in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties

SARASOTA, FL – Through its annual Animal Welfare competitive grant cycle, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded 14 local nonprofit organizations that promote the humane care of domestic animals across four counties, as well as the care of all animals located in Sarasota County that have yet to find a home.

With generous support from the Helen C. Schwieder Fund, Robert Parker Fund, and others, $203,000 has been provided to support veterinarian visits, medicines, food, emergency medical services, and rehabilitative care for animals in need. Grants will also work towards strengthening nonprofit capacity through the development of volunteer and foster care programs. A committee of community volunteers, staff, and local animal welfare experts were part of the evaluation process.

“Animals hold a special place within our families and hearts. The organizations that care for our lifelong companions help guide us to a more humane community,” says Kirsten Russell, Vice President, Community Impact. “By centering programs on animal wellbeing, our nonprofit partners bring us closer connections, one paw or hoof at a time.”

Programs Supported: Veterinary Treatment and Volunteer Program Development

• Birds of Paradise Sanctuary & Rescue
• Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
• Easterseals Southwest Florida
• Fox Foster Kittens
• Friends of Manatee County Animal Services
• Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch
• Humane Society of Manatee County
• Humane Society of Sarasota County
• Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue
• Prospect Riding Center
• Satchel’s Last Resort
• Suncoast Humane Society
• Venice Cat Coalition
• Vintage Paws Sanctuary

In the last two years alone, Animal Welfare Grants have invested $376,000 to 21 local nonprofit organizations working towards the betterment of animals in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. The Animal Welfare competitive grant cycle is offered annually each spring.

For more than 40 years, with the trust of the community, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $323 million to support causes touching not only animal welfare, but also education, health and human services, the arts, and the environment, among others. To learn more about Animal Welfare Grants or view available grant opportunities, visit www.cfsarasota.org/nonprofits/grants

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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 $421 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $48.9 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 $323 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.