February 19, 2025
Local Hurricane Relief and Recovery Strengthened by 4.2 Million Dollars
Categories: Season of Sharing, The Patterson Foundation, Response and Recovery,
Even as many throughout the Suncoast continue to recover from Hurricane Ian’s landfall in 2022, our region was hit with an unprecedented hurricane season in 2024. From June 19, when Alberto formed, to Nov. 18, when Sara dissipated, there were 18 named storms, including seven tropical storms and 11 hurricanes. Between Debby, Helene, and Milton, along with an unnamed storm that brought record-breaking rainfall, the Suncoast was hit hard.
To strengthen relief and recovery efforts in southwest Florida, The Patterson Foundation gave a total of $4.2 million in the months before, during, and after the 2024 hurricane season. The funding included immediate gifts and matching contributions to a pair of initiatives managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Combined with contributions of all sizes from Community Foundation donors, these gifts and match opportunities helped catalyze a total of $11.7 million to both initiatives following a devastating hurricane season.
Here is a breakdown of these contributions:
Season of Sharing — $2 Million Total
The Patterson Foundation gave a $1 million gift to Season of Sharing to provide immediate assistance to local individuals and families following the storms, along with an additional $1 million from a challenge match for community donations. Additionally, The Patterson Foundation donated $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community for Season of Sharing through January 2025.
A trusted, time-tested safety net for 25 years, Season of Sharing covers expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare to help avoid compounding financial setbacks that can be the result of a missed payment. All funds raised by the community for Season of Sharing go directly to the entity owed — landlord, utility company, childcare provider, or auto mechanic — to ensure that the debt is covered. During the 2024 hurricane season, Season of Sharing funds provided a financial bridge for people who were displaced from their homes or unable to return to work.
Those in need can contact 2-1-1 to request support through a case worker.
Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund — $2.2 Million Total
To help support long-term recovery in local communities, The Patterson Foundation contributed $1.2 million total in gifts, in addition to $1 million through a dollar-for-dollar match on donations $50,000 or less, to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.
Established in 2022 as a response to Hurricane Ian, the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund provides long-term support to nonprofit organizations assisting with community recovery that begins once emergency relief efforts conclude. It specifically focuses on supporting vital community resources of those living here, including mental and behavioral health, legal services, case management, and children and youth services, as well as efforts identified by long-term recovery groups within Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
Recently, the Community Foundation awarded $650,000 to 21 local human service organizations to support their hurricane recovery and safeguard their ability to serve the region.
“Over the years of responding to various disasters at home and abroad, The Patterson Foundation has learned the importance of strengthening both short-term relief efforts and longer-term recovery strategies,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Season of Sharing and the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund have proven their capacity to create meaningful impact in both ways respectively. Whether you’re a major philanthropic funder or an individual inspired to make a difference, everyone can trust in these initiatives to help people, organizations, and communities in our region navigate challenges like the recent storms.”
While a community faces many clear challenges immediately following a hurricane or other large-scale disaster, many more only emerge months and years later. Funding efforts that support both short-term relief and long-term recovery can help ensure that communities recover from these challenges while growing more resilient to future disasters.
“The Patterson Foundation has amplified the generosity of so many who are committed to our community’s well-being. Their sustained collaboration for Season of Sharing and our Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is truly transformative,” said Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are so grateful for their unwavering support, which has bolstered all our efforts to be a resource for our community today, and longer-term.”
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County continues to accept donations to both initiates to help Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties respond to future crises. Learn more about these initiatives and ways to support them.
To strengthen relief and recovery efforts in southwest Florida, The Patterson Foundation gave a total of $4.2 million in the months before, during, and after the 2024 hurricane season. The funding included immediate gifts and matching contributions to a pair of initiatives managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Combined with contributions of all sizes from Community Foundation donors, these gifts and match opportunities helped catalyze a total of $11.7 million to both initiatives following a devastating hurricane season.
Here is a breakdown of these contributions:
Season of Sharing — $2 Million Total
The Patterson Foundation gave a $1 million gift to Season of Sharing to provide immediate assistance to local individuals and families following the storms, along with an additional $1 million from a challenge match for community donations. Additionally, The Patterson Foundation donated $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community for Season of Sharing through January 2025.
A trusted, time-tested safety net for 25 years, Season of Sharing covers expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare to help avoid compounding financial setbacks that can be the result of a missed payment. All funds raised by the community for Season of Sharing go directly to the entity owed — landlord, utility company, childcare provider, or auto mechanic — to ensure that the debt is covered. During the 2024 hurricane season, Season of Sharing funds provided a financial bridge for people who were displaced from their homes or unable to return to work.
Those in need can contact 2-1-1 to request support through a case worker.
Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund — $2.2 Million Total
To help support long-term recovery in local communities, The Patterson Foundation contributed $1.2 million total in gifts, in addition to $1 million through a dollar-for-dollar match on donations $50,000 or less, to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.
Established in 2022 as a response to Hurricane Ian, the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund provides long-term support to nonprofit organizations assisting with community recovery that begins once emergency relief efforts conclude. It specifically focuses on supporting vital community resources of those living here, including mental and behavioral health, legal services, case management, and children and youth services, as well as efforts identified by long-term recovery groups within Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
Recently, the Community Foundation awarded $650,000 to 21 local human service organizations to support their hurricane recovery and safeguard their ability to serve the region.
“Over the years of responding to various disasters at home and abroad, The Patterson Foundation has learned the importance of strengthening both short-term relief efforts and longer-term recovery strategies,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “Season of Sharing and the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund have proven their capacity to create meaningful impact in both ways respectively. Whether you’re a major philanthropic funder or an individual inspired to make a difference, everyone can trust in these initiatives to help people, organizations, and communities in our region navigate challenges like the recent storms.”
While a community faces many clear challenges immediately following a hurricane or other large-scale disaster, many more only emerge months and years later. Funding efforts that support both short-term relief and long-term recovery can help ensure that communities recover from these challenges while growing more resilient to future disasters.
“The Patterson Foundation has amplified the generosity of so many who are committed to our community’s well-being. Their sustained collaboration for Season of Sharing and our Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is truly transformative,” said Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are so grateful for their unwavering support, which has bolstered all our efforts to be a resource for our community today, and longer-term.”
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County continues to accept donations to both initiates to help Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties respond to future crises. Learn more about these initiatives and ways to support them.
See this story as it originally appeared on Feb. 18, 2025, on The Patterson Foundation website, here.