Sarasota-Manatee community raises historic $7.2 million for Season of Sharing

In the wake of a historic series of catastrophic storms, residents of the Sarasota region have made history themselves by raising an astonishing $7.2 million for the annual Season of Sharing campaign to help their neighbors in distress.

Coming on the 25th anniversary of the campaign established by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC) and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the amount sets a new record – surpassing the previous record set three years ago by almost $3 million.

Nearly half of the almost $7.2 million raised this year includes large contributions from several area philanthropists and foundations. But the remaining half on its own – donated by ordinary residents – still would have resulted in one of the Season of Sharing's most successful fundraising campaigns.

Of the 2,743 gifts received this year, the average donation was less than $100, according to the CFSC.

Large and small, every donation has been badly needed following three back-to-back hurricanes and an ongoing housing and childcare crisis.

“In the face of widespread challenges, it is heartening to witness this incredible outpouring of support from our generous community,” said Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the CFSC.

“The devastation brought by these storms upended people’s lives at a time that many are already experiencing economic strain,” she added. “These dollars will go a long way in helping people rebound from setbacks, helping to stabilize our entire community.”

Throughout the year the funds assist residents of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties who are facing an emergency. Monies can be used toward housing, utility, childcare and transportation expenses.

This year’s widespread storm damage led to broad displacement and work disruptions, resulting in soaring hardship and need, CFSC reported.

“For those families living on the economic edge, any emergency — a hospital visit, gap in paychecks, the death of a spouse — can send them spiraling into financial crisis that can be difficult, if not impossible, to recover from,” said Kirsten Russell, CFSC's vice president of community impact.

“When they get just a bit of reprieve by having a bill covered, it can make the difference between stability and compounding debt that can leave them homeless,” Russell added. “This is clearly good for recipients of assistance, and ultimately good for the entire community.”

Since November alone, more than $1.4 million was distributed to 885 households.

Major donations from several area foundations and philanthropists got the campaign off to a strong start, including a $1 million gift from The Patterson Foundation.

As it has through much of Season of Sharing’s history, Patterson also provided a match of $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community, which amounted to a second gift of $1 million – its largest matching grant ever for Season of Sharing.

Others included a $500,000 matching donation by The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation; $500,000 from Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr.; a $250,000 matching and $250,000 outright gift by The Baltimore Orioles; and a $100,000 donation by The Bishop-Parker Foundation for residents of hard-hit Manatee County.

Through its 25 years, the fund has seen residents through everything from the Great Recession and bouts of red tide to the COVID pandemic, hurricanes and the housing crisis.

In all those years it has raised and distributed $50 million to help more than 55,000 individuals and households.

For Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, Season of Sharing provides the perfect time-tested conduit for the community's generosity.

“Seasoned donors and citizen philanthropists of all means and backgrounds know where to turn when hardship threatens the well-being of their neighbors,” Jacobs said. “Their response is a testament to our community’s trust in Season of Sharing’s proven model and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s exceptional stewardship.”

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See this story as it originally appeared on Feb. 10, 2025, in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune here.