The Gulf Coast Community Foundation last week approved over $5.8 million in grants and scholarships. The money will be used to support the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s First 1000 Days Sarasota County initiative, the Gulf Coast Partnership's efforts to address homelessness in Charlotte County, United Way of Charlotte County initiatives that serve vulnerable women, Ringling College of Art and Design and Sarasota County Schools' support for struggling students and the Van Wezel Foundation's plans to create a world-class performing arts center. Other smaller grants will fund programs and projects at regional nonprofits.