The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently awarded $2.7 million in funding focusing on supporting health and human service needs, building equity for communities of color, and protecting the environment. Half of the grant recipients are new partners to Barancik Foundation, and a third are minority-led nonprofits.

Grants totaling $1,568,973 have been awarded to strengthen organizations providing direct support to children and families and building the resilience of our community, including Centerstone, The Twig Cares, Forty Carrots Family Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Learning Independence for Tomorrow Academy, and My Warrior’s Place.

Grants totaling $478,640 in funding has been granted to build the capacity of organizations led by people of color and meet the needs of our region’s most vulnerable students. Funds will also expand efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Grantees include SOAR Learning Center, Links to Success, Laurel Civic Association, Second Chance Last Opportunity, and Sarasota Art Museum.

A $140,000 grant was awarded to Partners for Green Places to fund the Solar Loan Impact Program, providing opportunities for nonprofit organizations to make the switch to renewable energy. Additionally, $30,000 in funding was provided to Sunshine Community Compost to cover operating and start-up costs as they build a viable model for composting in Sarasota County.

Barancik Foundation continues to partner with Gulf Coast Community Foundation in identifying immediate nonprofit needs and fulfilling critical funding gaps through the COVID-19 Response Initiative. An additional $400,000 was granted to the Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation's joint COVID-19 Response Initiative to meet the community's growing needs and requests.

Finally, the Barancik Foundation’s board of directors has authorized staff to provide flexibility to repurpose existing grant agreements, modify or waive reporting deadlines, and fast-track sponsorship commitments for current nonprofit partners. An extra $94,500 was granted to arts and cultural organizations to support their fundraising activities this year.