The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded 16 nonprofit organizations grants of more than $320,000 in its second Equity and Access competitive grant cycle.  The support will enhance programs that care for underrepresented and geographically under-served populations within Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties that face longstanding and systemic barriers to education and healthcare services. Since its inception last year, the Equity and Access Grant cycles have awarded $455,000 to 21 local nonprofit organizations.

The current crop of grant recipients include Community Assisted and Supported Living (CASL), Dreamers Academy, Equality Florida Institute, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Foundation for Dreams, Gulfcoast Legal Services, Loveland Center, Manatee Literacy Council, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, Modern Marimba, New College Foundation, Prospect Riding Center, Ringling College of Art and Design, Safe Children Coalition, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and Tidewell Foundation.