The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded eight local nonprofit organizations significant funding to offer, expand and enhance health care assistance directly to individuals in Sarasota County. The grants, which total $286,000, have been invested in increasing access and use of services for vulnerable populations, particularly communities of color, immigrants, persons with disabilities, and single mothers. Nearly half of this funding will address the mental health needs of families and children by connecting individuals with treatments, therapists, and networks of support.

The organizations receiving funding are the following:

• Beyond the Spectrum
• Child Protection Center
• Englewood Community Care Clinic
• First Step of Sarasota
• Forty Carrots Family Center
• Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida
• Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast
• Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation