Organizations Mobilize to Provide Hurricane Relief Funding Throughout Sarasota-Manatee
Image: Hannah Trombly
SeaPort Manatee will receive $9.5 million in emergency funding to jumpstart recovery from Hurricane Milton, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Monday, Oct. 14.
Bank of America announced that it has committed $2 million to the American Red Cross and other organizations on the ground to support those impacted by Hurricane Milton. The first $1.5 million will be deployed now to the American Red Cross as they focus on providing immediate relief in Florida, including shelter, food, supplies and mental health services to those who need assistance. The remaining $500,000 will be allocated as needs are identified with partners supporting relief efforts in Florida. This $2 million is in addition to $1 million the bank committed in funding to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene, as it works closely with local organizations in those communities as well.
Through its Rapid Response Fund, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has provided 18 grants totaling more than $500,000 in life-sustaining support to boots-on-the-ground nonprofit organizations that provide immediate shelter, food and water, case managers and case navigators, mental health services, and humanitarian muck and gut to those impacted by the recent hurricanes.
The Patterson Foundation has initiated major support for two initiatives managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: activating its challenge match of donating $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community for Season of Sharing to help provide a financial bridge for those displaced from their homes or facing disruptions from work; and seeding the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund with an additional $100,000 to help support long-term recovery efforts led by local nonprofits in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM)'s charitable foundation has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors Relief Foundation. The grant will provide up to $2,000 in housing relief to victims of Hurricane Debby to help cover rent or mortgage payments for their primary residence.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week that the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is receiving $100,000 for hurricane relief for public schools in Sarasota County. This award is designated to the recently established Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund, a partnership between the Education Foundation and Sarasota County Schools, to accept monetary donations supporting the local school district and its nearly 5,300 employees.
The Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) recently raised $5,000 for hurricane relief efforts in support of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Season of Sharing campaign to help our community regain stability from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has awarded a grant of $750,000 to fully fund Safe Children Coalition’s Talent Retention Project. The funds will be utilized over a two-year period to implement strategies aimed at increasing the success rate of hiring the right candidates for high-stress child welfare positions, leadership succession, and fostering a culture of job satisfaction and retention within the organization.
Embracing Our Differences recently received a $50,000 Empowering Arts Grant Award through the Charlotte Ellis Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant will support various aspects of the organization’s year-round educational initiatives and strengthen its mission.
Florida Studio Theatre (FST) also recently received a $65,000 Empowering Arts Grant Award through the Mildred and Garrett Eelman Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This grant will underwrite FST’s upcoming three-show winter cabaret Series, four-show winter mainstage series, and 2025 summer mainstage series.
The Master’s in Applied Data Science program at New College announced today it has received nearly $98,000 in grant funding from the Agricultural Research Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This grant will fund paid internships for students in 2025, marking the third consecutive year the USDA has sponsored the work of New College data science students. The program leverages data science and AI to address pressing challenges in agriculture, sustainability, and environmental science while equipping students with critical skills for high-demand careers.
All Star Children's Foundation recently received a $9,600 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support a one-time professional service fee for the migration and training necessary to implement a new customer relationship management (CRM) tool.
Parenting Matters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in Sarasota and Manatee counties through parenting education and support, has been awarded $5,000 from Anderson & Associates Insurance Group.
