The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently awarded more than $8.7 million in grants that will improve access to education, career opportunities, cultural experiences, and more, including $1.8 million to Sarasota County Schools; $1.5 million to the YMCA of Southwest Florida; $750,000 to Resilient Retreat; and $350,000 to the Myakka River Partnership, among others.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood launched a new program last year at Innovation Academy SRQ, a tuition-free public charter school serving VPK through fifth grade. Now, an $80,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will expand that program and bring dedicated school-based mental health services to Star Lab, a private K-5 elementary school, for the first time. Funding for this grant was made possible by the foundation’s Allen Wirtz Nobbe and Jo Bowen Nobbe Fund, Edward K. Roberts Fund and Leslie and Margaret Weller Fund.

Satchel's Last Resort Animal Shelter and Sanctuary exceeded its $50,000 fundraising goal, raising $54,736 for the dogs and cats in its care during its annual Satchel's Giving Day celebration.

Children First has received more than $80,000 in recent grant support to expand its programs across Sarasota County, including a $30,000 grant from the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation; $15,000 from the Wilson-Wood Foundation; $15,000 from the Bernard & Mildred Doyle Charitable Trust; $10,000 from the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Foundation; $10,000 from The Libertore Fund for Children; and $1,884 from the MSC Foundation. Additionally, The Zenith contributed $1,555.88 for backpacks and school supplies for Children First’s rising kindergartners.

Second Heart Homes has received a $15,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to strengthen the organization’s ability to track and evaluate the progress of residents who have experienced homelessness and live with mental illness. 

Urban Edge Mentorship, Inc. will recognize the Sarasota High School football program, its coaching staff and its student-athletes with a $20,000 contribution in recognition of the team's commitment to community service and leadership during the 2025–2026 school year.

Embracing Our Differences has received a $33,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota to support its educational initiatives in Sarasota County.

Argument of Time, a new Sarasota-based arts nonprofit founded by poet Teresa Carson and producer Cynthia Burnell, has received a $5,000 grant from the Johnson Singer Foundation to support an October 2026 residency bringing together six artists to develop “Visit to an Extinct City,” a multidisciplinary performance project inspired by the ancient Roman city of Ostia Antica. 

Sarasota Orchestra has received a $65,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund II. The funding will support the Orchestra’s Pops Supper Club event, as well as its Young Person’s Concerts and Family Concert. The orchestra also received $25,000 in grant funding from The Exchange in support of the its Young Person’s Concerts (YPC), including a Program Grant of $20,000, as well as $5,000 from the Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grant. 

All Faiths Food Bank has received a $10,000 grant from Wawa and The Wawa Foundation.