Q & A

Project 180 Founder Barbara Richards Reflects on Helping Former Prisoners Rebuild Their Lives

Richards is stepping down from her role with the organization she founded.

12/02/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Pie Day!

Celebrity Chef Marvin Woods Helps Local Students Make Thanksgiving Pie—With an Educational Twist

Woods, the first chef to launch former First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" cooking series, taught students at Visible Men Academy how to make a delicious apple pie from scratch.

11/26/2024 By Lauren Jackson

To the Rescue

Grey Bull Rescue Helped Florida Residents as Hurricane Helene Struck

The Tampa-based, veteran-led nonprofit team—which has done rescue missions in Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan and Russia—made its way to Sarasota to provide aid.

09/30/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Affordable Housing

In the Wake of Florida's Arts Funding Cuts, Florida Studio Theatre Receives Workforce Housing Grant for Its New Arts Plaza

Ron DeSantis cut $32 million in funding from Florida's arts budget—but a $1 million grant for affordable housing made it through for Florida Studio Theatre. That means the organization is on track to break ground on a new $57 million project next year.

07/10/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Hi, Bonsai

The Sarasota Region Is Home to a Dedicated Group of Bonsai Lovers

The art of creating these miniature trees isn't only for karate masters—but bonsai owners are obsessed with their craft.

07/05/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Good Build

New Housing For Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Is On The Horizon

The Haven, a local nonprofit, is poised to build new supported independent housing on a parcel it recently acquired near its campus on DeSoto Road. It will be life-changing for its residents.

07/03/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Barking Up the Right Tree

Let's Meet Some Adorable Future Guide Dogs

Southeastern Guide Dogs breeds, raises and delivers highly trained dogs that change lives by offering companionship, guidance, safety, support and boundless love.

03/21/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Affordable Housing

A New Affordable Housing Project Is Headed to North Tamiami Trail

New Trail Plaza in Sarasota will bring almost 100 units entirely dedicated to workforce and affordable housing tenants.

02/15/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Ora Hour

A Look at The Ora, Sarasota's Newest Events Venue

The Ora will offer fine-dining catering and top-tier tech, but it's also helping to fill the area's need for more luxury event space with lots of square footage.

01/23/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Volunteer Power

Volunteer Help Spikes During the Holidays, but Local Nonprofits Rely on It Year-Round

"Ninety-eight percent of our power relies on volunteer labor,” says Victoria Hasselbring, manager of donor stewardship at All Faiths Food Bank

11/20/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Winging It

Save Our Seabirds' New CEO Wants to Help the Organization Take Flight

Brian Walton, a veteran leader of non-profits, has taken on the effort to expand Save Our Seabirds' facilities and veterinary services for injured wildlife.

11/20/2023 By Catherine Hicks/Community News Collaborative

Helping Heroes

Sarasota’s First Affordable Housing Project for Veterans Just Broke Ground

Thanks to area nonprofits, donors and gifted land, the city’s first veteran-focused affordable housing units are slated for completion next year.

11/01/2023 By Kim Doleatto

High Tide

A Look at the New Sarasota Youth Sailing Building That's Headed to Lido Key

Sarasota Youth Sailing, in partnership with Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sail Sarasota and Luffing Lassies, is poised to get a new educational youth sailing building to serve the growing demand for the water sport. Fundraising is currently underway.

09/27/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Grant Report

Barancik Foundation Announces $5 Million in Grants for 13 Nonprofits

The money will go toward efforts to improve education, mental health treatment, the arts, the environment and more.

08/07/2023 By Staff

High Winds

Photos: Sarasota Youth Sailing’s Annual Sailfest Regatta

This past weekend, the 35th annual regatta drew more than 250 young sailors to race off the shore of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and Ken Thompson Park.

04/03/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Old Flame

A New Program Seeks to Save Sarasota's Historic Homes and Buildings Forever

Property owners can now apply for an easement that bars demolition in perpetuity.

01/27/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Trees, Please

Sarasota County's First Micro Forest Has Macro Impact

Local groups are fighting climate change by planting micro forests. You can see the first local one at the Celery Fields, where it doubles as an outdoor classroom.

11/29/2022 By Kim Doleatto

In the Key of Gifting

A Sarasota Grand Piano Finds a New Home in a Historic Mississippi Church

Anonymous donors gifted their mint-condition piano to the church, which hosted civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson.

10/17/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Post-Ian

Anna Maria's Wildlife Inc. Has Taken in a Flood of Animals Ravaged by Hurricane Ian

The morning after the hurricane made landfall on Florida's west coast, the center took in roughly 160 animals in need of care.

10/10/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Hurricane Ian

How to Help People in Florida Affected by Hurricane Ian

Check out this list of local and national organizations mobilizing to help those who suffered most.

10/03/2022 By Kim Doleatto

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