Photo of AMIKids (Associated Marine Institutes) going out on the boat in Tampa Bay for a floating classroom session, where they discuss the environment around them. Credit info: Conor Goulding / Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is thrilled to announce its second year in a row jumping in the deep end with Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with a recent partnership grant for $55,000 for the upcoming season. The support comes from two funds at Community Foundation, the Martha Leither and Nancy Streeman Fund III and the Walter Haskins Fund in memory of Stacey K. Haskins. This year’s grant will provide support for several Mote programs such as the Strategic Partnerships Program for underserved and underrepresented youth, children and special-needs adults. Representative partners for this community-based marine science education program include AMI Kids, Booker High School, The Boys & Girls Club, Children First, Easter Seals, Girls Inc., Oak Park School, R.L. Taylor Community Center and others.

“The Community Foundation is once again proud to support a local leader in marine research and education,” says Roxie Jerde, the Community Foundation’s President & CEO. “Their commitment to providing access to marine science education and experiences to all, including underserved youth and young women, is unparalleled, and with this partnership grant, we look forward to another year of being a part of the positive impact Mote has on our community.”

The generous grant will also help a bright young woman dive into her dreams of following in the footsteps of Eugenie Clark. Community Foundation’s support will benefit Mote Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) student intern Maria Shehata, the recipient of Mote’s Eugenie Clark Marine Research Fellowship. This fellowship provides Shehata the support to continue her opportunity to advance her research skills and experience through the four-year internship at Mote. “Mote Marine Laboratory deeply values the support of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,” says Erin Kabinoff, Mote’s Director of Development. “The Community Foundation’s commitment to Mote’s mission ensures we are able to provide opportunities for the next generation of women interested in science and increase access to marine science programming for children and youth in our community.”

Lastly, the grant allows for sponsorship support of Mote’s keystone events throughout the year, including Tea for the Sea, World Oceans Day, Teach-A-Kid Fishing & Ecology Clinic and the closest one to date, Oceanic Evening, taking place on October 27.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with SRQ Media Group to highlight stories about community impact powered by philanthropy in our region, thanks to the support of donors and our local nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community.

Photo of AMIKids (Associated Marine Institutes) going out on the boat in Tampa Bay for a floating classroom session, where they discuss the environment around them. Credit info: Conor Goulding / Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mote Marine Event Calendar