Thirteen days after Hurricane Helene decimated our coastlines, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota County, causing widespread damage throughout the region. Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) activated its Rapid Response Fund knowing the need for fast, critical support in our community would be immense. Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund has provided 18 grants totaling over $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. “Our team began preparations the week before Hurricane Milton’s arrival, and our Board met to pre-authorize additional funding for our Rapid Response Fund. Because of this steadfast dedication, the first grant from our Rapid Response Fund was awarded to United Way of South Sarasota County seven hours before Hurricane Milton’s landfall,” said Gulf Coast’s President | CEO Phillip Lanham. “We know the need in our community is tremendous, and the road to recovery is long. We are a resilient community. Together, we will support each other through the revitalization and recovery process.” Grants from Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund include support for United Way of South Sarasota County; Lift Church; Second Heart Homes; Better Together; Awaken Outreach Center; Operation Warrior Resolution; Sarasota County NAACP; Gulf Coast Partnership; Disaster Aid USA; Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota; Second Chance, Last Opportunity; Multicultural Health Institute; One More Child; Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County; Harvest House; Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. (CASL); and EqualSRQ Inc. National organizations have contributed to Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund, including support from Humana Foundation and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi. Donors and community members interested in contributing to Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund can visit gulfcoastcf.org/rapidresponsefund.