Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is excited to announce the opening of The Sarasota Philanthropy Center, an extension of its Venice headquarters, at 1549 State Street, Sarasota. The 5,000-square-foot space will serve as a convening collaborative for Gulf Coast’s nonprofit partners to further their mission through meetings, retreats, and workshops. Gulf Coast’s donor families will enjoy ease of access to their Gulf Coast team not only in Venice, but now in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

“We are thrilled to welcome our incredible donor families and nonprofit partners to The Sarasota Philanthropy Center, a state-of-the-art, sustainable, cutting-edge facility that has been in the planning stages for several years,” said Veronica Thames, Chief Operating Officer for Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “It is truly inspiring to see all of our plans come together, from the architecture to the important sustainability functions to the crisp, modern interior design. What’s even more inspiring is that the space will serve as a convening collaborative for our nonprofit partners, and our donor families will enjoy the ease of access to their Gulf Coast team not only in Venice, but in the heart of downtown Sarasota,” continued Thames. The Sarasota Philanthropy Center furthers the philanthropic potential of our community. With this centralized location in a charming, growing city block in downtown Sarasota, Gulf Coast makes itself more available to its existing Sarasota philanthropic families, as well as having the opportunity to engage the future generation of philanthropists in Sarasota. This space, open to all of Gulf Coast’s nonprofit partners, boasts three community-style rooms and three intimate meeting rooms, where partners have the opportunity to reserve space to convene, collaborate, and celebrate their mission. Gulf Coast ensured that sustainability and future focus was woven throughout the creation of The Sarasota Philanthropy Center. From hand dryers, to the full LED light system, to the recycled wood from the John Ringling Tower Stables in the Board room, Gulf Coast was intentional in making smart decisions that minimize its impact on the local environment. In addition, 11 computer ready work stations for the Gulf Coast team were built to support the growth of the organization with the future of philanthropy in mind. 

Pictured: Interior of The Sarasota Philanthropy Center. Photo courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

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CAN Community Health (CAN) has unveiled its Annual Report for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022. The robust document presents a comprehensive illustration of the organizations existential impact in all the communities it serves. In FY2022, CAN served 21,249 patients in its service area of Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, and outside of its service area in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina. CAN reported substantial growth in its Patient Assistance Fund. The fund, which supports under-resourced patients by helping them cover housing, medical, nutritional, utility, and transportation costs, grew more than two-fold, from $1.26 million in FY2021 to $2.9 million in FY2022. Among other highlights reported by the healthcare nonprofit are extensive year-over-year growth in prevention efforts, the number of patients served, and grants received in crucial areas such as outpatient medical services, medical and non-medical case management, and oral health and early intervention services. For the most recent fiscal year, CAN reports total revenue of $316.9 million, a 45 percent increase over its 2021 total of $217.9 million. In addition, federal, state, and local funding increased from $5.3 million in FY2021 to $6.2 million in FY2022.  

To read the report click here.

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has awarded its 3rd Quarter 2022 “Small and Mighty” (SAM) grants totalling nearly $29,000 to three area nonprofits. These awards will be used for capital purchases and technology upgrades that allow the benefitting organizations to more effectively deliver their mission to the community. About the Award Recipients: La Musica Di Asolo, Inc. - Formed as a 501(c)3 in 1987, La Musica offers performances by outstanding European and American musicians and free admission to students and educators to their concerts. The organization’s primary focus is to reach out to young students, stimulating a love for music which will bring them as older students and adults to rehearsals and performances. Through these programs, La Musica strives to foster a growing audience for the arts. Links2Success - Established in 2013, Links2Success’ goal is to provide resources, services, experiences, and guidance to Desoto County youth in an effort to help them achieve educational success. Students benefit from their Summer Youth, College and Career Prep and College Success programs. Venice MainStreet, Inc. - Incorporated in 1987, Venice MainStreet strives to collaborate with the City of Venice, and other community groups, to preserve and enhance the historic character of Venice, while also promoting and encouraging the economic and community vitality of downtown Venice. The 4rd Quarter SAM grants cycle opens September 30 and will close at 3:59 p.m. on November 1. Organizations wishing to complete a SAM grant application should visit https://selbyfdn.org/sam-grant-application/. Grant recipients will be notified by December 31.  

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The Paradise Center is hosting its second annual “satellite” walk for breast cancer awareness on Longboat Key Saturday, October 22, 2022. “We are thrilled that the organizers of the main event at Nathan Benderson Park are allowing us to host this walk again, simultaneously, on Longboat Key. It provides an opportunity for breast cancer survivors, thrivers and their supporters in our community to come together closer to home,” said Suzy Brenner, Executive Director of The Paradise Center. “Last year we raised more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society and we’re hoping to top that this year.” Suzy is co-captain of the TPC team, the “LBK Paradise Striders” along with Liz Yerkes of Longboat Massage. Liz and Debby Debile with Feel Good Yoga & Massage will be offering free table massages to breast cancer survivors after the walk ($1/minute for others). Team members are invited to walk, jog or stride the approximately 3-mile Longboat Key Loop which begins at The Paradise Center (546 Bay Isles Rd., LBK) and continues through the Longboat Key Club Harbourside community starting at 9:30am. Bottled water provided by Total Air Solutions will be available along the route. Before and after the walk, there will be local business vendors in the parking lot at TPC offering drinks, snacks and other giveaways. Sponsors to date include Design 2000 Hair & Nail Salon, Driftwood Beach, Fitness Quest, Nature’s Gem, Publix, SecurAll Insurance, Thirsty Snail, Total Air Solutions and Turtle Coffee Bar. For sponsorship and volunteer information, contact Suzy Brenner at 941-383-6493. To join the team, use this link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/lbkparadise or visit the ACS Making Strides website, click JOIN and search teams for LBK Paradise Striders. 

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation has announced their only fundraising event of the year, the annual Clays Shoot. The event is Friday, Nov. 18 at Knight Trail Park.  The mission of the Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation is to assist law enforcement who find themselves in unexpected extraordinary personal or family need.  For more information, to register, sponsor or donate a raffle item, please visit: Annual Event | Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Charitable Foundation, Inc. (scsocharitablefoundation.org) or contact Foundation Administrator, Kim Noyes at SCSOCharitableFoundation@gmail.com or 941.228.9144.
 

To learn more click here.

No one should have to go without a clean, dry pair of sockseach day but homeless people usually don’t have a choice. JFCS of the Suncoast is kicking off Sock It To Us, a donation drive seeking socks for struggling veterans, as well as other homeless people and at-risk youth. The collection period runs Sept. 19 through Oct. 14. The socks will be distributed in November in honor of Veterans Day and will go to JFCS’ Veterans Services clients, Family Services clients, and others in need. Homeless people often spend their days on the move and usually are not able to wash their socks. Unlike other articles of clothing that can be worn many days in a row, socks quickly become dirty and tattered, which can lead to discomfort, health concerns and shame. JFCS is collecting thick, comfortable socks for daily wear. White is the number one choice among the homeless community. Dress socks are also needed to help employment-seekers dress professionally and feel confident during job interviews. 

To learn more click here.

CenterPlace Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2022 Christine Sensenig Employee Recognition Award. Jacqueline Galan was awarded this professional development grant at the organization’s September Board meeting. The Christine Sensenig Employee Recognition Award honors a CenterPlace Health Employee that demonstrates a commitment to the organization’s mission and potential for advancement. Staff members are nominated annually, and the award is given in September of each year. The award is a $1,000 grant, to be used for professional development in the recipient's field of work. Jacqueline Galan works as a Dental Assistant Level II and has been at CenterPlace Health for over three years. The grant will be used to advance Galan’s skills through work-related education and training. Her goal is to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and become a dentist. Established and fully funded by the CenterPlace Health Board of Directors, this scholarship honors Christine Sensenig, a previous Board Member, for her leadership and contributions to CenterPlace Health. Sensenig served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for several critical years during the organization’s growth and development. The grant covers work-related education and training that can be used by the employee for professional growth and improved service to CenterPlace Health patients. 

BRICK AND MORTAR | Every major cultural institution seems ready to build a new destination to visit.

Find out more about the city’s upcoming projects through this link, on our social media, or in the September edition of SRQ Magazine! 

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