Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit organization that builds community and promotes economic prosperity, has launched a new online marketplace for Bradenton Market vendors and Downtown Bradenton businesses to come together to sell products and services. Made in Manatee provides these small businesses the opportunity to expand their reach, and makes it easy to promote and buy online.

The Made in Manatee marketplace was created to connect the community with local businesses, strengthen business resiliency online, and cultivate the local economy. By shopping locally online, customers can meet and support Manatee businesses more frequently and conveniently, from the comfort of home, find businesses on the site they may not know about yet, or connect with businesses they’ve always wanted to try.

"Realize Bradenton strives to support and promote the incredible artists and entrepreneurs we have in Manatee County. The Made in Manatee online shop allows us to showcase these small businesses by providing a platform to easily share their products and talents," says Karen Corbin, Executive Director of Realize Bradenton.

Local businesses have been building their Made in Manatee storefronts for holiday shopping. New shops and products will continue to be added so customers are encouraged to check back frequently to see all that Made in Manatee has to offer. The current list of available categories to shop include apparel and accessories, art, books, food and beverage, health and wellness, home and garden, pet supplies and toys and games.

Every purchase made through the marketplace offers an opportunity to make a difference in the economy and keep money in the county. Plus, shoppers can enjoy the convenience of choosing from a variety of offerings all in one place and purchase items tat can be picked up or shipped--right on time for the holidays! 

This Veterans Day, local Suncoast veterans are taking part in very different activities, ones that promotes wellness and stress reduction in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Thankfully the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been implementing hurricane recovery efforts through local nonprofits to support residents impacted by the storm. Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR), one of the grant recipients dedicated to providing holistic care to veterans, received $23,300 in funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. This grant plays a pivotal role in supporting the physical well-being and mental health of veterans and their family members affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, specifically through brain-based healing (trauma therapy) and the provision of essential supplies for alternative therapies such as yoga. The devastating impact of Hurricane Ian left many veterans in dire need of assistance in their healing process. Recognizing the power of holistic care, OWR has been actively working to support veterans in their journey toward recovery, with a specialized technique that can quickly resolve trauma, brain-based healing. Those in South County who were impacted most have been receiving sessions of brain-based healing along with taking part in yoga classes to help alleviate mental stress and calm the nervous system, allowing them to recover from the storm. The support that the Community Foundation of Sarasota County exemplifies the community's commitment to honoring and supporting our veterans. By prioritizing their holistic care, both organizations strive to foster a sense of belonging and provide the tools necessary for veterans to rebuild their lives post-Hurricane Ian. Operation Warrior Resolution invites the community to join in expressing gratitude to the Sarasota Community Foundation for its invaluable support. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of those who have given so much in service to our nation. For more information about Operation Warrior Resolution visit operationwarriorresolution.org, or contact: Jacqueline Woish | Operations Manager, phone: (941) 806-5722, email: jacqueline@operationwarriorresolution.org. 

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce that it has received a $75,000 grant from The Shubert Foundation. The grant will be used for general operating support for FST’s 2023-2024 Season, which opened last month with the original music revue, Up on the Roof, and will run through mid-October 2024. This grant award marks a 25% increase from what the theatre received last year, demonstrating The Shubert Foundation’s committed support of FST’s efforts to produce high-quality theatre at an affordable price. This year, The Shubert Foundation awarded a record $37.9 million in grants to 635 non-profit arts organizations across the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting professional theatre and dance companies, like FST, that develop and produce new work. New Play Development is the lifeblood of FST. Over the past few years, FST has strengthened its commitment to developing new plays, launching collaborations with playwrights like Bernardo Cubría and producing the World Premieres of plays the theatre was integral in helping develop. During the 2022-2023 Season, FST presented over 20 productions, two of which were Regional Premieres and eight of which were World Premieres. 

Nominations for the second annual Emerging Leader Awards are open. Sponsored by community advocates Bill and Barbara Little, the program selects three emerging leaders in physical, behavioral, and environmental health; human services; and arts and culture. The awards will be presented at the Collaboration Celebration breakfast on February 29, 2024, where each recipient will receive $1,000 to advance their leadership goals. Tiona Settles of CenterPlace Health was one of the recipients of the inaugural award this past February. “The Emerging Leader program was a great experience, particularly the opportunities we had to network and hear from leaders across Sarasota County,” said Settles. “I learned that regardless of whether you’ve been in your role for one year or 30 years there is something that we can all take away to improve our leadership abilities.” The Emerging Leader Program is accepting applications through November 30, 2023. More information about eligibility, nominations, and applications can be found at www.GS-HumanServices.org/Emerging-Leader. 

Children First, the exclusive provider for Head Start and Early Head Start services in Sarasota County, is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of our annual holiday program to ensure that, in addition to every child, the entire family will experience the joy and magic of the holiday season. Ranked in the top one percent of over 1,800 Head Start programs nationwide, Children First offers high-quality, comprehensive services to hundreds of at-risk children and their families each year at multiple locations across North Port, Sarasota, and Venice. Adoption Options: We're thrilled to offer three adoption options for this year's annual holiday program: Small Family of Two: Adopt a small family, bringing warmth and cheer to a child and parent! Medium Family of Three or Four: Spread joy to families with three or four members, ensuring that everyone feels the holiday spirit! Large Family of Five or More: Embrace the opportunity to make a significant impact by adopting a family with five or more members, creating lasting holiday memories for all! All gifts must be received by Children First by December 8th, 2023, to ensure we have ample time to distribute them to the deserving families. Get Involved: We invite our community members to be part of this wonderful initiative by adopting a child or family for the holiday season! To participate, please reach out to Karen Pharo at kpharo@childrenfirst.net. Karen will provide all the necessary information and guidelines to make your contribution a memorable and heartwarming experience! 

Sarasota Orchestra has been awarded a ­­­­­$75,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to bolster the programming of the 2023-2024 season. This generous grant from Barancik Foundation provides essential support for Sarasota Orchestra’s artistic season, which began in October 2023 and runs through May 2024. Barancik Foundation’s grant funding will also support the Orchestra’s annual Brunch event for education and Celebrate 75, the Special Concert & Gala event featuring acclaimed conductor Peter Oundjian and world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson. Celebrating their 75th anniversary this season, Sarasota Orchestra’s mission is to engage, educate and enrich the community through high-quality, live musical experiences. The Orchestra’s 2023-2024 programming includes performances in a variety of venues and formats and is comprised of concerts in five different series: Masterworks, Discoveries, Chamber Soirées, Pops and Great Escapes. The season also features the ever-popular Outdoor Pops concerts at Ed Smith Stadium.In addition to the Orchestra’s concert season, grant funding from Barancik Foundation will support Sarasota Orchestra’s Brunch, which will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 10:30am at Michael’s On East. This annual event helps subsidize the costs associated with Sarasota Orchestra's extensive education programs, which include the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, Summer Music Camp, and Young Artists Competition. The Brunch is also an opportunity to hear from beneficiaries of the programs and experience performances featuring student ensembles at various skill levels. Furthermore, this grant from Barancik Foundation will enable the Orchestra to sponsor and host the All-County Orchestra and Band for Sarasota and Manatee Counties for the 2023-2024 season. These competitive programs present an opportunity for outstanding instrumental music students to perform in an advanced large ensemble, work under the baton of an outstanding musician and conductor, and meet members of other school organizations. To learn more about Sarasota Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season and programs, visit www.SarasotaOrchestra.org.  

Twenty-four community leaders from across the region graduated October 27 from the 2023 Fall Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI). The group made up the 17th class to participate in Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s (Gulf Coast) long-running board development initiative. The initiative is part of Gulf Coast’s Invest In Incredible program which provides a variety of important services to regional nonprofits. The following individuals who completed the 2023 Fall Gulf Coast Board Institute, and their board affiliations, are: Mary Lou Belisle, Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County, START of Sarasota County, Sarah Clough, Manatee Habitat for Humanity, Thomas Doherty, Venice Area Historical Society, DeeAnna Dowdle, Manatee County Audubon Society, City of Sarasota Parks & Sustainability Advisory Board, Denise Dull, Florida International Airshow, Integrity Charitable Foundation, Len Frischer, The Haven, Victor Gartner, North Port Art Center, Kristofer Geddie, Venice Theatre, Friends of the Venice Public Library, Deborah Hamm, MD, Sarasota Orchestra, Bianca Harris, Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Wendy Ingram, Dragonfly Mental Health, Michael Ippolito, Selah Freedom, Peter Kretzmer, Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Wayne Luoma, The Haven, Lise Mills, START of SC, South County Food Pantry, Christina Ottman, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Lisa Pervin, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, Sasha Pyatte, Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Advisor, Sasha Rosin, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Paige Soper, Streets of Paradise, Dalton Tininenko, Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens, Clolita Vitale, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, Gale West, North Port Art Center, Linda Zeck, Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center. “This institute and its participants have a significant impact on our community effecting arts and culture and all aspects of health and human services. We are so fortunate to have dedicated volunteers serving in a board capacity throughout our region. It is an honor to help these volunteers become better board members,” said Invest In Incredible Director Betsy Steiner. The institute is offered each year at Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s two office locations: the Venice Headquarters and downtown Sarasota Philanthropy Center. The institute provides high-level board governance training to new and veteran voluntary, nonprofit board members. Applications for the complimentary February session open on Monday, November 13.  

Pictured: GCBI Fall 2023 Graduating Class.

To apply click here

MarineMax Venice is proud to announce its 3rd Annual Boston Whaler Owner's Fishing Charity Tournament, set to take place on December 2, 2023. This year's charity fishing tournament promises an exciting day of angling and community spirit, with all proceeds going directly to The Humane Society of Sarasota County. MarineMax Venice invites individuals and local businesses to join in this noble cause by becoming event sponsors. Tyler Choyke, General Manager, comments, “This year’s tournament is going to be our best one yet! We are proud to bring all Boston Whaler owners together for a day of friendly competition all in support of an amazing organization like The Humane Society. We’re eagerly anticipating the incredible catches this years event will reel in.” The event is expected to draw a large crowd, with more than a few dozen boats participating in the fishing competition. Attendees will also have the opportunity to witness the impact of their contributions during the awards ceremony and the lively Docktails party following the weigh-in. The day will be filled with fun activities, delicious food, refreshing beverages, raffles, and fantastic prizes. To provide an opportunity for local businesses to show their support for the Humane Society of Sarasota County, there are multiple sponsorship categories. Sponsors will receive prominent recognition, ensuring their brand is showcased to a diverse and engaged audience. Additionally, there will be a captain's meeting on the evening before the tournament on December 1, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, where company details can be observed.  For more information and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Tournament Director Jeremy Bradshaw at MarineMax Venice, email Jeremy.Bradshaw@marinemax.com or call 941-376-3345.  

TURNING GRIEF INTO PURPOSE | With Blaze of Hope, Lisa Moore is spreading hope like fire, November 2023. 

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