Bank of America Charitable Foundation Supports Community Foundation of Sarasota County's “Season of Sharing” in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Categories: COMMUNITY CARE: Emergency Needs & Disaster Relief, Grants, Season of Sharing, The Patterson Foundation,

SARASOTA, FL – In response to heightened need during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has partnered with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County in support of Season of Sharing, a community-wide initiative that helps our community’s most vulnerable with immediate basic needs, such as payments for rent, utilities, and childcare.

“The coronavirus continues to have a disproportionate effect on our most susceptible populations,” said Mike McCoy, Sarasota-Manatee market president for Bank of America. “Our partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will provide financial stability to the Sarasota-Manatee families that are struggling to make ends meet.”

With a focus on improving lives and strengthening communities, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is partnering with nonprofit organizations nationwide to positively impact people in need during the coronavirus. The bank’s commitment to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will advance the Season of Sharing’s efforts to restore stability and hope for families and individuals in need throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

“As I always say, ‘All of us are smarter than one of us,’ and no truer is this sentiment felt than during this unprecedented crisis,” says Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Even in ordinary times, collaboration is essential to building the community we all want to live in. By focusing on what is possible and achievable together, we all have an opportunity to consider how we can offer solutions and be the one to make a lasting difference in another’s life. We are grateful to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation for their caring and quick response to support our community.”

Since its reactivation in late March as an initial response to COVID-19, Season of Sharing has raised $1.12 million and counting in only two weeks. This total is thanks in part to longtime partner and supporter, The Patterson Foundation, who has committed up to $1 million to strengthen this important safety net. The commitment includes an immediate $500,000 contribution, along with an additional dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000 that, once fulfilled by the community, will amount to $1.5 million more in additional funds for distribution.

“We are so fortunate to partner with so many people and organizations willing to collaborate across sectors and extend a critical lifeline to those most in need,” says Jerde. “Thanks to the strengthening efforts of The Patterson Foundation, we are excited to see this support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation apply towards the $500,000 matching opportunity. Every gift of every size that can be made at this time to help our friends and neighbors is deeply appreciated and greatly needed.”

Donations to the Season of Sharing fund may be made online at www.cfsarasota.org/season-of-sharing or by sending a check (payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn: Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. There are no administrative fees and 100 percent of your gift goes to helping the people and families who are working to stabilize their lives. All donations are tax-deductible.

To read stories from families and individuals who have been helped by Season of Sharing, visit www.heraldtribune.com/seasonofsharing.

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About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County 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. With assets of $418 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $21.5 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $274 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.

About The Patterson Foundation: The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations and communities. The Foundation focuses on issues that address common aspirations and foster wide participation, along with ways organizations learn and share as they evolve. For more information, please visit www.thepattersonfoundation.org and connect with @ThePattersonFdn on Twitter.