Community Care

Community Knowledge

Data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicates that Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties all have very low community resilience scores, a measurement of a community’s ability to withstand and recover from natural hazards. These are concerning findings in light of FEMA’s designation of the Suncoast as a high-risk region for natural hazards that may be more vulnerable to annual losses from weather events than most counties in the nation.

Recovering from disasters is even more difficult for individuals and families living on the economic brink. More than 45 percent of Florida households live at or below the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) threshold meaning that while they are employed they struggle to afford necessities like housing, utilities, childcare, auto expenses, and technology. These community members work hard to make ends meet, and they are particularly at risk if an unexpected crisis occurs.

Family financial instability affects school-aged children, half of whom in Sarasota County Schools qualify for free- and reduced-priced lunch. In surrounding counties, these numbers are higher—Charlotte County’s rate is 86 percent, DeSoto County’s is 98 percent, and Manatee County’s is 62 percent. The Student Emergency Fund provides essential support for these students and helps ensure financial difficulties do not hinder their educational progress and overall well-being.

Community Impact

In September 2022, in the days before Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a dangerous Category 4 storm, the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund was activated for the four-county area of Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Two years later, the fund was once again activated to help families recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and to strenghten the region's ability to withstand future disasters.

The Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund has become a vital ongoing resource for nonprofits and the people they serve. Overall, more than $10.7 million has been donated to the fund, which supports long-term recovery needs that often emerge well after immediate disaster relief efforts have concluded. Those needs include home repairs and rebuilding, mental and behavioral health support, legal case management, youth and children’s services, environmental resilience, and more.

Community Knowledge

Stable, safe housing is critical to individuals and families, but renting or owning a home in our area is a challenge for many as home values and rents continue to increase while wages do not keep pace.

Households are considered to be "cost-burdened" if they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. According to a report authored by the Florida Housing Coalition and partially commissioned by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, more than 47,000 households in Sarasota County meet the defition of being cost-burdened, and nearly 25,500 are "severely cost-burdened," meaning they spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. When such a high percentage of a household's income is spent on a mortgage or rent, it makes it difficult for families to save or to cover other basic expenses like food, healthcare, and education. The lack of affordable housing also leads to homelessness. In 2024, there were an estimated 1,604 homeless people living in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

The consequences for families can be catastrophic. Frequent moves, job losses, overcrowding, parental stress, and homelessness have been linked to lower educational attainment and poor health outcomes for children. At the same time, local employers struggle to find qualified workers, handicapping their ability to grow.

Community Impact

Since its creation in 2000, Season of Sharing, a trusted, time-tested community safety net has helped more than 57,000 households rebound from emergency setbacks by providing financial assistance for essential living expenses. By making payments directly to utilities, landlords and mortgage holders, childcare providers, and auto repair shops, Season of Sharing encourages neighbors to help neighbors in need, providing a critical lifeline for households at the economic edge in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

An effort that has been strengthened by our community’s generosity, more than 60,000 gifts have been made, and more than $54 million has been distributed over time, enabling our neighbors to remain in their homes and restore their lives with dignity.

Community Knowledge

Access to quality healthcare is key to the well-being of a community. Health insurance coverage supports access to care, leading to a variety of positive health outcomes, including longer life expectancy and reduced financial strain on individuals and families. U.S. Census data indicates that more than 12 percent, or more than 2.5 million, Floridians are uninsured. When community members have access to affordable healthcare, they’re protected from the devastating financial impact of medical emergencies, which improves both physical and financial health.

In the past few decades there has been an increase of public awareness and education surrounding mental health. Poor mental health can result in struggles with daily activities that affect the individual, their loved ones, and the larger community. Additionally, poor mental health creates adverse economic effects in part due to healthcare costs and reduced productivity. There is a clear need for targeted mental health interventions and expanded access to services in counties with high rates of poor mental health. The region's mental health outcomes vary, with an average of more than 15 percent of adults reporting poor mental health across the four counties.

Along with adequate healthcare, nutrition is key to overall well-being. However, continuous access to nutritious food is a barrier for many in our community. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households. In Florida, more than 1 million households receive assistance as a part of SNAP, with 34,000 households in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties receiving SNAP benefits.

Community Impact

Schoolchildren who rely on free and reduced-price lunches while attending school can be left without access to healthy meals when school is out for weekends, holidays, and seasonal breaks. We are proud to support All Faiths Food Bank’s BackPack Program, which provides pre-packed food for weekly distribution to schoolchildren from 76 schools and youth-serving organizations. Providing students with kid-friendly and healthy foods enables them to learn and thrive, which can have positive long-term effects on their current health and future prospects.

When we address both the physical and mental health needs of children, students have the support and resources they need to face challenges with confidence. We work with multiple nonprofit organizations to reduce barriers many families face in accessing mental health treatment for their children.

The Community Foundation also supports the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program, which provides food to those in need year-round, with special attention given to the holiday season.

Community Knowledge

Of all the nonprofit organizations in Charlotte, Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties, 7.21 percent report that animals are their primary focus. These organizations play a vital role in promoting animal welfare and protecting local wildlife. They focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption, as well as educating the public about responsible pet ownership and conservation efforts. From animal shelters to wildlife sanctuaries, these groups work tirelessly to care for stray and abandoned pets, protect endangered species, and support local communities. Their efforts not only enhance animal wellbeing, but also foster a sense of compassion and environmental stewardship across the region.

Community Impact

We strengthen organizations that serve domestic and rescue animals by supporting emergency medical needs and veterinary treatment, foster programs, and acquiring large and specialized equipment through an annual grant cycle. Since 2020, we have granted more than $721,000 to nonprofit organizations working towards the enhanced welfare of animals.

Community Knowledge

Access to parks and natural areas plays a vital role in promoting physical activity, enhancing quality of life, and providing opportunities for recreation that support overall health and well-being. Neighborhood parks foster a sense of community, preserve open spaces, and contribute to the natural beauty of our surroundings. In our four-county region, residents and visitors alike benefit from more than 100 square miles of public parks, offering countless opportunities to connect with nature and each other.

As our region continues to welcome new residents, we are supporting many approaches to conserving our environment.

Community Impact

With consideration for the transformative benefits that parks and natural spaces bring to our community, we are committed to supporting nonprofits that protect and enhance these vital resources. We are proud to support the Resilience Incubator, a unique collaboration of 11 nonprofits dedicated to environmental advocacy in a shared office space. This space is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise among its members, empowering organizations to work together, amplifying individual impact through the collective. Additionally, the Resilience Incubator will provide valuable training opportunities for participating nonprofits—many of which are small and volunteer-driven—helping them strengthen essential areas such as fundraising, event planning, and strategic development. This initiative is a powerful example of how collaboration can empower organizations to achieve more together.

We are proud to support programs that expand access to and engagement with nature. Our funding enables children from Sarasota County Schools to visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and enjoy the vibrant flora found within. Additionally, we provide support for programs that provide students with hands-on experiences in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Community Knowledge

Median home value and median home rent metrics provide valuable insight into property value and rental market trends across our community. In 2024, average median home value for Charlotte, Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties was $317,252, while average median home rent was $1,268. On average, nearly 30 percent of households in the four-county region are considered housing cost-burdened, dedicating a significant portion of their income to housing expenses. When housing costs take up such a large share of household budgets, it leaves less income available for other essential needs like food, transportation, and healthcare.

Beyond difficulty affording essentials, housing insecurity can be an outcome of being housing cost-burdened. In the four-county region, 11 percent of adults report being housing insecure, which has effects on overall health, safety, and well-being Addressing housing insecurity is essential to ensuring a better quality of life for all residents.

Community Impact

Addressing homelessness requires a thorough understanding of its root causes and a commitment to implementing comprehensive solutions that promote housing stability. To break the cycle of poverty and empower families to envision a brighter future, we proudly support the Pathways Home transitional housing program run by Family Promise of South Sarasota County. This program provides residents with personalized guidance and vital support in areas such as life skills development, financial literacy, and income generation, creating a strong foundation for sustainable financial independence.

Another supported project of note is the foster care transitional housing program with CASL for young adults.