New Community Foundation of Sarasota County Grants Will Improve Nonprofits' Operations and Boost Self-Sufficiency

Recent Capacity Building grants are intended to help nonprofits set themselves up for long-term success.

Sarasota, Florida — The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded a total of $163,300 in Capacity Building grants to 21 nonprofits. The aim of this round of funding is to help organizations improve fundraising strategies, streamline operations, manage data effectively, and invest in technological infrastructure. The Community Foundation’s long-term goal is to support nonprofits as they build greater self-sufficiency so that they can continue to serve their clients, and the community, year after year. The organizations supported work in a wide variety of fields, from providing day shelter services for the homeless to environmental conservation and restoration.

“Capacity Building grants strengthen nonprofits’ long-term viability by helping them invest in the infrastructure that drives sustained success—from advanced fundraising tools and expert strategic planning support to modernized data management systems and beyond,” says Kirsten Russell, the Community Foundation’s vice president of community impact. “While the results may not be immediately visible, these targeted investments create lasting capacity, positioning organizations to operate more effectively and amplify their impact for years to come.”

One component of the recent grants is to help nonprofits maximize their participation in this year’s Giving Challenge, which takes place from noon to noon, April 15-16. The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour online giving event for nonprofits that are located in or work in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. One of the key goals of the challenge is to connect nonprofits with new donors and encourage them to develop their own effective marketing and fundraising strategies. Nearly 750 nonprofits, a record number, are registered to participate in this year’s challenge.

Nonprofits that received grants to help them purchase systems and software that are designed to improve their fundraising and operations include:

• Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which studies, preserves, and displays materials related to the history of Anna Maria Island
• Bradenton Gladiators, which improves the lives of at-risk youth through sports programs and leadership development
• Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, which performs music ranging from baroque to contemporary in intimate venues for diverse audiences
• Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, which provides non-medical financial assistance to adult cancer patients
• Peace River Wildlife Center, which houses and rehabilitates injured and orphaned native Florida wildlife
• Selah Freedom, which helps survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation through housing, therapy, and more
• Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, which helps at-risk youth break cycles of poverty through post-secondary education
• The WareHouse of Venice, which helps middle and high school students become civic change makers and grow as volunteers and leaders

Organizations that received grants to help them engage professionals to improve their operations include:

• Academy at Glengary, which provides pathways to success, friendship, and careers to adults with serious mental illnesses
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, which helps children achieve academic success, live healthy lifestyles, and develop character
• Crossroads Hope Academy, which provides a safe, stable home for boys ages 12-17 who have had multiple failed foster care placements
• Fabulous Arts Foundation, which amplifies LGBTQ+ voices through music, visual art, performance, and other programming
• J5 Experience, which advocates for and educates mothers and daughters as they pursue their dreams together
• Lifeline Productions, which tells personal stories of mental illness through theater, film, and live workshops
• Mothers Helping Mothers, which provides basic necessities like clothing and baby items for families in need
• Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, which educates visitors on local flora, preserves natural land for wildlife, and displays sculptures and other fine art
• Resurrection House, which provides services to people experiencing homelessness as they work to rebuild their lives
• Roskamp Institute, which works to discover safe and effective drug therapies to treat diseases of the mind and promote healthy aging
• Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, which uses policy advocacy, technical expertise, and public engagement to protect historic buildings and neighborhoods
• Sarasota Music Conservatory, which engages music students through educational, artistic, and cultural programs
• Science and Environment Council, which brings together leading environmental nonprofits and government organizations to protect and restore the natural environment

The Community Foundation holds several grant application cycles for nonprofits throughout the year. A new Capacity Building grant cycle begins Monday, Feb. 16. Click here to learn more.

Photo at top: Salina Piontek and family, who have been supported by the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, recipients of a recent grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County