“Calm Down Kits” to help elementary school students deal with stress and other difficult emotions in more positive ways. Civility training so workers at a local animal hospital can better assist grieving or financially distressed pet owners. “Friend benches” on a school playground where youngsters can go for emotional support from classmates or staff when they can’t effectively communicate their needs. Those are just three of the creative ideas to receive funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation in its first round of Civility Squad Grants. The $500 mini grants, awarded through the foundation’s Because It Matters civility initiative, are designed to help organizations implement projects or activities that foster civility in their schools, clubs, workplaces, or neighborhoods. The initiative centers on 10 Keys to Civility, such as “Respect Others,” “Make a Difference,” and “Speak Kindly,” which serve as guiding principles for civil behavior. In all, Gulf Coast has approved nine Civility Squad grants totaling $4,500 so far. The foundation has earmarked a total of $25,000 for civility grants through February 2018. The following organizations received Civility Squad grants in November:Alta Vista Elementary School, Bay Road Animal Hospital, Englewood Elementary School, Laurel Nokomis School, Sarasota YMCA/Safe Children Coalition and St. Mary Academy. Applications may be submitted online anytime at the website below. 

Civility Squad Grants