Humble beginnings of this foundation created by The Herald-Tribune and The Community Foundation in 2000 has since expanded notably. Now operating in four counties including Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto, growing well beyond what any community of our size has supported in the past.

Season of Sharing began as an annual fundraising campaign with a simple notion to help the less fortunate in our community. Gaining impressive strength over the past 18 years with the collaboration of multiple media partners and participation of generous donors, has proven it’s become a force to reckon with, breaking down unforgiving barriers to reestablish the premise of the American Dream. Thousands of families meant to thrive through hard work, resilience, and resolve are instead hindered by unexpected life happenings and the economy. As bills pile up, many find themselves living under the threat of homelessness struggling to get by. A recent study shed light on Americans all over the U.S. of which half of are only $1,000 away from becoming homeless, affecting everyone from foster kids, to college students, to veterans and retired seniors. Dialing in to this region, the threat of homelessness is mind-boggling high due to weakened recovery from factors such as the Great Recession and natural disasters. But despite the statistics, Season of Sharing proves one overriding fact- this community genuinely cares about its neighbors.

“It’s evolved to become a community safety net protecting families and individuals ever having to lose the place they call home,” says Murray Devine, Community Foundation Communications and Marketing Manager

The Community Foundation provides grants directly to nonprofit agencies, where local services make sure they’re getting into the right hands and getting distributed to those in desperate need of financial assistance for rebuilding their lives. These funds may be used rent/mortgage, utility bills, child care, transportation, medicine, groceries, and any other crucial expenses prohibiting someone from getting back on their feet. The forefront concept perpetuating Season of Sharing’s success is its focus on being preventative as opposed to actionary. Research shows that it’s eight times more expensive and difficult to get someone homed after being homeless vs. preventing it from ever happening in the first place. In other words, spending $1 to prevent a family from losing their place to live is a much better return than spending $8 to get a homeless family off the streets and back into housing.

Season of Sharing with its sheer locality bandwidth has managed to raise over $2 million with 3,000 gifts received, supporting more than 2,800 people’s quality of life in just last year’s run. And according to Murray, 85% of recipients never have to return again for help.

Still, the urgency of their goals have only intensified, demonstrating that every citizen and organization must be part of solution to effectively make use of our community resources. The campaign will continue to address the needs of those most vulnerable and endure the human capacity to give year-round.

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