Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded a $10,000 Capacity Building Grant to Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast to upgrade their customer relationship management (CRM) platform. In 2020, Conservation Foundation saved over 6,200 acres across five properties and grew their donor base by seventy percent. The $10,000 grant is provided by the Community Foundation’s Edward K. Roberts Emerging Needs Fund. It will assist Conservation Foundation in maximizing donor retention and bringing new supporters to the organization, helping to provide continued success in securing the funds and resources required to protect the Gulf Coast’s precious land and water. The tool's upgraded features allow for more robust outreach and communication, better enabling Conservation Foundation to keep up with projected growth in land protection, stewardship, education, and outreach programs.

“We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for investing in our mission,” says Christine P. Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. “With this system upgrade, we will be able to bring in more resources, allowing us to save more land and water, protect and create more habitat for wildlife, and get more kids outside and excited about nature.”