The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded 15 local nonprofit organizations through grant opportunities aimed at strengthening organizations’ capacity to fulfill their missions. These awards will help local charitable organizations by supporting operational goals like cultivating strong fundraising plans, developing leadership and staff skills, strengthening communications plans, measuring impact, and more. Many recipient organizations in this cycle provide support to people in the community who may be living with disabilities, chaotic homelife issues, homelessness, or other challenging experiences. “In many cases, organizations awarded through this cycle are the primary support system for vulnerable people and families, or else working to dismantle stigma that further limits individual potential,” said Kirsten Russell, Vice President of Impact at the Community Foundation. “The work they do is critical, and they do it on very tight budgets. Helping them build their capacity increases their ability to create impact, and in the case of these organizations, helps sustain many of our most susceptible neighbors.” As a partner to more than 700 nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, a primary function of the Community Foundation is to enhance the organizations’ autonomy and self-sustenance. Grants like this one provide practical help to support that goal. The Community Foundation also hosts Giving Challenges, 24-hour giving events that draw visibility and tremendous community support to the nonprofit community. The next Giving Challenge will be noon to noon April 9-10, 2024. The last Giving Challenge, in 2022, raised $16.2 million in unrestricted funds for nearly 700 participating nonprofits. Along with bolstering financial resources in the nonprofit sector, the Community Foundation hosts trainings and workshops designed to empower charitable organizations. Capacity Building grants are available to nonprofits throughout the year, with deadlines on September 1, December 1, and March 1. The next deadline for Capacity Building grants is March 1, 2024. For nearly 45 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been key to unlocking possibilities for everyone who calls our area home. With the trust of the community, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $438.5 million in grants to support causes addressing education, health and human services, the arts, and the environment, animal welfare, and other needs that enhance quality of life. To learn more about available grant opportunities, visit www.cfsarasota.org/nonprofits/grants.

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