Legal Aid of Manasota has raised an additional $29,000 in donations, moving closer to bridging the significant budget gap caused by recent public funding cuts. This influx of support follows attorney and developer Hugh Culverhouse Jr.’s $100,000 donation, made in response to the Sarasota County Commissioner’s decision to deny $172,000 in funding from the organization.  The $29,000 raised came from private donors to meet the critical need for pro bono legal services in the region, especially since the denial of public funding came days after Tropical Storm Debby and the ongoing local housing crisis. Legal Aid of Manasota provides essential legal assistance to over 5,000 vulnerable individuals each year, including disabled veterans, domestic violence survivors, and families facing eviction. Legal Aid of Manasota has faced consecutive years of funding cuts from Sarasota County, making private donations even more essential to its operations. Despite these challenges, the organization remains committed to raising the remaining $43,000 in funding to fulfill its mission of providing legal representation to vulnerable populations within the community. To learn more about Legal Aid of Manasota or to make a donation, visit legalaidofmanasota.org.