The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has awarded four specialty grants totaling more than $84,000 to local nonprofit organizations leading programs that support vision impairment, women, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and southern Sarasota County.

Through the James W. Wherritt Charitable Fund, $37,300 will be given to various nonprofit organizations in southern Sarasota County, including: Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter; Easter Seals of Southwest Florida; Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County; Loveland Center; Southeastern Guide Dogs; Suncoast Humane Society; and Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting (WEDU).

Gifts from the Margaret L. Bates Fund will provide more than $20,000 to strengthen efforts to advance the status of women and provide for disadvantaged women in Sarasota County through organizations like Children First; Harvest House; Pregnancy Solutions; and Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County.

With the gifts from the Harold E. and Ruth M. Niles Fund and the Elizabeth C. Muth Fund, $18,900 was awarded to four organizations to improve the quality of life for those with vision impairment: Sarasota County School District Adult and Community Enrichment at Suncoast Technical College; ITN SunCoast; Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center; and Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Alzheimer’s and dementia programs in the area have also been granted $7,000 in gifts in part from the Verna L. Grauel Fund, and the Martin & Rhoda Safer Memorial Fund III.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County