As a new school year approaches, Beachside Hospitality Group is proud to continue its commitment to supporting local educators for the sixth year in a row. On July 17, the company launched its annual Amazon Wish List Give Back initiative, aimed at helping teachers stock their classrooms with essential supplies. This year, Beachside Hospitality will donate a total of $12,000, with 48 winners to be announced on August 2.

Teachers are encouraged to share their Amazon wish lists by commenting on a designated post on the Facebook page of the restaurant location within the respective county they teach in. The deadline to submit is July 31.

"The feedback we get from teachers each year is incredibly humbling. Many tell us this support helps them create a more engaging and positive classroom experience, which is why we’ve continued this initiative year after year," says Greg Powers, CEO of Beachside Hospitality Group. "It’s a powerful reminder of the great responsibility educators carry, often with limited resources. It’s rewarding to be able to help ease that burden, even just a little.”

Participating locations per county are as follows:

• Manatee County: Sandbar Seafood & Spirits, Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, or Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub
• Pinellas County: Crabby's Bar & Grill Clearwater Beach, Crabby's Dockside Clearwater Beach, Salty's Island Bar & Grille or The Salty Crab North Beach
• St. Johns County: Crabby’s Beachside
• Volusia County: Crabby’s Oceanside or Crabby’s Bar & Grill NSB
• St. Lucie County: Crabby’s Dockside Ft. Pierce
• Osceola County: Crabby's on the Lakefront

Each teacher only needs to submit one entry, but they're encouraged to tag fellow educators and help spread the word. Since its launch, the initiative has awarded more than $45,000 in Amazon gift cards to teachers throughout the state. So far, over 175 educators—many of whom regularly use their own money to buy essential classroom supplies—have benefited from this support.

For more information on Beachside Hospitality Group, visit www.bshgrp.com. 

All Star Children’s Foundation (ASCF) is proud to announce a $180,000 grant from United Way Suncoast, part of their $14.13 million Community Impact Investments to 67 nonprofit partners across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. Awarded over three years, this funding will empower ASCF to provide vital trauma-informed services for children in foster care in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties). 

CreArte Latino Cultural Center invites the entire community to celebrate its eighth birthday on Saturday, August 9, from 3 to 6 p.m., at 1913 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota. This fundraising event will include music with a DJ, games, activities for all ages, bilingual conversations and, of course, birthday cake! Admission is free and open to all. RSVPs are requested by emailing cpena@creartelatino.org 

As communities across the country navigate food insecurity, climate shifts, and a growing need for sustainable local solutions, Community Harvest SRQ is commemorating 15 years of grassroots leadership with a Summer Garden Party Dinner and Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota. The event invites the public to celebrate our shared journey of building a more sustainable, just, and thriving local food system. Guests will enjoy a seasonal, locally sourced menu featuring pumpkin, sweet potatoes, pastured poultry, and fresh seafood from Sarasota Bay. 

To learn more click here

With a devastating hurricane season last year and another busy season forecast this year, food bank / hunger relief organization All Faiths Food Bank is ready to respond to community needs. The organization plans year-round for disasters, maintaining a ready supply of shelf-stable meals, bottled water, hygiene items and other emergency supplies. Its extensive warehouse capacity ensures it can stockpile and deploy critical resources quickly when a crisis hits. All Faiths Food Bank communicates extensively through its website, social media channels, and the media to alert the community to its regular and pop-up distributions as a storm approaches as well as once it has passed. 

Caring Collective (formerly The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center) announces the 2 nd Annual Chief Executive Peer Circles (CEPC) program. CEO/Executive Director-level non-profit professionals can apply now through August 11, 2025.  To review the program Announcement, FAQ document, and apply, go to www.caring-collective.org. For more information about the program, contact Charlene Altenhain at (941) 867-4387 or caltenhain@caring-collective.org. 

Children First proudly announces that Arianne Roberts, LMHC-QS, IMH-E®, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, has been selected for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 2026 Adult Leadership Class. Children First is a nationally recognized Program of Excellence. Through her participation in the Leadership Class, Arianne underscores her dedication to community advancement, innovative solutions, and outstanding leadership. Members of this prestigious class are selected for their notable accomplishments and their capacity to help shape Sarasota’s continued growth and success. 

A 25-year employee of Goodwill Manasota, Susan Lowy, spent her tenure with the nonprofit helping scores of her co-workers to receive upskilling training and educational opportunities and better their lives. Last year, upon her retirement, she signed an agreement with Goodwill to establish the Susan H. Lowy HandUp Educational Fund, designed to support the training and educational endeavors of team members who wish to pursue a post-secondary degree or industry-recognized credential. Sadly, Susan died last month but her legacy will continue on as the fund will help to cover the costs of job skills training and educational advancement for a handful of employees each year. 

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is honored to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support the organization’s impactful Pathways to Success program. This funding helps WRC continue its mission to empower women and families in our region by promoting financial independence through education and support services. 

With 50% of all mental illness beginning by age 14, Forty Carrots Family Center’s Mental Health Program provides critical therapy services and support to youth experiencing mental health challenges. Bishop-Parker Foundation recently awarded Forty Carrots a $75,000 grant to address the rising mental health needs of children and families in Manatee County. 

Beginning July 1, we are excited to announce our new board of directors, under the leadership of new Board Chair, Kara Saunders. Kara is a deeply embedded community leader who has served on our board since 2019, and has brought immeasurable value to the Education Foundation as a proven champion for students and teachers. 

To learn more click here

Art Center Sarasota’s exhibition season concludes with four new exhibits, August 21-September 27. In “Vol. 3: me, myself, and I,” contemporary bookbinder Jacob Z. Wan explores identity, gender, and personal narrative through self-portraits, books, and sculptural works. “INK: Quilt of Identity” features expressive works by teens in ALSO Youth’s 2025 summer program in collaboration with Art Center Sarasota’s instructors. “Praxis,” by Dorothea (D’) Calvert, charts the journey from concept to creation through layered works that engage themes of displacement and the power of play. “Self Portrait” is a juried show exploring self-representation. Juror Odeta Xheka, a visual artist and founder of OXH Gallery, brings a cross-generational, multimedia perspective to the exhibition. For information, visit ArtSarasota.org or call 941-365-2032. 

The School District of Manatee County’s Food and Nutrition Services department is excited to announce the Kids Wellness and Resource Fair, taking place on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Lincoln Park, located at 501 17th Street East in Palmetto. So far this year, we have served 175,000 meals compared to 155,000 last year, demonstrating our commitment to meeting the nutritional needs of our students. This FREE event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and all children and their families are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Food and Nutrition Services at 941-708-8800. 

Get ready to be inspired at the Annual Giving Coast Luncheon: Philanthropic Agenda & Good Hero Awards, recognizing local changemakers. Join us in bringing the philanthropic community together on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Michael's On East and help celebrate the nonprofit spirit of our area. Featuring a panel of distinguished philanthropic leaders discussing giving trends, the honorable Good Hero Awards, and the interactive Giving Tree Program, this event will be nothing short of spectacular. Also highlighting the acclaimed SRQ Lifetime Good Hero Achievement Award, the program will uplift attendees and spark meaningful change. 

Join us for the inspiring 10th Annual SRQ Women Who Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon, celebrating local women leaders who significantly impact our community. Enjoy a dynamic program featuring the introduction of the esteemed 2025 Leadership Circle inductees, engaging PopUp Boutiques, and opportunities to network during our post-event reception.