Rise Above Performing Arts (Rise Above), a local nonprofit that provides performing arts access to all children—often at no cost to the families—is hosting a major fundraiser to support both its programs and an upcoming relocation.

Rise Above is currently situated at 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, in the same plaza as Cinebistro. This summer, the organization will move to a new, 7,000-square-foot space on the opposite end of the plaza, next to Connors Steak & Seafood, with renovations slated to begin in June.

The fundraising efforts kicked off with The 2026 Giving Challenge, where The Patterson Foundation provided a dollar-for-dollar match for every unique donation between $25 and $100, with no limit on the number of matched gifts.

To keep the momentum going following the Challenge, Rise Above is hosting “Celebration,” an exciting evening of music on May 2. Guests will enjoy three hours of live entertainment and dancing with LITT, a high-energy local band. LITT has a special connection to the organization, as one of the lead singers, Michael, is the husband of Rise Above’s choreographer, Toni Dentico.

“Rise Above has always been about bringing people together through the power of live performance,” says Toni Dentico. “As we prepare to move into our new location, this fundraiser helps ensure that the music, stories and creativity continue for years to come. We’re excited to celebrate with our community while building the next chapter of our theater’s future.”

Admission to the event is $25, with 100% of the proceeds directly benefiting Rise Above. Attendees can also purchase beverages (including beer, wine, soda and water) and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win one of three cash prizes totaling $1,750. Get your tickets at tix.com/ticket-sales/riseabove/5290/event/1464608.

Join the celebration for a fun night out and help make a lasting impact in the community.  

Pictured: Rise Above Choreographer, Toni Dentico says the May 2 fundraser is a celebration with a purpose. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

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Jessica Kieras, an experienced ultraswimmer from Oregon, will begin an attempt to swim over twenty-four hours along the Gulf Coast of Florida on the morning of April 24. The swim will begin from Pass-a-Grille Beach and head north toward Honeymoon Island State Park, although the finish location will depend on the distance covered over at least 24 hours. The swim is a fundraiser for Save the Manatee Club. The swim will follow Marathon Swimmers Federation rules, which include not resting on the boat or any flotation device and using only a swimsuit, cap, goggles, earplugs and nose clip for equipment. Kieras will be accompanied by Grace, a 2001 Dufour 30 Classic Sailboat and six crew members.  If successful, it would be the first swim over twenty-four hours officially completed along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Official records of solo ultraswims are maintained in the Marathon Swimmers Federation's Long Swims Database. 

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Forty Carrots Family Center (FCFC) announces a charitable gift of $5,000 from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.  The funds support early learning and parenting education groups to children and families through FCFC’s Partners In Play® (PIP) program at South Sarasota County libraries this year. PIP strengthens early learning and family resilience while fostering connection and community among caregivers. Through guided play and shared experiences, caregivers gain knowledge, confidence, and tools to become their child’s first and most important teacher- laying a strong foundation for their child’s lifelong love of learning and school readiness. Visit https://fortycarrots.org/ for more information.  

Since 2002, The Argus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Awards has been an annual highlight for the organization, honoring exemplary leaders of Sarasota who have made valuable contributions to the community throughout their business and personal lives.  This year’s honorees are two local leaders who started businesses from scratch, created thousands of job opportunities and contributed to our community through service, leadership, camaraderie and commitment. Mike Quillen founded his first hospitality company, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, in 1992. The Lifetime Achievement Awards program will also recognize the life and legacy of Roland George Caldwell, founder of Caldwell Trust Company and a longtime leader in the region’s financial community. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 89. 

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On April 2nd, Navigators from Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties gathered at Resilient Retreat for a day of renewal, connection, and support. Navigator roles such as community health workers, nurses, social workers, case managers, and peer support specialists, work tirelessly to connect individuals with vital resources and guide them through complex systems. Recognizing the high rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover in these fields, the retreat was intentionally designed to celebrate their contributions and fill their own buckets through recognition and self-care. The day was designed to be an extension of monthly Navigator Workgroups facilitated by Initiative Coordinator, Janice Houchins. First 1,000 Days is funded by the generosity of our community. Anyone interested in supporting the initiative can do so by calling Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation at 941.917.1286 or via email, HealthcareFoundation@smh.com. 

Embracing Our Differences (EOD) announces the addition of Flora Oynick to its board of directors. With more than 35 years in early childhood education and school leadership, Oynick has long been part of the region’s education and nonprofit landscape. 

During Safe Children Coalition's Giving Breakfast in late March, SCC leaders announced that the Youth Shelter Campaign - an effort to build a critically-needed new Youth Shelter for homeless and other vulnerable teens - had exceeded its fundraising goal. The campaign has raised nearly $10 million and the final donation ($500,000) that pushed SCC over the finish line was contributed by the SCC Foundation. The new shelter will be located on Sawyer Road in north Sarasota; the exterior construction is nearly complete. SCC leaders expect the facility, which will enable the child welfare organization to serve and protect more area youths, to be operational by the fall of this year. 

Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 5:30pm at The Ora, Neuro Challenge Foundation for  Parkinson’s proudly presents Cause 4 Hope “You’ll Never Walk Alone” celebration to raise funds needed to  provide year-round education, therapeutic and support programs and one-to-one care advising for people  with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Nearly 3,500 families receive support from Neuro Challenge every year to help them navigate their  Parkinson’s journey. This year’s gala will be unlike any other in that it will be filled with inspiring stories of  Parkinson’s heroes, moving entertainment, and a spirited fundraising contest between our gala co chairs, Tom Koski and Matt Walsh. It is the generosity of our community that makes it possible for Neuro  Challenge Foundation to provide all programs and services at no charge to people with Parkinson’s and their families. For more information visit www.NeuroChallenge.org. 722 Apex Road, Suite A, Sarasota, 941-926-6413 www.neurochallenge.org

What if the thing you’ve survived could become the thing that helps someone else keep going? In this powerful invitation, keynote speaker Johnny Crowder—suicide and abuse survivor, touring musician, certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and founder of Cope Notes—shares why you need to be in the room for Step Into the Light: A Mental Health Summit. Living with multiple mental health diagnoses, Johnny brings raw honesty, lived experience, and practical insight that goes beyond surface-level inspiration. This isn’t theory—it’s real life, real struggle, and real tools that actually help. Join us for a transformative day of connection, education, and hope—where stigma gets challenged, stories get shared, and healing gets real. Step into an experience that could change a life - maybe even your own. This year’s Mental Health Summit centers on the shared human experiences that shape our emotional wellbeing: grief, trauma, family challenges, and the everyday stressors that impact our mental health. 

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Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently hosted a Board Alumni Gathering, bringing together past and present board members to mark 30 years of leadership across Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto Counties. The event convened board members from across Gulf Coast’s history, including members of the original board formed in the mid-90’s following the sale of Venice Hospital, as well as the most newly elected members whose terms began April 1. The Board alumni serve a vital role through their continued support of the Foundation as ambassadors in the community, advisors to leadership, and stewards of institutional knowledge. Founded in 1995, Gulf Coast has grown steadily over three decades and together with their donors has invested more than $625 million in community impact across health and human services, education, civic & economic development, arts & culture, and the environment.   

On April 2nd, Navigators from Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties gathered at Resilient Retreat for a day of renewal, connection, and support. Navigator roles such as community health workers, nurses, social workers, case managers, and peer support specialists, work tirelessly to connect individuals with vital resources and guide them through complex systems. Recognizing the high rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover in these fields, the retreat was intentionally designed to celebrate their contributions and fill their own buckets through recognition and self-care. The day was designed to be an extension of monthly Navigator Workgroups facilitated by Initiative Coordinator, Janice Houchins. Sponsored by First 1,000 Days Suncoast, and hosted by Resilient Retreat, the retreat created a space for navigators to recharge, reconnect, and feel cared for in the same way they care for others.