The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently announced $8 million in grants includes and initiatives, including support for affordable housing, human services, projects that promote environmental sustainability, and education and reading. The funding includes a $1 million grant to the Safe Children Coalition, a $1 million grant to Chicago Zoological Society to support the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, an $800,000 grant to Harvest House, a $500,000 investment for Barancik Foundation to establish a Recidivism Initiative to support work to prevent criminal re-offending in the 12th Judicial Circuit; a $250,000 grant to Minorities in Shark Sciences, $225,000 to the Women's Resource Center and more.

HCA Florida Healthcare, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare—which operates Sarasota's Doctors Hospital, among other facilities—has a $600,000 HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $600,000 grant to Volunteers of America (VOA) through the Healthier Tomorrow Fund to promote mental wellness and resilience among first responders.

The Van Wezel Foundation recently announced that it has provided more than $540,000 this past year to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to underwrite arts education and community engagement programs for students, educators, and families throughout the Suncoast.  

The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation has awarded $65,000 to the Tidewell Foundation to help ensure Manatee County residents in need of the care and services from Tidewell Hospice receive it, regardless of their ability to pay.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast in support of its Next Gen Conservation Program. The grant will further Conservation Foundation’s commitment to youth education through discovery, nature-based activities, citizen science, and memorable experiences in the great outdoors.

Neal Communities donated $50,000 toward Riverview High School’s new Construction Academy, designed to prepare high school students for a career in the building industry. The first of its kind in Sarasota County, the program will incorporate a curriculum from the National Center of Construction Education and Research along with providing hands-on experiences for students. Currently, 60 students are enrolled in the program, which also has a waiting list.

Personalized Estate Liquidation Benefiting Youth, Inc. (PEL) recently donated $30,000 to the The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota & DeSoto Counties.