The Patterson Foundation has contributed $500,000 total in unrestricted funds to strengthen immediate response and long-term recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake that has devastated both countries. The total includes two separate gifts designed to catalyze additional donations to The Patterson Foundation’s longtime partners, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) and NetHope, who are actively working in both countries: $375,000 to CDP's Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund, which prioritizes medium- and long-term needs identified in collaboration with local partners, such as shelter, protection, cash assistance and health care; and $125,000 to NetHope's Earthquake Response, which will provide internet connectivity for the people most affected by this disaster, technology equipment, and ensure better digital protection and cybersecurity to humanitarian aid organizations responding to the earthquake.

The 13th annual Cooking for Wishes event—a four-course, interactive dinner where guests at each table prepared their own meal under the direction of Executive Chef Jamil Piñeda and Phil Mancini of Michael’s on East—raised $650,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation to underwrite the cost to grant more than 80 life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses.

The Library Foundation for Sarasota County welcomed 700 guests to its annual “Love Our Libraries” Author Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton on February 10. The guest speaker was Erik Larson, and the sold-out event raised $386,100, which will help to fund summer learning programs at all 10 Sarasota County public libraries, purchase books and digital resources, increase advocacy efforts, and enhance the libraries’ technological footprint. 

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has awarded $226,614 in Hurricane Ian relief to six Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota county nonprofits. The funding will go to discretionary disaster relief, roof, floor and ceiling repairs as well as outdoor lighting and fencing. 

Suncoast Credit Union has awarded $75,000 to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County to support its work in helping students make purposeful plans that prepare them to succeed in life after high school. The grant, which is for the 2022-23 academic year, will support the Education Foundation in building off its existing college, career, and life-readiness work to make resources and services more accessible to students, especially low-income and minority students. 

Second Heart Homes recently received a $21,150 grant from the local chapter of 100 Women Who Care. The organization also received a $5,000 matching grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, resulting in a total of $26,500. 

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County also recently received $91,493.40 in matching funds from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations' School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. These funds will support its project Reaching and Supporting Low-Income Students for Success. 

Family Promise of South Sarasota County (FPSSC) recently received a $5,000 grant from Harold & Jacqueline Bladel Charitable Trust for its Bridge Housing Program. FPSSC also received a $2,500 grant from the Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation to purchase a brand-new washer and dryer for the Bridge Housing Program’s Day Center on Shamrock Blvd. 

MSC Foundation recently announced that it awarded $92,250 in grants as part of its 2022 grant cycle. Grant checks were presented to 47 local organizations that were recognized for the work they do to improve the quality of life in their communities. Representatives from each of the nonprofits shared details about their cause and how the money will be used.

Teen Court of Sarasota recently received a $45,000 donation from Personalized Estate Liquidation Benefiting Youth, Inc. (PEL) to support at-risk youth in Sarasota County. Teen Court of Sarasota provides programs and services to young people worthy of a second chance to learn and grow from their mistakes.

All Faiths Food Bank recently received a $40,000 grant from the Bank of America Client Foundation, $10,000 from the Harold C. and Jacqueline F. Bladel Foundation, Inc. and $6,000 grant from the Cook Family Foundation, its BackPack program; and a $5,000 grant from Saint Boniface Episcopal Church for its School Pantry program.

Ability to Include (formerly ABAid Suncoast) received a $4,000 grant from Manatee Community Foundation and partnered with local behavior analysis provider Virtus Health to serve children with autism struggling with safely and appropriately completing dental, medical, or wellness appointments. 

Halfacre Construction Company, a Lakewood Ranch-based commercial construction company, recently donated $1,000 to Nicole Golden, Hillsborough teacher and president of HABSE, the local chapter of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), to help fund her trip to Washington D.C. to serve as a panelist for The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

The Academy at Glengary has received a $30,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support its expansion into Manatee County with the new Academy at Bradenton, expected to open fully in June 2023. The organization is replicating its existing program in Sarasota to provide adults living with persistent mental illness with a path for mental health recovery. These funds will be used to develop the Transitional Employment program.

All Star Children's Foundation has been awarded a $40,000 grant through the Bank of America Client Foundation’s Frederic W. and Margaret E. Kurtz Fund. This critical funding supports the continued implementation of All Star’s trauma-informed programs for children and families in the 12th Judicial Circuit’s foster care system.