Community Foundation of Sarasota County Raises Nearly $1.6 Million, Awards $700,000 in Grants
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Raises Nearly $1.6 Million, Awards $700,000 in Grants
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has announced $700,000 in grants to local agencies working to provide emergency assistance to families and individuals. The foundation also announced that it raised a total of $1.57 million during its 2010-11 Season of Sharing campaign, including a $500,000 matching grant from the Sarasota-based Patterson Foundation.
Grants announced by the foundation included $71,000 each to All Faiths Food Bank, Children First, Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Jewish Family & Children's Service, Resurrection House, Senior Friendship Centers, and United Way 2-1-1. In addition, the foundation awarded $50,000 to the American Red Cross Manatee County; $40,000 to Catholic Charities for DeSoto County; $39,000 to the United Way of Charlotte County; and $37,000 each to the Community Coalition on Homelessness and the Manatee Community Action Agency.
Now in its eleventh year, the Season of Sharing campaign began as a partnership between the community foundation and the Herald-Tribune Media Group. This year, the Patterson Foundation provided a one-to-one match for all new and increased donations received by March up to $500,000; 100 percent of the funds raised during the campaign will be distributed directly to agencies in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties offering services for those at risk of homelessness.
"We are overwhelmed by the people requesting assistance with primarily rent or utilities," said Adell Erozer, executive director of Community Coalition on Homelessness. "We are very grateful for the support of the community, which makes this assistance possible through Season of Sharing."
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