We are deeply grateful to each member of our Organization for your unwavering support, contagious enthusiasm, and shared vision. Your commitment to uplifting our community is both inspiring and impactful, helping to create meaningful change in the lives of children and adults who need it most. Because of your generosity and belief in our mission, we are able to extend hope, opportunity, and resources to those who rely on the strength and compassion of this remarkable group.
We are pleased to let you know that we have secured $65,000 in funding for this distribution, comprised of membership dues, funds from The Exchange and additional donations.
All organizations have been vetted by members of our committee. Please review the following charities and select your top 3 choices, additionally upon submission, you will then be directed to a second page where you will be asked to select “yes or no” to the special community consideration grant. You will have 10 days to review and vote, please vote on or before April 29. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nancy Lepain at 312-617-4583. nlepain@gmail.com or Arleen Levine at 419-283-9002. Levine.arleen@gmail.com
The applicants are divided among several categories, all of which are in keeping with our mission.
Special Needs for Children and Adults:
Ability to Include: Grant Request $4,000
Grant will support 40 children with a disability such as Autism or Down Syndrome, and 30 care givers in a recreational learning model that integrates social skills, physical activity and family empowerment. Participants are paired 1:1 with a buddy from Lecom Medical School. https://www.abilitytoinclude.org
DD’s Miracle Minis: Grant Request $2,000 with Matching Grant
Provides therapeutic benefits to disabled children and adults through animal assisted activities and therapeutic visits with miniature horses leading to improved outcomes. https://miracleminis.org
Food and Shelter:
All Faiths Food Bank: Grant request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Funds will support The Back Pack Program. Cost per back pack is $5. This grant will enable the purchase of 1,000 back packs which provides a discreet, child friendly bag filled with nutritious, easy to prepare food that children can take home on Fridays or before school break. Https://allfaithsfoodbank.org
Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels Plus: Grant request $5,000
Provides caring and supportive services to seniors of Manatee County. Services include: home delivered meals to The Food Bank of Manatee Daybreak Adult Day Care Center and Friendship Dining Centers. Grant will be used to support The Summer Hunger Food 4 Families program. All of the funds to support the food bank come from the community. https://mealsonwheelsplus.org
The Pines of Sarasota: Grant request $5,500. Grants awarded in 2024 and 2025.
Funds will support The Assisted Living Facility ( ALF ) Mission Fund which provides support beyond which Medicaid pays for. This ensures that every resident can receive care with dignity, regardless of financial circumstances. Approximately 50% of Assisted Living residents rely on financial assistance to stay in their homes. https://pinesfoundation.org
Children and Youth Health Care/Welfare/Counseling:
Josh Provides: Grant request $2,500. Grant awarded in 2022.
The goal of the program is to improve the lives of those living with Epilepsy and other seizure disorders through direct services with education, support groups and transportation. Grant will be used to provide transportation services for three individuals. https://joshprovides.org
Samaritan Counseling Services: Grant request $2,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
In 2025, more than 2.600 people asked for help from Samaritan Counseling Services. Of that number, 399 clients received financial assistance. The Grant will allow 4 clients to receive 9 counseling sessions. https://www.samaritangulfcoast.com
Tidewell Foundation: Blue Butterfly Family Grief Program: Grant request: $2,500. Grant awarded in 2025.
The Grant will support bi-weekly support sessions for 25 children and 20 caregivers in The Blue Butterfly Family Grief Program. https://www.tidewellfoundation.org
Foster Care and Advocacy:
Children’s Guardian Fund: Grant request $3,000
The Grant will provide 15-20 foster children with an item or experience they would not otherwise have. Examples include birthday gift card, one on one tutoring session, camp, after school program or bedding. https://www.childrensguardianfund.org
Foster the Family: Grant request $7,500. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will directly support the foster CARE package delivery program which provides tangible assistance to caregivers within 24 hours after a child enters foster care. This represents direct service to 30-35 children having a cost of $200-250. https://fosterthefamily.org/locations/florida
The Twig Cares Grant request $2,500. Grant awarded in 2025.
The Grant will be used to support the TWIG shopping experience for 25 children in foster care with a cost of $100 per child. https://www.thetwigcares.com
Children and Youth Socialization/Support/Childcare:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast: Grant request $5,000
Grant will be used to provide 20 graduating Manatee/Sarasota seniors living below the poverty line with a “college readiness basket” filled with items such as sheets, blankets, laundry detergent and a flash drive. Also provides for one-on-one mentorship in college. https://bbbssun.org
Parenting Matters: Grant Request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
The Grant will expand access to bilingual mental health counseling for parents participating in the Parent Partner Program. This program serves families with children 0-16 who are at increased risk for child abuse or neglect. https://www.parentingmatters.org
Girl Scouts of the Gulf Coast Florida: Grant Request $3,000
The Grant will be used to help support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Girls take on meaningful leadership experiences as decision makers in planning and implementing their experiences. The GSLE also supports the four dimensions of wellness. https://www.GSGCF.Org
Children/Youth Education and Culture Scholarships:
Education Foundation of Sarasota County: Grant Request $3,000
The Grant will be used to support the Future Ready Scholars Summer Bridge, a one-week immersive experience held in June for approximately 25 high school students in grades 9-12. They will explore career pathways, develop resumes and practice interviewing skills and strengthening communication skills. https://edfoundationsrq.org
Embracing our Differences: Grant Request $2,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will be used for “Fill the Bucket” reading day. Books will be purchase for 667 students in grades Pre-K- through grade three. https://www.embracingourdifferences.org
School Attendance Support: Grant Request $3,500. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will be used to fund items for Palmetto High School, a Title1 Manatee County High School with low academic proficiency. Funds will support 2,200 students. https://www.schoolattendancesupport.org
Take Stock in Children: Grant Request $4,250. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will fund two dorm scholarships for two high performing low-income students. Matching grant from Florida Pre-Paid. This will defray the cost of dorm expenses. https://www.manateetakestock.org
Unidos Now: Grant Request $3,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will provide 10 students with 3 sessions of 1:1 academic tutoring. Online services will be provided for 20 students. https://www.unidosnow.org
United Community Center: Grant Request $2,340
Provides B.A.S.E. programs for economically disadvantaged youth in grades K-8. Programs focus on literacy. Grant will support three students https://www.uccfl.com
Women’s Resource Center: Grant Request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Funds will support two women through The Pathways to Success Program, by providing scholarships that open doors to job opportunities. The program also provides mental health counseling, financial assistance and unlimited visits to The WRC Career Closet for professional attire. https://www.mywrc.org
Adult Programming/Adult Health:
Key Chorale: Grant Request $3,000
Suncoast’s premiere symphonic chorus dedicated to transforming lives through innovative programming, educational outreach and service to the community. Grant will fund three senior outreach programs in Manatee/Sarasota County. https://www.keychorale.org
Lighthouse Vision Center: Grant Request $3,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will help to offset costs associated with the Activities of Daily Living and Wellness Wednesday classes for vision impaired clients. Grant will serve 135 women. https://www.lighthouseeducation.org
Meals on Wheels of Sarasota: Grant Request $3,000
Grant will be dedicated to the Home Delivered Meal Program which served 119,287 to 886 clients in 2025. This Grant will provide 375 meals. The average client receives 22 meals per month. Https://mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org
Addiction/Homelessness/Domestic Violence Needs/Parenting:
Forty Carrots Family Center: Grant Request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Grant will support 15 therapy sessions to 25 children and their caregivers who have been exposed to or are victims of domestic abuse or violence. https://www.fortycarrots.com
Freedom House Manasota: Grant Request $2,000
Freedom House helps individuals struggling with addiction and instability find freedom and purpose. The Grant will be used to purchase 40 basic needs baby kits ($50 per kit) for mothers entering the Freedom House Program in Manatee County. These mothers are recovering from addiction, domestic violence or abuse. https://www.freedomhousemanasota.org
Habitat for Humanity Sarasota: Grant Request $1,968. Grant awarded in 2024.
Grant will purchase blinds for two three-bedroom homes, and one four-bedroom home. Habitat has built nearly 500 homes for income qualified families. https://habitatsrq.org
Harvest Tabernacle (DBA Harvest House): Grant Request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2025.
Transforming lives through supportive and affordable housing, addiction recovery programs and food security. Grant will be used to purchase bus passes and transportation. This will support 10 women for one year. https://harvesthousecenters.org
HOPE Family Services: Grant Request $3,000. Grant awarded in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
HOPE is Manatee County’s only State certified domestic violence provider and operates an Emergency Safe Shelter. Grant will support nutritious meals and essential supplies for 300 shelter residents. https://www.hopefamilyservice.org
Kim’s Krew: Grant Request $3,500
Kim’s Krew delivers food and essential living items for up to thirty days to Manatee County residents facing health related crises, who have limited access to other food sources. Supportive services are also offered. https://www.kimskrew.org
SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center): Grant Request $2,000. Grant awarded in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Grant will be used to ensure uninterrupted services to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Services include crisis counseling, and safety planning. Last year SPARCC provided 4,499 nights of shelter to 99 adults, 50 children and 9 pets. https://www.sparcc.net
Second Chance Last Opportunity: Grant Request $3,500. Grant awarded in 2025.
This grant will support the Women’s Empowerment and Safe Space Program. This program is for Women and their families who want to change their lives for the better. This program helps women who need a second chance to change, renew rebuild and reset their lives. https://secondchancelastopportunity.org
Selah Freedom: Grant Request $2,000. Grant awarded in 2023.
Fighting against sex trafficking and child exploitation. The Grant will be used to purchase a new dining room table and chairs to support family style meals in the Safe Home as well as twin comforter sets and pillows for all residents. https://selahfreedom.com/
Cultural Arts for Children:
CreArte Latino: Grant Request $5,000. Grant awarded in 2024 and 2025.
The Grant will expand access to CreArte Latino’s arts education and community programming for families who face financial hardships. Funds will provide an opportunity for children to participate in bilingual theater and workshops. https://wwwcreatelatino.org
If you would like to view the detailed grant applications and prior grant history, click HERE,
Vote for the grant applicants below. Please select up to 3 applicants.
This form is currently closed for submissions.