Prior Grant Requests
Organization Name: American Cancer Society/ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Triangle 2026
Organization Website: MakingStridesWalk.org/SarasotaManatee
Year Established: 1913
Mission Statement:
The American Cancer Society’s mission is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer as we know it for everyone.
Contact Name: Tammy Messercola
Years in Position: 13
Contact Email: Tammy.messercola@cancer.org
Contact Phone: 5189533574
Address:
4309 Hollow Stump Run
Palmetto, Florida 34221
Have you previously received a grant? No
If yes, please indicate the year(s):
How did you hear about our organization?
Lake Club resident Fran Berg has been a longtime supporter and manages the Lake Club Making Strides team Lake Club Team members have been involved in our walk for years, we support the Lake Club events dedicated to eliminating heath concerns and fundraising initiatives and share our local free resources within the community such as Road To Recovery – which provides any one with a cancer related health issue rides to cancer related Dr appointments, as well as our lodging program which allows patients/caregivers to stay at Hope Lodge in Tampa when travel is needed to Moffit Cancer Hospital. We also have many support services, and 800# and live chat at cancer.org that provides local services by tapping into patient zip codes to help with insurance and financial assistance. 1.800.227.2345 or chat at cancer.org – Services are available nation wide and very vibrant in our local Sarasota Manatee communities.
What do you believe we can provide your organization?
Financial support and volunteer opportunities, as well as helping to spread the word about our free services to the local community.
What will the grant be used for?
To support local breast cancer survivors, and their families through our support services – Road To Recovery, Lodging, 800#, Our trained team members can:
Answer questions about your diagnosis.
Provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Connect you with ACS programs and services.
Refer you to other national resources.
Provide the grant amount you are seeking: $1,500.00 any amount would have a significant impact and we would be grateful.
Do you provide services to Sarasota and/or Manatee County? Yes
What is the financial impact per individual/program this grant will provide?
We typically are able to raise over $600,000 locally, along with a men Wear Pink Campaign which also raises $200,000 locally.
Every year, 81% of our expenses go directly toward funding our mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and
patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
The American Cancer Society is proud to hold top ratings from Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau, Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid. High ratings from these widely recognized and respected charity rating and watchdog groups demonstrate our continuing commitment to accountability, transparency, and ethical practices stewarding donations.
Please provide the estimated number of women, children and families impacted.
10,000 individuals are impact through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sarasota Manatee each year, including 500 Breast Cancer Survivors, thrivers and previvors. WE have a tremendous local impact and many community partners, and volunteers who support our mission here in Sarasota Manatee.
Is there a matching grant? No
If yes, indicate donation source:
May we tour your facility? Yes
What reciprocal benefit can you provide our organization:
At the $2,500 level of support and above, you will have a space at our walk on Saturday, Oct 24th at Nathan Benderson Park – along with co-branded marketing assets, inclusion of your logo on our website, scrolling logo on the home page and route signs along the walk path. At the lower level of 1500, your logo will be included on the sponsor page of the website, and you will receive (1) track marker along the walk path. I can provide a full sponsorship booklet outlining the amenities at each level.
You may also purchase a walk route sign with your logo for $500 to support the Lake Club Team.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/ACS-CAN-Non-Profit-Determination-Letter.pdf, https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/ACS-Inc-W9.pdf
Organization’s Logo
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/msabc-logo-150×150.jpg
Project/Program-specific budget:
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/2026-updated-SRQ-sponsorship-opportunities.pdf, https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/Florida-2026-State-Impact-Report-1.pdf
Guide Star Profile/Rating (if applicable):Â
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/Give-with-confidence.pdf
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Just a word about budget, we keep our budget for event expenses to under 10% of event costs – keeping to the standard of .81 cents of every dollar directly fueling our mission to benefit patients. Many of the events depend on gifts in kind from local venues, catering and the magical event details that come together through these donations.
We would like to invite you to our kickoff event on Thursday, August 27th at the Ora to find out more and find out why we do this work. Please RSVP on our home page of the website at MakingStridesWalk.org/SarasotaManatee We could not give back as much as we do to our patients in the community without the corporate partners, volunteers and support from all those in our community – so thank you for your consideration and support.