Organization Name: CreArte Latino Cultural Center
Date Survey was Submitted: July 29, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Contact Name: Carolina Franco
Contact Phone: 941-879-4943
Contact Email: cfranco@creartelatino.org
Were the funds spent with a year of grant receipt?  Yes
If no, please explain why not below:
How was the money used?
The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle grant was used exactly as proposed to remove financial barriers to participation in CreArte Latino Cultural Center’s arts and cultural programming. Grant funds provided scholarships for children to participate in multi-week theater and performing arts workshops and offered complimentary or reduced-cost tickets for families with limited financial resources to attend bilingual theatrical performances and cultural events. These funds enabled children to participate in creative arts education regardless of their family’s ability to pay while allowing parents and siblings to experience high-quality cultural programming together. The grant directly advanced CreArte’s mission of promoting cultural exchange through the arts by making programs more accessible to underserved Hispanic and multicultural families throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Was there an unexpected benefit or a special outcome from this grant that you would like to share? Yes
If yes, please explain:
One of the most meaningful outcomes was the increased family participation generated by the complimentary tickets. Many scholarship recipients attended performances with parents, siblings, and extended family members who otherwise would not have participated. This strengthened family engagement, increased cultural pride among children, introduced many first-time attendees to CreArte’s programs, and created lasting relationships with families who have since returned to additional workshops and performances. The grant also helped expand awareness of CreArte throughout the community and encouraged new volunteers and supporters to become involved. Survey responses consistently demonstrated increased confidence, stronger cultural identity, greater bilingual engagement, and stronger connections among participating families.
How many people were impacted by this grant?
120
Please indicate the number of women, children, and/or families residing in Sarasota and/or Manatee County who were directly impacted by this grant.
• Children: 20 scholarship recipients • Families: Approximately 20 families • Community members receiving complimentary tickets: Approximately 100 individuals Because many ticket recipients attended as family groups, the grant positively affected approximately 120 residents across Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Do you have any suggestions to improve our grant process.
The application and reporting process was clear and well organized. We appreciate the Foundation’s emphasis on understanding community impact rather than focusing solely on financial information. As a suggestion, it would be helpful to provide grant recipients with an opportunity to share photos, participant stories, or brief videos demonstrating the impact of the grant, allowing organizations to showcase outcomes beyond written reports.
Did you find the grant process succinct and easy to submit? Yes
Comments:
The process was straightforward, user-friendly, and appropriately scaled for the size of the grant. Communication throughout the process was timely and supportive, making it easy to complete both the application and reporting requirements.
Would a representative from your organization be willing to speak to our group about the impact of your grant? Â Yes
Additional information:
Thank you for investing in equitable access to arts and culture in our community. Your generosity helped children discover confidence through the performing arts while giving families meaningful opportunities to celebrate their cultural heritage together. Every scholarship and complimentary ticket removed a financial barrier and created experiences that strengthen community connection, belonging, and lifelong appreciation for the arts. We are grateful to The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle for believing in CreArte’s mission and for helping ensure that quality cultural experiences remain accessible to everyone, regardless of income. We look forward to continuing our partnership and sharing the lasting impact your investment has made in the lives of local children and families.
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