VENICE — Gulf Coast Community Foundation‘s board of directors approved more than $1.3 million in grant awards in June, with nearly $800,000 going to arts and cultural organizations under its Empowering Arts Grant Program.
The program, formerly known as the Arts Appreciation Grants, is intended to “empower the community’s world-class arts and cultural organizations to meet their full potential,” a news release says.
“The Empowering Arts Grant Program is a true example of trust-based philanthropy,” GCCF President/CEO Phillip Lanham said in the release. “We cut the administrative red tape for these incredible organizations that serve as the underpinning of our region’s vibrant culture.
“Not only do these organizations enrich our lives, they also serve as a powerful economic force in our region, generating $342,000,000 in economic impact in 2022. Support is needed now more than ever to sustain these economic assets.”
The 13 Empowering Arts recipients are Asolo Repertory Theatre, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Orchestra, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Opera, Venice Theatre, Circus Arts Conservatory, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Embracing Our Differences, Hermitage Artist Retreat and Venice Symphony.
The board also approved several grants to support community projects, including:
$209,979 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties as the third and final installment of a $1 million commitment to support the rebuilding of the Gene Matthews Club
in North Port, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
The grant is supported by Gulf Coast’s Venice Endowment Fund, the Gould Family Trust Foundation and the Anna V. Pfister, Nellie Mae Koss and Helen K. Hadden Memorial Endowment Fund.
$50,000 to Friends of The Legacy Trail for the Beneva Road Sidewalk Replacement to connect The Legacy Trail with the nature park at Bobby Jones Golf Club Nathan Benderson Park and Mote SEA
.
This grant was supported by the Maria Haber Charitable Fund.
$150,000 to Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Foundation to continue support for the regional workforce development program CareerEdge Funders Collaborative.
In 2023, 461 individuals took part in training resulting in 281 earned industry credentials, 158 raises and 98 promotions earned by workers.
This grant was supported by Gulf Coast’s Venice Endowment Fund and the Ed and Barbara Strobel Fund.
$70,000 to Education Foundation of Sarasota County for PLANit Sarasota
, the local college access network, to support young adults with the resources to enroll in post-secondary education, and to launch an educational navigation program.
The grant is supported by Gulf Coast’s Venice Endowment Fund and the James M. Maestranzi Charitable Fund.
Since being founded in 1995 as The Venice Foundation with the proceeds of the sale of Venice Hospital, GCCF has awarded grants totaling more than $550 million in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture and the environment.
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