Sarasota County Foundation

Mission

The purpose of the foundation is to facilitate the administration of donations for charitable purposes in Sarasota County, Florida.

Annual application deadlines

May 31

Program areas

Arts, culture, and humanities
Education
Environment/animals
Health
Human services
International/foreign affairs
Public/society benefit
Religion

States served

Florida

Geographic limitations

There are no geographic limitations; however, the trust primarily supports services and programs within Sarasota County, Florida.

Types of support

Program support and capital projects

Trustees

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Grants may be awarded to corporations, associations, or institutions whose purpose is to advance charitable, religious, educational, literary, or scientific goals, or to those organizations whose purpose is to distribute and apply such funds to any one or more such goals, whether located in the city and county of Sarasota or elsewhere. However, preference is given to services and programs within Sarasota County.

Requirements

• Organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Limitations

The foundation generally does not fund:

• Endowments
• Travel
• Research
• Annual giving campaigns
• Completed projects
• Debt reduction
• Deficit financing
• Operating/program expenses
• Marketing materials and advertising
• Conferences, workshops, and seminars

Organizations may not apply to both the Sarasota County Foundation and the Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation within the same year.

Average giving

Average grant size: $5,000 to $10,000
Average number of grants per year: 7
Average total giving per year: $45,000

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round. Applications must be submitted by May 31 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission. Grant decisions are generally communicated by year end for applications received by the deadline.

Required agreements and reports

Except as otherwise specified when a grant is awarded, a progress report must be submitted within 6 months after receiving funds.

About the Foundation

Established in 1958 by Palmer First National Bank and Trust, the purpose of the foundation is to facilitate the administration of donations for charitable purposes in Sarasota County. Grants will be made to programs and capital projects within Sarasota County. The foundation does not make grants to capital campaigns or multi-year commitments.