GCCF makes $1.3 million in grants to support arts and services

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board of Directors approved more than $1.3 million in grants during its June meeting, including $785,000 in funding for the region’s cornerstone arts and cultural organizations.

The foundation rebranded its Arts Appreciation Grants as the Empowering Arts Grant Program. 

“We cut the administrative red tape for these incredible organizations that serve as the underpinning of our region’s vibrant culture,” said GCCF President and CEO Phillip Lanham. “Not only do these organizations enrich our lives, they also serve as a powerful economic force in our region, generating $342 million in economic impact in 2022.”

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.

Other grants include:

• $50,000 to Friends of The Legacy Trail for the Beneva Road sidewalk replacement to connect Legacy Trail with the Nature Park at Bobby Jones Golf Club, Nathan Benderson Park and MoteSEA. 
• $150,000 to Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support for its regional workforce development program, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. 
• $209,979 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties for the third and final installment of Gulf Coast’s $1 million commitment to support the rebuilding of the Gene Matthews Club in North Port, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. 
• $70,000 to Education Foundation of Sarasota County for PLANit Sarasota, a local college access network, to support young adults with the resources to enroll in post-secondary education and to launch an educational navigation program.