Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse plug funding shortfall at Embracing Our Differences

Following the loss of state and county grants to Embracing Our Differences, Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse have donated $107,643 to the nonprofit dedicated to promoting diversity through an annual large-scale art exhibition in Sarasota.

Sarah Wertheimer, executive director of Embracing Our Differences, said the Culverhouses' contribution would be used to support the 2025 exhibit at Bayfront Park and its corresponding education programs.

"We are beyond grateful to Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse for their contribution," Wertheimer said in a statement. "Their support makes a world of difference to us, especially now when our county and state funding have been cut. Their outstanding example of generosity and commitment is crucial in sustaining our programs and inspiring positive change."

This year's Embracing Our Differences exhibition was held from Jan. 21 to April 14 at Bayfront Park and drew 420,000 visitors. Its call for artwork and inspirational quotations attracted 16,604 entries from 125 countries and 44 states. Students from 584 schools around the world submitted artwork or quotations to the juried exhibit.

In June, Embracing Our Differences lost a $60,947 state grant when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in arts and culture grants, the first time this has happened in the state's history. 

The nonprofit, which also runs student arts education programs, lost another $46,696 earlier this month when the Sarasota County Commission denied its grant request, along with those of the Chalk Festival and community radio station WSLR/Fogartyville Community Arts and Media Center.

This isn't the first time the Culverhouses have stepped in to plug a funding gap at a nonprofit due to government cuts. Earlier this year, United Way Suncoast’s 211 helpline service for the mentally ill and elderly was funded by the couple for another year after the county commission cut $109,000 of its funding.

Hugh Culverhouse Jr. currently serves as the CEO of Palmer Ranch Holdings Ltd. and has been a generous donor to community efforts to support higher education, mental health and social welfare. 

Eliza Culverhouse is an avid supporter of the arts and has donated millions over the years to cultural initiatives and organizations such as Embracing Our Differences, the Sarasota Ballet and the University of Alabama's dance program. The University of Alabama's new performing arts center was recently named in her honor.