Five Things You Didn't Know About Manatee Community Foundation

1. Our favorite word is partnership.
Manatee Community Foundation’s mission is to partner with our citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service—now and forever.

As the only community foundation in Manatee serving the entire county and beyond, MCF is your partner in philanthropy. We are the trusted steward of charitable legacies and the guide for current giving through donor-advised funds, field of interest funds, designated funds, scholarship funds, unrestricted funds, and agency funds. We provide creative options for tax-wide giving with local knowledge – we are YOUR PARTNER IN PHILANTHROPY.

Manatee County has always been a tight-knit community with a caring, giving spirit. MCF simply acts as a bridge between generous donors, business leaders, our government, and nonprofit partners, helping them invest in and improve our community. We foster connections, share knowledge, provide funding, and engage others to act today, for a better tomorrow - because, together, we can do greater things.

2. In our 25 years, we have infused our community with over $60 million of philanthropic support—and value beyond dollars.
Since its inception, MCF has invested over $62.8 million into the community, in areas of health and human services, education, arts and culture, the environment, and animal welfare. However, not all value can be measured in dollars. We harness the power of partnership, creating strong bonds and lasting connections that have yielded immeasurable positive change.

3. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
Communities are better when their citizens champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and MCF strives to build a better community in this way. We want to reach everyone who lives here—and although we’ve made progress, we still have work to do.

Our strategies:

A. Listen and Learn. We aim to integrate diversity, inclusion, equity and access into ongoing staff and board professional development.

B. Adapt Decision-Making Processes. We seek diverse voices to inform our work and decision-making through deliberate processes and networking.

C. Make Meaningful Investments. We strive to include meaningful initiatives in our annual plan that reflect our commitment to access and opportunity.

D. Communicate Our Values. We seek to demonstrate to diverse donors and community members that we represent their needs, interests and communities as part of our work.

As we assess grant applications, we’re especially interested in how a nonprofit’s work is addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

4. In times of disaster, we’re ready to mobilize.
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, we have partnered with key community organizations and national corporations to provide critical rapid relief and long-term recovery efforts. Together with organizations like the Early Learning Coalition, Meals on Wheels Plus, Family Initiative, Hope Florida, and support from corporate partners like Mosaic and FPL, MCF is addressing both the urgent needs of those affected and planning for sustained community resilience alongside Manatee County government.

Immediate Needs Addressed
The impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton disrupted food security, housing, employment and life as we know it, across Manatee County. We immediately activated our Disaster Relief Fund, and with the support of its donor families, issued dozens of emergent grants to nonprofit organizations delivering life-sustaining support to affected communities.

One of the areas that felt the greatest impact is Anna Maria Island, where the community’s only childcare center was destroyed post Hurricane Helene. MCF and the Early Learning Coalition issued grants to temporarily relocate the childcare facility to the Center of Anna Maria Island, ensuring that families have continued access to these essential services.

Simultaneously, we worked hand-in-hand with Meals On Wheels Plus to fund and deliver much needed water, food, and cleaning supplies across nearly all mobile home estates throughout the county post Hurricane Milton. 

Our Disaster Relief Fund continues to channel resources to provide direct support. Beyond the immediate, the focus is on distributing cleaning supplies, food, and essentials to affected residents and first responders. We were honored to host Family Initiatives onsite to distribute much-needed resources to foster care and adoptive families. Additionally, we have compiled a critical resource guide for citizens and county officials and assisted gathering volunteers who conducted door-to-door needs assessments throughout the community.

Partnerships for Recovery
Key partnerships are enabling MCF to extend its reach. With lead support from The Knight Foundation and Mosaic, and through local fundraising efforts, an additional $400,000 has been invested in relief and recovery thus far. MCF has also partnered with Southern Smoke Foundation and the Realtors Association to provide direct financial support to displaced families.

We have issued grants to local nonprofits in hard-hit areas like Anna Maria Island, Myakka, Rubonia, Parrish, and Palmetto, allowing organizations to meet immediate needs while preparing for the long-term rebuilding process.

Looking Ahead: Long-Term Recovery and Support
As Manatee County begins its recovery, we are focused on sustainable efforts. MCF has initiated convening with community leaders to assess ongoing needs in affected areas, with a goal of not only restoring what was lost, but ensuring these communities are better prepared for future storms. We’re committed to being here for the long haul. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, and we’ll be working closely with our partners to build back, stronger.

5. Our team is passionate about helping our community.
As we move forward, we hope to closely partner with our donors, fellow foundations, government officials, the business community, and our esteemed nonprofit partners—because philanthropy is a team sport. Together, we are stronger.

For information about Manatee Community Foundation, visit www.manateecf.org