The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded more than $900,000 to 79 nonprofits serving Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, with $345,000 of that directed specifically toward attainable housing, environmental protection and crisis assistance. Individual grants ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, spanning arts, education, environment, health and economic development across the region.
What sets this cycle apart is how the priorities were chosen. The foundation’s 2025 Regional Scan collected input from over 1,500 residents through surveys and focus groups, a 700% increase in participation over 2023. That feedback directly shaped where the targeted funding went. Erin Minor, the foundation’s vice president of community leadership, said the organization looks for groups already making progress and helps them expand their reach.
The Fall 2026 Community Grant cycle closed Sept. 30, with awards expected in November. Since its founding in 1995, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has invested more than $650 million into the region. For residents, the takeaway is simple: local nonprofits addressing housing, water quality, mental health and workforce needs now have additional resources behind them.
Which local cause would you most like to see funded next? Let us know in the comments.
