Apply for an Equity and Access Grant
Deadline: September 3, 2021
Equity and Access Grants ($5,000 - $30,000) support projects that promote equitable access to services amongst populations who face systemic barriers in our community. These grants are an opportunity for the Community Foundation to partner with organizations that are focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in local, direct service work.
Additional questions? Please bring them to an upcoming virtual info session with our team! Register at the link below.
Community Impact Grants
Community Impact Grants (up to $10,000) are designed to address community needs by helping local organizations transform innovative ideas into new programs and/or expand their reach into additional populations. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Additional questions? Please bring them to an upcoming virtual info session with our team! Register at the link below.
Capacity Building Grants
Capacity Building Grants (up to $10,000) respond to organizational needs and are designed to help improve a nonprofit's ability to fulfill its mission. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Additional questions? Please bring them to an upcoming virtual info session with our team! Register at the link below.
For those interested in applying for a grant opportunity but unsure where to begin, we have compiled helpful resources to guide you along the application process:
If you have any questions about available grant opportunities, reach out to [email protected].
New Enhancements for The Giving Partner
Coming September 8th, 2021!

The Giving Partner is evolving and we are excited to announce a significant refresh to the platform that has incorporated feedback from nonprofit organizations, donors, and funders to enhance the platform’s functionality and enhance its value for everyone.

While things will still look very familiar, we’ve added some new fields, eliminated a few fields, and relocated a few fields.  

New Demographic Fields
In September, based on national best practices from Candid (formerly known as Guidestar), we will introduce new demographic fields for board members and staff leadership. While we have always asked for race/ethnicity and gender for board members, additional fields have been added (along with the opportunity to select the answer "Decline to State") for sexual orientation and ability.

We expect by having greater knowledge of our community, stakeholders will be able to make better informed decisions. We know that what gets measured is a beginning point for thoughtful conversations about who we are and what we can become. 

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is committed to improving the lives of all people. We believe the strength of our community is in its diversity. Together, we strive to address issues and create opportunities so all people can achieve their full potential.

We will use data to:
  • deepen our understanding of the community and their needs
  • assess our reach, gaps, and identify opportunities
  • measure the impact of our charitable investments

Follow the link below for the full list of enhancements that will be deployed starting September 8, 2020.
IMPORTANT: To best facilitate the release of these enhancements, The Giving Partner site will be locked for profile editing for a short period (anticipated September 8 – 13) while GiveGab, our technology partner finalizes the deployment.

Afterward, you may make updates to your profiles as needed. The public-facing functionality of profiles will not be affected. Stakeholders will still be able to explore profiles during this time and make donations (if a nonprofit organization has the donation button enabled).

We’re glad to share this more robust and comprehensive version of The Giving Partner with you and the community in the coming weeks.
  
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] 
Leveraging Peer to Peer Fundraising: 
During the Giving Challenge & Beyond

Join GiveGab, the Neuro Challenge Foundation of Parkinson's, and Community Foundation staff to learn how to add Peer to Peer (P2P) fundraising to your fundraising toolkit. P2P fundraising allows your biggest supporters to tell their stories of your organization’s impact and helps expand your donor network.

What You'll Learn:

  • Strategies for building a strong team of fundraisers

  • How to attract new donors and increase engagement – for both the Giving Challenge as well as throughout the year via The Giving Partner

Who Should Attend: 
Future Giving Challenge team leads and development staff may find this training beneficial. Trainings and other opportunities through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County are available only to organizations with Approved/Current profiles in The Giving Partner.  

Join us virtually:
Tuesday, September 14th from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Please contact Madeline Hansen at [email protected] with questions about this event. This webinar will be recorded and shared.
Community Foundation 101
Webinar Workshop Recording

Curious about community foundations? Learn about the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and how it differs from other local foundations in this recorded webinar workshop. You'll have a chance to hear from key staff members and learn how to access community and capacity-building resources.

What You'll Learn:

  • Participants will understand the role of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County in the local community

  • Participants will leave with an understanding of how best to utilize the nonprofit community resources available to them through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County 

Watch the Recording:
This webinar was recorded on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Please contact Madeline Hansen at [email protected] with questions about this recording.
Giving Challenge Updates
Downloadable Graphics and Impact Testimonials
"Save the Date" Downloadable Graphics
As you prepare to promote the 2022 Giving Challenge in your fall newsletters, flyers, and digital collateral, please feel free to use the following branded graphics.

The initial 2022 Giving Challenge downloadable goodies include:

  • "Save the Date" Facebook and Twitter graphics

  • "Save the Date" email header
More downloadable Giving Challenge graphics, images, and logos to be added in the coming months!
Stories and Impact Testimonials from the 2020 Giving Challenge
Over the last several months, nonprofit organizations have shared stories of impact from the 2020 Giving Challenge.

Thanks to the many quality submissions we received, we're proud to share these Impact Testimonials on our Community Foundation website. You can already explore stories that were collected throughout the year.

A new Impact Testimonial submitted by your nonprofit peers will be shared every two weeks beginning September 1.
A friendly reminder: Nonprofit News will be your source for the latest about the 2022 Giving Challenge, including trainings, workshops, and other important updates. If you miss an issue of Nonprofit News, you can revisit archived editions anytime on the Community Foundation of Sarasota County website.
Support Black-Led Causes during Give 8/28!
Celebrate our local participating organizations
To culminate the month-long celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in August, several local nonprofit organizations are participating in Give 8/28, a national giving day hosted by the Young, Black and Giving Back Institute to inspire philanthropy by and for Black communities.

This year, more than 10 local nonprofits are joining 300 other Black-led and Black-serving causes across the nation. You can view a comprehensive list on our website.

Last year, more than 470 nonprofits raised more than $250,000 during the 24-hour challenge. Locally, more than 15 nonprofits participated - many for the first time. Read about their success. This year we anticipate a great local turnout and success as well!

To join this year’s celebration of Black philanthropy and support these local causes on Saturday, August 28, visit www.give828.org or visit the link below.
Zoom Pledge Button
Are you planning to host online events in the future? If so, you might be excited to hear about a new feature on Zoom.

Any Zoom meeting can become a fundraising opportunity with the Donations by Pledge app.

Follow the link below to learn more.
Nonprofit Job Bank

Whether you're seeking a new nonprofit position or you want to post an open position at your organization, your local resource is the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southwest Florida Chapter's Job Bank, supported by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Missed an issue of Nonprofit News? Review Archived Issues.

Have a Story of Impact you'd like to share? Send Us Your Story.