Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Board Approves $2.4 Million in Grant Funding

November 15, 2021 – Sarasota

Recent funding from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation creates workforce pipelines, supports health equity efforts, and boosts work to promote diversity, equity, and access through the arts. 

Increasing the Nursing Pipeline

A $450,000 grant to State College of Florida Foundation for the development of an evening and weekend nursing degree program.  There are more than 1,300 nursing openings in Manatee and Sarasota counties alone, driven by escalating retirements and practitioners otherwise leaving the profession. This will help increase flexibility for nursing students who are holding jobs while they study.

Enhancing Traffic Safety for First Responders

A $240,000 grant to allow the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office to purchase two driving simulators and improve driving training for first responders.  These simulators improve cognitive awareness, critical decision-making, and overall safety performance.

Expanding Access to Equitable Healthcare Services

A $200,000 grant to CenterPlace Health for outfitting mobile vans and supporting associated personnel to deliver healthcare services across the county.  Funds will be used to hire a community healthcare worker, patient service representative, and a registered nurse. 

Backing the Vision to Establish an African American Art Center

A $200,000 grant to Sarasota Africa American Cultural Coalition for capacity building and support for efforts to build an African American art center in Newtown. 

Increasing Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Access in the Arts

A $200,000 grant to Van Wezel Foundation to support the Foundation for the Future program.  This grant will be used to establish a fully functional education department within the Van Wezel Foundation.  The department will focus on diversity, inclusion, equity, and access efforts in the region’s art spaces.

Reducing the Wait List for Children Who Have Experienced Abuse

A $175,000 grant to Child Protection Center for the Creating the Capacity for Hope program.  There are currently 71 child abuse victims on the waiting list for therapy due to a shortage of professionals to treat these children.  Funds will be used to hire/retain staff and expand the organization’s operations in order to reduce the waiting list.

Supporting Research Efforts Around Florida’s Key Issues

A $150,000 grant to Florida Policy Institute in unrestricted funding to allow the organization to advance their mission and work.

Removing Barriers for Employees on Parole

A $130,000 grant to the Florida Department of Corrections for the Mobile Supervision Unit project.  One of the great challenges for people released from jail or prison is finding and maintaining a job with the regular interruption of their schedules to report to a probation officer.  Funds will be used to create a fully mobile probation unit that will travel throughout the 12^thJudicial Circuit, making it easier for those reporting for probation. 

Growing Housing Availability for Homeless Women

A $125,000 grant to Second Heart Homes for the Homeless Women project.  Funding will help support a housing-first model and provide social services for women, while also allowing the organization to expand its operations. 

Strengthening Our Capacity to Address Mental Health

A $120,000 grant to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties to support the organization as it takes ownership of physical drop-in mental health centers.  These centers offer peer-led services and resources to foster recovery, improve quality of life, and achieve and sustain wellness for adults living with mental illnesses.

Promoting Collaboration Between Human Service Organizations

A two-year, $101,612 grant to Glasser-Schoenbaum Human Services Center for the organization to hire a Campus Animator to help increase relationships and collaboration between the organization’s 17 human service tenants. 

Increasing Access to Sarasota’s Cultural Experiences

A $100,000 grant to Ringling College of Art + Design to support the Sarasota Art Museum’s “free day” program.  The program allows all members of the community, regardless of means, admission to enjoy art in the museum.

Expanding Education Efforts in the Arts

A $100,000 grant to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe for the expansion of its education programs.  The grant will double the funding for the organization’s educational programs and cover guest artists’ fees for its after-school programming. 

Empowering Positive Role Models

A $40,000 grant to Truly Valued for programming support and capacity building. Truly Valued is a grassroots youth-mentoring nonprofit serving teens who benefit from having a trusted relationship guiding them in school and life.  The organization currently works with 150 youth and their families.