Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Board Awards $2.7 Million

Sarasota, FL— Recent funding from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation focuses on supporting health and human service needs, building equity for communities of color, and protecting our environment. Half of the grant recipients are new partners to Barancik Foundation and a third are minority-led nonprofits.

“This year has called for sustained action to strengthen our most vulnerable systems and the people they help,” says Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Barancik Foundation. “Humanitarian efforts are being pushed to their limit. Yet, we are hopeful that positives will emerge as we all reimagine ways to serve our community.”

Reinforcing Health and Human Service Agencies

Overlapping crises have laid bare deeply rooted problems with our health care, educational and human service systems. Grants totaling $1,568,973 have been awarded to strengthen our partners who are providing direct support to children and families and building the resilience of our community.

Grantees include: Centerstone, The Twig Cares, Forty Carrots Family Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Learning Independence for Tomorrow Academy, and My Warrior’s Place.

Building Equity and Inclusion

The reality of inequity for Black and Latinx families calls for action. $478,640 in funding has been granted to build the capacity of organizations led by people of color and meet the needs of our region’s most vulnerable students. Funds will also expand efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

Grantees include: SOAR Learning Center, Links to Success, Laurel Civic Association, Second Chance Last Opportunity, and Sarasota Art Museum.

Environmental Stewardship

We cannot be shortsighted; our climate is still in danger. A $140,000 grant was awarded to Partners for Green Places to fund the Solar Loan Impact Program, providing opportunities for nonprofit organizations to make the switch to renewable energy. $30,000 in funding was provided to Sunshine Community Compost to cover operating and start-up costs as they build a viable model for composting in Sarasota County.

COVID-19 Response

Barancik Foundation continues to partner with Gulf Coast Community Foundation in identifying immediate nonprofit needs and fulfilling critical funding gaps through the COVID-19 Response Initiative. An additional$400,000 was granted to meet the growing needs and requests. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities can request funds at https://www.gulfcoastcf.org/covid-19-grant-requests.

Annual Commitments 

Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors have also authorized staff to provide flexibility to repurpose existing grant agreements, modify or waive reporting deadlines, and fast-track sponsorship commitments for current nonprofit partners. An extra $94,500 was granted to arts and cultural organizations to support their fundraising activities this year.