Community Foundation of Sarasota County Raises Nearly $9 Million for Disaster Response

December 18, 2024 | Sarasota

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has so far raised nearly $9 million in eight weeks, after the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton capped off a hurricane season marked by three named storms in rapid succession that devastated the region.

Of the current total, $4.9 million has been raised for the Season of Sharing campaign, the time-tested and trusted community safety net that helps individuals and families recover from economic crises. An additional $3.8 million has been donated to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund for long-term recovery, which supports nonprofit organizations addressing community needs long after an initial disaster occurs. While the number of dollars raised is promising, the unprecedented need experienced by the community threatens to outpace available resources.

“Our community has yet again stepped up to help neighbors in need,” said Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “This generosity is creating hope in a time of deep devastation for so many families living here, and it’s clear that it will be a long path back to ‘normal’ for many. We are heartened by our community’s caring spirit and are grateful for the charitable givers who have already donated, along with those planning to include this worthy cause in their year-end giving. For the strength of our entire community, now and in the future, it is critical that short- and long-term disaster funding remain available to meet the need. Now is the time to act to avoid rippling calamities.” 

All gifts to Season of Sharing donated by Jan. 31, 2025, will be eligible for The Patterson Foundation’s match. The Patterson Foundation contributes $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community, a meaningful incentive that amplifies impact, which is key to responding to this unprecedented need. In a typical year, all dollars raised beginning Feb. 1 are reserved for the following year’s distribution. This year, already $1 million has been moved to respond to the immediate aftermath of the storms. In November, more than $940,000 was awarded to 570 households through Season of Sharing, with the hurricanes being cited as the cause of need in almost 90 percent of cases.

For both the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund and Season of Sharing, this year kicked off with large gifts from generous donors, including The Patterson Foundation, the Baltimore Orioles, the Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation, Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., and the Bishop-Parker Foundation. Still, the grassroots concept of Season of Sharing is fully intact, with one-third of all donations received being less than $100, often accompanied by a note reading something along the lines of: “I wish I could give more.”

At the same time, the Community Foundation granted $650,000 dollars in November and December to support 21 human services organizations with emergency capital needs so they could resume their vital work with vulnerable populations. For many, damage from the storms threatened their ability to serve their clients, and this funding enabled them to return to providing pre-storm services.

“We learned a lot with Ian and are fortunate this time around to have reserved a small portion of our disaster recovery funds so that we can grant capital needs dollars to restore services,” said Kirsten Russell, Vice President of Community Impact at the foundation. “We also know from experience that needs will emerge over time that must be addressed in an ongoing manner. Recovery is a long journey.”

With 66 percent of disaster response charitable giving typically invested in short-term relief efforts, like temporary housing and the provision of food and water, the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is unique. Dollars in the fund are key to making communities whole again long after immediate needs have been addressed. The foundation is still making grants to support needs that remain from Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in 2022, even as it prepares to fund recovery for the recent spate of storms.

Established in 2000 to help families rebound from financial setbacks, over time Season of Sharing has raised more than $42.5 million to distribute to more than 50,000 individuals and households. Season of Sharing gifts support mortgage/rent, transportation needs or repairs, childcare and utilities. Those in need can contact 2-1-1 to request support through a case worker.

With hurricanes heightening the need, the past month has seen a deluge of requests for support. 

“There is such a deep love for our community that is unique. It seems that everyone who got through this hurricane season unscathed feels compelled to do something for the many who lost so much. This is remarkable, and such a testimony for how much we all love our community.” Jerde said.

Although there has been a dramatic increase in need because of storm damage, for 25 years Season of Sharing has provided support to individuals and families in economic crisis, regardless of the reason, from community-wide upheavals to personal emergencies.

Florida’s gulf coast faced historic damage from wind, storm surge, and flash flooding from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, causing widespread disruptions to a region still recovering from Hurricane Ian.