Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust Extends Its Matching Challenge For Not-For-Profit Agencies Across The Suncoast

September 18 – Sarasota: Since launching its 2020 Flanzer Contribution Matching Program in January, the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust has enabled 94 nonprofit organizations across Sarasota and the Suncoast area to continue fulfilling their missions by matching more than $700,000 from approximately 3,000 individual contributors.While this significant accomplishment has allowed agencies to serve their clients through this dire time, the Flanzer Trust is committed to help our neighbors in need get back on track and access critical resources.

Now, more than ever, individuals across Sarasota and the Suncoast area can make a significant impact on the lives of local families who have endured life-changing hardships throughout the pandemic from food insecurity to job loss. All donations between $5 and $500 will be matched 1:1 for select nonprofit agencies in the social service, social welfare, K-12 education and healthcare sectors.

“We are thrilled that the matching program has been so successfully embraced by the community,” said Eric Kaplan, co-trustee of the Flanzer Trust. “Our goal has been to engage individuals with the great agencies who provide important services to the people of Sarasota. Three-thousand individuals and families have helped enhance the quality of life for themselves and their neighbors. We’re proud of them and the program that made it possible.”

Individuals who wish to participate in the 2020 Flanzer Contribution Matching Program can visit FlanzerTrust.org to make an online donation through PayPal. Donors can also send checks payable to the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust to its offices at 1843 Floyd Street, Sarasota, FL 34239. The Flanzer Trust encourages people to make automatic monthly contributions of $20 or more.

“2020 has been a difficult year for Sarasota and the Suncoast. The level of contributions has been steady from the inception of the program and continues,” said Dr. R. Dean Hautamaki, co-trustee of the Flanzer Trust. “This spring and summer we experienced a spike in COVID-19 that deeply affected the community. While important therapies have reduced mortality rates, the human cost from lost income, increased costs and financial insecurity continues and we will do our part to help the community through these tough times. Many of our partner agencies have seen significant revenue losses due to COVID-19 restrictions. We feel that it’s imperative for us to extend the Flanzer Contribution Matching Program and removing the $500,000 cap on the total amount we will match.”

Once an individual’s donation has been processed, the Flanzer Trust will send the contribution and the associated matching funds to the designated partner agency. The Flanzer Trust will also absorb 100 percent of the program with no charge or reduction in any contribution. For more information, visit FlanzerTrust.org or call 917-915-0404.