Over $2 Million in Hurricane Relief Provided to More Than 50 Nonprofits

December 14, 2022 – Venice

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has now provided over fifty nonprofit organizations with transformational assistance post-Hurricane Ian, totaling over $2 million dollars. Over fifty grants have been awarded from Gulf Coast’s initiative thanks to generous donor’s contributions and Gulf Coast’s match to provide life-sustaining support after the devastating storm.
“Our team has been diligently working around the clock to assist our region as it recovers from this monstrous storm. We are grateful to work with such inspirational and resilient nonprofit partners who utilize the initiative’s funding to provide opportunities for all. We have reached over 50 nonprofit organizations with funding and our commitment will be steadfast into the future,” said President|CEO Mark Pritchett of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
Recent grants from Gulf Coast’s initiative include:
· Venice Theatre: The performing arts theater received $200,000 to sustain their staff and operations as they recover from Hurricane Ian. Their distinctive building in downtown Venice is inoperable and they are working rigorously to develop a plan to rebuild.
· Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties, Inc.: The organization received $230,000 for ongoing efforts to rebuild the destroyed Gene Matthews Club in North Port.
· When All Else Fails: The North Port-based organization received a $5,000 grant for housing repairs and basic needs of North Port residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.
· Gulf Coast Partnership: The organization received a $15,000 grant to build their capacity to respond to individual requests for basic needs and to coordinate volunteers in Charlotte County.
· Veterans Outreach: The nonprofit received a $10,000 grant to assist veterans impacted by the hurricane. They are a long-standing national model who provide financial assistance and serve veterans in need in the Sarasota area.
· United Cajun Navy: A $20,000 grant was awarded to an all-volunteer group of veterans and individuals from Louisiana committed to helping neighborhoods recover. The grant will help the boots-on-the-ground organization meet the humanitarian needs (search and rescue operations, debris removal, and more) resulting from Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida.
· MEANS Database: The nonprofit was awarded a $10,000 grant to recover food in Charlotte, Lee, and DeSoto counties that would be wasted and distribute it to food pantries to assist communities impacted by the hurricane.

The impact of the Hurricane Ian Relief Fund is also made possible by gifts that came in from people and organizations across the United States, as far west as Oregon and north to Atlanta, Georgia. They heard the call for help and reached out to Gulf Coast as a trusted partner.
The Atlanta Braves Foundation partnered with Gulf Coast to provide a $20,000 grant to Florida Center for Early Childhood to assist families at their Starfish Academy in North Port impacted by Hurricane Ian. “The unfortunate impact of Hurricane Ian effected a lot of Southwest Florida. The Atlanta Braves Foundation is proud to help support recovery in North Port and Sarasota County through Gulf Coast Community Foundation,” said Michael Dunn, Vice President, Florida Operations for the Atlanta Braves.
Together with the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Gulf Coast awarded a $25,000 grant to First Step of Sarasota to assist staff and clients in recovery, as well as a $25,000 grant to Premier Mobile Health Services to support clients in Lee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties impacted by Hurricane Ian.
With continuing generosity from our community, additional support will be provided. The transformative Hurricane Ian recovery from Gulf Coast Community Foundation will be ongoing for many months to come.