Gulf Coast Community Foundation provides 18 grants through Rapid Response Fund
November 25, 2024
Gulf Coast Community Foundation provides 18 grants through Rapid Response Fund, Herald-Tribune
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund has provided 18 grants totaling over $500,000 to support boots-on-the-ground nonprofits that provide shelter, food and water, case managers and case navigators, mental health services, and humanitarian aid to assist Sarasota-Manatee residents impacted by the recent hurricanes.
“Our team began preparations the week before Hurricane Milton’s arrival, and our board met to pre-authorize additional funding for our Rapid Response Fund,” Gulf Coast CEO Phillip Lanham said. “Because of this steadfast dedication, the first grant from our Rapid Response Fund was awarded to United Way of South Sarasota County seven hours before Hurricane Milton’s landfall.”
Grants from Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund include:
· United Way of South Sarasota County to procure gift cards for gasoline and groceries, secure tools, PPE, and temporary housing.
· Lift Church for basic needs such as hot meals, health and hygiene products, and tarps and tools.
· Second Heart Homes, which experienced significant structural damage at several of their homes for unhoused individuals with mental health conditions.
Better Together,which helps families overcome adversity.
· Awaken Outreach Center to support food, cleanup, and other immediate needs.
· Operation Warrior Resolution to provide assistance and mental health support.
· Sarasota County NAACP to provide food replacement and generators.
· Gulf Coast Partnership to assist the Charlotte County COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) in providing humanitarian assistance.
· Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota to aid clients in purchasing basic baby supplies.
· Second Chance, Last Opportunity for emergency food distribution, case management support, and counseling.
· One More Child to distribute essential supplies to families with children.
· Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County for temporary housing while repairs to homes can be made, food and gas gift cards, and financial support for living expenses.
· Harvest House for safe housing, essential supplies, and wraparound services to families.
· Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. for mental health support and housing.
· EqualSRQ Inc. to provide peer support and services to individuals in recovery.
National organizations have contributed to Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund, including support from Humana Foundation and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi.
Donors interested in contributing to the Rapid Response Fund can visit gulfcoastcf.org/rapidresponsefund.
Florida Disaster Fund grant
Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis recently presented Better Together, a regional nonprofit dedicated to children and families, with $50,000 to aid in the organization’s relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The grant, made possible through the Florida Disaster Fund, supports Better Together’s current mission in Florida’s hardest-hit regions, including Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. Similar efforts took place following Hurricane Ian in 2022 and most recently after Hurricane Helene.
The Disaster Relief Fund cuts through red tape and gets resources to those who are helping,” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “We’re receiving referrals from Hope Florida and the Department of Children and Families, working alongside them to fill in gaps and support families.”
To learn more about Better Together, visit BetterTogetherUS.org/Hurricane-Relief.
Submissions by Rachel Denton and Emily Golden.