COMMUNITY BRIEF

The Franklin G. Berlin Foundation, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, has approved $188,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. The grants will support:

● $30,000 to Mote Marine Laboratory, which strives to advance marine and environmental scientific research, education and public outreach, with a goal of revitalization and sustainability of oceanic resources. Grant funding will go toward Mote SEA (Science Education Aquarium), a new Mote Marine site at Nathan Benderson Park offering education for diverse learners, through immersive lessons and innovative programs. This is the final grant of cumulative giving from the Franklin G. Berlin Foundation to Mote totaling $100,000.

● $48,000 to The Bay Park Conservancy, which operates a 53-acre public park with recreational and educational programs available to all, free of charge.

● $25,000 to Harvest House, which provides supportive and affordable housing, addiction recovery programs, and food security, all in the name of championing hope and transforming lives.

● $75,000 was directed to the Community Foundation’s Season of Sharing donation campaign, which for almost 24 years has provided a vital community safety net that has helped families avoid homelessness through receiving one-time payments that cover rent, mortgage, auto repairs, childcare, or utility bills when circumstances make those payments otherwise unachievable.

The funding will support families living at the economic edge in the region, whether in direct human services or in nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit CFSarasota.org.