It’s hard to believe that it’s already that time of year again – the time to think about which charity or corporate giving program your business will donate to this holiday season. Instead of picking something last minute, we’ve created a guide for you of local Sarasota based non-profit organizations and charities. (If we happened to miss any local organizations that you know of – be sure to update us in the comment section!) While making your decision, keep the following tips in mind.
It’s important to pick a charity that you have an emotional connection with: i.e. one that aligns with your company’s mission statement. Also consider what is important to your employees so that they can feel involved and responsive to holiday giving.
Determine the criteria for the potential charity: size, age of the organization, whether the charity or nonprofit works locally (or nationally) and etc.
Compare company values and mission statements: Choose charities and/or nonprofits whose mission statements align with your company’s values. This will ensure that you will be working together toward a common goal.
Make sure organizations meet the criteria for tax-exempt organizations. GuideStar.org is a great resource for determining legitimacy and accountability. (Faith-based non-profits not listed with these resources may still be legitimate.)
Trustworthy non-profits will discuss their program and financial goals. Don’t fall to pressure tactics for those seeking funding, especially if they are unwilling to share their side of the story.
Test out your partnership: Test your partnership by donating to a small project before doing a large campaign. Check for integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness. You will get a sense of how well your organizations work together without the large commitment up front. Donating to a charity or nonprofit is a fulfilling way to further the mission of your company while helping to strengthen the community. Use these tips next time you embark on a campaign for a nonprofit and you’ll surely come out ahead. See below for a list of local nonprofits and charity organizations in Sarasota that we recommend taking a look at!
ALSO Out Youth ALSO Out Youth strives to end all forms of violence, harassment and discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. ALSO Out Youth provides many direct services, including peer support services, social activities, educational programs and workshops, advocacy, and referrals for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning youth ages 13 to 21, their families and friends, and the community. To learn more about ways to donate, visit their website at http://www.alsoyouth.org/
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast For more than 43 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18. Big Brothers Big Sisters develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. To learn more about your business can get involved or to donate, visit http://www.bbbssun.org
Boys and Girls Clubs Manatee and Sarasota The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County (BGCSC) provide after-school and summer programs for more than 5,500 children and youth ages 6-18 with Clubs spread strategically throughout Sarasota County. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about your business can get involved or to donate, visit http://www.boysandgirlsclubs.com/
Camp Wingmann, Inc. Camp Wingmann is the site for the Summer Church Camp program for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, the center for Diocesan youth activities and a beautiful year round youth retreat center for all types of groups. To learn more about your business can get involved or to donate, visit http://www.campwingmann.org/
Child Protection Center The Child Protection Center addresses the issue of child abuse, and provides prevention services, intervention and treatment. The Child Protection Center’s unique, comprehensive continuum of services developed over the more than thirty year history of the organization. The Child Protection Team and Medical staff are on-call 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. CPC serves residents from Sarasota and DeSoto counties. To learn more, visit http://www.cpcsarasota.org/
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County For over 30 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been making the important connection between individuals’ personal memories, passions, dreams and the fulfillment of their charitable goals. To learn more, visit https://www.cfsarasota.org/
Forty Carrots Guided by the belief that the family is the foundation of our society, Forty Carrots Family Center is a nonprofit organization located in Sarasota, Florida dedicated to strengthening families through educational programs for parents, children, and professionals in the field. Learn more at http://www.fortycarrots.com/
Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County is a local affiliate of a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Girls Inc. fulfills its mission of empowering girls aged five and up to be self-confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals by delivering research-based, age-appropriate, after-school and summer educational and sports programs designed specifically for girls. To learn more, visit http://www.girlsincsrq.org/
Goodwill Goodwill offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges. Learn more at http://www.goodwill.org
Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Inc. was founded in 1985. The founders believed that decent housing was the most important need in this community. Habitat’s Mission is “to partner with God and community to provide decent affordable housing for people in need so that they may build better lives for their families.” Learn more at http://www.habitatsrq.org/
The Humane Society of Sarasota County The Humane Society of Sarasota County relies on community funding to pursue its mission of promoting responsible pet ownership and securing permanent homes for all adoptable animals. HSSC provides abandoned pets with compassionate care and shelter, offers pet adoptions, humane education, affordable spay/neuter services, and programs for children, seniors and those with special needs. To learn more, visit http://hssc.org/
Jewish Family and Children Services JFCS offers a helping hand and never turns clients away because they are unable to pay for services. Through comprehensive counseling, the agency empowers individuals by helping them identify their challenges and make life-altering changes to improve the quality of their lives. JFCS promotes self-sufficiency and provides people with the resources and internal tools to make positive choices and changes. To learn more, visit http://www.jfcs-cares.org/
Junior League of Manatee The Junior League of Manatee County (JLMC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. To learn more, visit http://www.jrleaguemanatee.org
Kimberly Patterson Leukemia Foundation Kim’s Fund was created to support ground-breaking research that will one day rid the world of leukemia. Formed in 2000 in memory of Kim and in celebration of the progress made toward fulfilling her dream to see a world without cancer, the goal of Kim’s Fund is to reach $1 million raised for leukemia and other cancer research and for assistance of needy patients undergoing treatment for leukemia. To learn more, visit http://www.kimsfund.org
MOTE Marine Laboratory Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages. To learn more, visit http://www.mote.org
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc. (PPSWCF) is a nonprofit family planning organization serving the St. Petersburg and Sarasota region of Florida since 1966. Dedicated to delivering the highest quality healthcare services for men, women, and teens, including gynecological exams, cervical cancer screenings, and STD testing, Planned Parenthood is also committed to providing comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate sexuality education. To learn more, visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppswcf/
Prader-Willi Association Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) is an organization of families and professionals working together to raise awareness, offer support, provide education and advocacy, and promote and fund research to enhance the quality of life of those affected by Prader-Willi syndrome. Learn more at http://www.pwsausa.org
Salvation Army Each day of the year The Salvation Army meets basic human needs by providing food, shelter and financial assistance to those in need. Each client is counseled by caring professionals who seek permanent answers to their crisis. To learn more, visit http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_sarasota.nsf
Sarasota County Civic League The Sarasota County Civic League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement and inclusive forms of community building and problem solving. They provide information and models on local government organization and practice. For more information, visit http://www.sarasotacivicleague.org
Sarasota County Film & Entertainment The Sarasota County Film & Entertainment office seeks to diversify and enrich Sarasota County’s economic development by attracting and serving motion pictures, television, commercials, music, still photography and all other forms of media production, while promoting and serving the people, locations, products, services, businesses and other assets throughout Sarasota County, thereby also enhancing tourism, prosperity and quality of life throughout our 570 square mile region. To learn more, visit http://www.filmsarasota.com/
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County The EDC of Sarasota’s mission is to grow, diversify and sustain the economy of Sarasota County while enhancing our unique natural and cultural environment. To learn more, visit http://www.edcsarasotacounty.com/
Sarasota Housing Authority The mission of the Sarasota Housing Authority is to provide safe, sanitary and decent affordable housing options and promote self-sufficiency to qualifying families. Sarasota Housing Authority is committed to serving in a manner that demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, respect, and caring. To learn more, visit http://www.sarasotahousing.org/
Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County is a community that strengthens families and nurtures the learning potential of every child. They integrate leadership and community resources to promote high quality early education and family support. Learn more at http://www.earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.org.
SCORE Foundation The SCORE Foundation serves as the philanthropic support arm of SCORE; assisting in raising those vital funds to extend SCORE’s counseling and training across America. Learn more at http://www.scorefoundation.org/
South County Family YMCA For more than 25 years the YMCA has provided safe and caring environments, positive role models, imaginative activities and creative opportunities to serve the needs of others. These are the essential building blocks for strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Learn more at http://www.veniceymca.com/ Southeastern Guide Dogs Southeastern Guide Dogs create partnerships between a visually impaired individuals and guide dogs, facilitating life’s journey with mobility, independence and dignity. Learn more at http://www.guidedogs.org
Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in 2005. Their mission is to prevent and reduce homelessness through collaborating with civic leaders and provider agencies, promoting community engagement and awareness, and advocating on behalf of homeless people and their service providers. Learn more at http://www.suncoastpartnership.com/
Shelterbox USA Shelterbox USA responds instantly following natural and other disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who need it most. Relief teams are sent to all corners of the globe to help distribute aid boxes to those in need. Learn more at: http://www.shelterboxusa.org
Take Stock in Children Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for low-income and at-risk students, many from minority families, to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Learn more at http://www.takestocksarasota.org/
We Care Manatee The Mission of We Care Manatee, Inc. is to promote and facilitate the provision of free specialty and primary medical care to low-income, uninsured residents of Manatee County, Florida. Learn more at http://www.wecaremanatee.org/
Women’s Resource Center of Tampa The Women’s Resource Center of Tampa provides individualized services to families, single parents, individuals, elderly, disabled, veterans and the homeless. Learn more at http://www.wrctampa.org
Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota The Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota provides personal, social, and professional growth opportunities for all women by providing women with strategies for living that strengthen themselves, their families, and their communities. Learn more at http://www.thewomensresourcecenter.org/
