BECAUSE IT MATTERS
Civility is the foundation of community. That’s why Gulf Coast has reimagined and reintroduced this regional initiative to increase civic participation, civil discourse, and social capital.
A GULF COAST FAMILY
More than 750 individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have made Gulf Coast their philanthropic home.
BOLD AND PROACTIVE
At Gulf Coast, we push the outer edges of the envelope to redefine the role of a community foundation and the potential of philanthropy.
GULF COAST STRONG
Record totals in new gifts and grants last year translate into a safe harbor for tomorrow. Learn more about our philanthropic stewardship.
Our Initiatives
Gulf Coast creates and funds data-driven initiatives to address our region’s most pressing challenges.
Click on an area below to see how we are transforming our community.
Civic & Economic Development
We are committed to moving our region toward an innovation-based economy.
Health & Human Services
A critical measure of our region is how well we care for our own.
Education
Preparing the workforce of tomorrow starts in the classroom today.
Arts & Culture
Investing in the arts paints a brighter future for our region.
Our Impact
21st Century Classrooms
Our community invested $18 million over eight years into technology-enhanced education, making our school district a model for the country and forever changing the way our teachers teach and students learn.
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Confidence for Aspiring Readers
Our nationally recognized implementation of Reading Recovery is changing the trajectory for struggling first-grade readers in Sarasota County. It is also benefitting entire schools in the process.
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Havens for the Homeless
With Gulf Coast leadership and funding, our community has strengthened the safety net for homeless students and their families. Next we are adding critical services to ensure that these families, once stabilized, can thrive.
Feeding Hungry Families
Together with our donors, we partnered with All Faiths Food Bank to transform our region’s hunger-relief system
Latest News
Reading Recovery Students Sustain Gains
The Reading Recovery initiative in Sarasota County Schools continues to show exceptional results in lifting first-grade students who struggle the most with reading and writing.
25 Graduate from GCLI
Twenty-five aspiring and experienced leaders from across our region recently completed our Gulf Coast Leadership Institute. This group joins a network of 300 action-oriented community leaders who have participated in this comprehensive leadership training and are now using their new schools to improve our communities.