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 650 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
Investing in the arts paints a brighter future for our region.
Our Impact
STEM Smarts
Our STEMsmart initiative transformed 160 local middle-school science and math classrooms into technology-rich, collaboration-ready learning environments. Now we’re doing the same for language arts and social studies.
Learn More
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.
Skills + Jobs = Growth
CareerEdge Funders has trained thousands of workers in our region to fill skilled jobs that area employers need to grow—to the tune of nearly $25 million in wage increases so far.
Feeding Hungry Families
Together with our donors, we partnered with All Faiths Food Bank to transform our region’s hunger-relief system
Once Homeless, Now Thriving
Thirteen local families that had been homeless in recent years are now well on their way to self-sufficiency. The group was the first to graduate from our Financial Sustainability Initiative, an innovative program we launched last year with United Way Suncoast. Dozens of other families are now working through the initiative, which shows great promise as a tool to curb generational poverty.