Amplifying Efforts to Create Lasting Impact

Thriving communities don’t happen by accident; they are built through vision, investment, and collaboration. At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), our mission extends across a region as varied as it is vibrant. While Sarasota County often shines in the spotlight, our neighbors in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties face unique challenges that deserve comparable attention. These communities, along with Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, and Boca Grande, form a broad and interconnected region, one where the well-being of each part strengthens the whole.

Communities like DeSoto and Charlotte Counties are rich with resilience, deep connections, and a strong sense of identity. Local leaders, nonprofits, and residents have been working for years to address challenges such as access to healthcare, food security, and workforce development. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with leaders in both counties to amplify their efforts and create lasting impact. If we are truly committed to building a stronger region, we must ensure these areas are not only included in our vision but are also at the forefront of our strategic investments.

Last year, we launched an ambitious three-year strategic plan with a bold objective: to grow and leverage our philanthropic resources to maximize the most impactful opportunities for our region. This includes a focus on DeSoto and Charlotte counties, ensuring their unique needs and opportunities are part of our shared vision. One way we are achieving this is by aligning resources with donors and partners, combining funding, expertise, and relationships to deliver greater impact where it’s needed most.

One example of this strategic vision in action is Impact Now!, an innovative collaboration between Gulf Coast and the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation. Designed to address urgent needs in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, the initiative invests in projects identified by the communities themselves, ensuring solutions are locally driven and widely supported. By combining our resources, expertise, and relationships, we can help accelerate solutions already in motion and support local leaders and organizations as they work toward lasting change.

Impact Now! builds on Gulf Coast’s strong history of collaborating closely with donors and fellow foundations to strengthen our region. Most recently, Gulf Coast, together with two donor families, awarded a grant to Links2Success to help secure a permanent home for their Family Empowerment Center in the heart of Arcadia. The center will bring critical resources together under one roof, expand partnerships to improve service delivery, and address the root causes of instability through education and empowerment. This investment reflects the findings of recent community conversations, hosted by the Harwood Institute and our friends at The Patterson Foundation, which highlighted the urgent need for accessible, consolidated support services. This collaborative effort demonstrates how targeted philanthropy can create transformative, long-term impact.

As our region grows and changes, it is essential that we ensure every community we serve has a seat at the table. At Gulf Coast, our team, board, and donors are committed to ensuring residents from urban centers to rural areas have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive. Prioritizing investments and partnerships in places like DeSoto and Charlotte Counties means addressing urgent needs while also strengthening the entire region for years to come. Our work is grounded in listening, partnering, and acting with intention because when every part of our region succeeds, we all benefit.