Investing in Resources, Prioritizing Our Residents

The strength of a region lies in its ability to invest in both its infrastructure and individuals simultaneously. At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), our commitment to meaningful collaboration drives our work with both donors and community partners. To serve our region, which includes Charlotte, DeSoto, and Sarasota counties, we engage in proactive, intentional partnerships to supply essential services to under-resourced areas.

An example of this is our work with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida, an organization that supports communities in need through essential home repairs and maintenance. The regional group identified Newtown, one of Sarasota’s most historically significant neighborhoods, as an area that could benefit from these services. Newtown holds the essence of Sarasota’s rich history in its own backyard; it is crucial that it is preserved and celebrated to carry on its legacy for generations to come.

“Gulf Coast prioritizes partnerships with strong, local problem-solvers including Rebuilding Together Greater Florida,” said Jennifer Johnston, Director of Community Leadership for Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Their Newtown project is a powerful example of collaboration. We continue to look to organizations like theirs to provide critical services and catalyze trailblazing investments for long-term positive results.”

The aftermath of the 2024 hurricane season – and the devastation it caused our region – became a key opportunity to maximize our partnership potential. Together, we activated quickly to help Newtown residents clean up, repair and restore their homes following the storms. This included an investment in a new service truck to provide aid to as many families as possible.

As for the results? They speak volumes. Since January 1, 2025, 48 home repairs – provided entirely free to homeowners – have been completed in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. The overall project has benefited 28 households, averaging $24,000 in services rendered per home.

With that spirit of service in mind, the Newtown project reflects the multi-layered partnerships that make this work possible – pairing the on-the-ground expertise of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida with the shared investment of fellow funders. Gulf Coast was proud to join with the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, and Community Foundation of Sarasota County, along with the statewide Sheltering in Home for Recovery Continuation. Together, our collective invested more than $660,000 to improve unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions. By working together, we reinforce the importance of communal harmony and resource sharing to ensure all mission stakeholders are served as holistically as possible.

“Seeing this partnership thrive, especially in the wake of last year’s devastating hurricanes, underscores Gulf Coast’s unwavering commitment to safe and affordable housing,” said Phillip Lanham, President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Strong communities begin with strong homes, and this collaboration ensures families can build lasting health, safety, and stability for generations to come.”

Together with our community partners and other key collaborators, we have been able to rally around one of our most treasured community assets: its people. By investing in the resources and services needed for safe, healthy housing, we continue to prioritize our residents and their quality of life as we all contribute to the overall strength of our region.