Mapping the Story of Our Community

Since 2009, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has conducted a Regional Scan every few years to better understand the challenges and opportunities shaping our region. What began as an internal tool to guide philanthropic investments has grown into a roadmap for community-wide impact.

Over the years, these scans have highlighted urgent priorities and inspired bold initiatives. Protecting our natural environment emerged as a priority in the very first Scan and has appeared as a priority in each one since. Affordable housing, mental health, and civility were raised in 2017, leading to efforts like the Because It Matters initiative. In 2019, workforce housing and mental health were again identified as critical regional needs. Each Scan has informed millions of dollars in philanthropic investments and helped launch initiatives that continue to strengthen our community today.

This year, we are taking the Scan even further. Launching at the end of September, the 2025 Regional Scan will be transformed into a Community Playbook, a resource designed not only for Gulf Coast, but for everyone. Like the Water Quality Playbook and Sarasota Housing Action Plan, it will be accessible, practical, and valuable for nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and residents alike.

For it to truly reflect the heart of our region, we need your voice. From the northern border of Sarasota to the southern border of Charlotte County to the farmlands of eastern DeSoto County, we need to hear from you. Whether you are a parent, student, retiree, employee, neighbor, volunteer, or nonprofit leader, your perspective matters. When you receive the survey, in your inbox or forwarded from a friend or colleague, we encourage you to take just five minutes to complete it and then share it widely. Every response helps us capture the full story of our community.

We are deeply grateful to all the partners who have participated in past Regional Scans and to those helping to shape the 2025 Scan. Your insights and collaboration have guided this work from the beginning and continue to make it stronger.

The findings will be shared in early 2026. With your voice, the Community Playbook will not only highlight the challenges we face but also lift up the aspirations we share, helping us create lasting change, together. From listening comes understanding. From understanding comes the power to act boldly, collaboratively, and with lasting impact. We are committed to acting on what we learn so that together, we can continue building a region that thrives not just today but forever.