Skip links

Paychex Founder Awards $85 Million in Major Gifts to Southwest Florida Nonprofits

Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano

Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano




Paychex founder Tom Golisano recently announced a second series of major gifts totaling $85 million to 41 nonprofit organizations across Southwest Florida, including Easterseals Southwest Florida, The Haven, American Red Cross of Southwest Florida, Animal Rescue Coalition, Anna Maria Island Pup Rescue, Humane Society of Sarasota County, Humane Society of Manatee County and Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.

Scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and its partners were recently awarded a four-year, $16 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to lead a program to implement and scale-up new approaches to increase the climate resilience of Florida’s restored coral reefs. The collaborative effort is designed to translate new research into transformative restoration action and will unite the University of Miami with 10 other South Florida partners, including Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory.

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recently approved $3.2 million in grants. The funding includes investments to expand access to quality early learning for vulnerable children; strengthening programs that help women who are struggling on the edge of poverty achieve financial stability for themselves and their families; and enhancing environmental resiliency and improving water quality along Sarasota’s bayfront. The foundation’s fall round of grant awards brings its total grantmaking this year to more than $27.5 million.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County recently awarded $35,000 to Forty Carrots Family Center to provide at-risk families with evidence-based Circle of Security (COS) Parenting Education groups, which support building secure attachments between parents and children.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Opportunities For All program recently announced the recipients of its 2024 Business Assistance Funds Program, designed to empower minority-owned small businesses and non-profit organizations. The grantees are Fashion and Beauty BoutiqueFlourishing, Greatness Beyond Measure, Inc., Humble Hearts Caregivers, JD Wms Diversity Group, Kinsey5Media, Little Medical School Suncoast, New College Child Center, One Head At A Time, Inc., Party Popping Events, LLC, Phatheadz Barbershop, SailorGirl Transport LLC and The Bradenton Gladiators Football Inc.

The Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the implementation of a cutting-edge Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool to enhance operational efficiency and community engagement.

The New College of Florida Foundation raised approximately $500,000 at its 45th annual clambake in November. Funds will support New College students, faculty and staff.

The Manatee Literacy Council has been awarded an $80,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation. The funding will directly support the salaries of the council’s staff.

FoodRecovery.org has been awarded a $25,900 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to help launch The Fairness Project, an initiative designed to address food insecurity and ensure equitable food distribution in Manatee and Orange counties.

Neal Communities recently made a $10,000 donation to Sisters Sowing Seeds as part of its Plan for Giving, which supports causes that are important to Neal Communities staff.

Florida Studio Theatre recently received a $3,200 grant from the Junior League of Sarasota to support its Gateway Program at CreArte Latino.

Education advocates Joe and Mary Kay Henson announced that they have donated more than $1 million through The Henson Fund to help fund multiple educational and affordable housing initiatives throughout Sarasota County in 2024.

Resurrection House, Inc. has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Harry Sudakoff Foundation to fund its “Floor No More” program.

Leave a comment

This website uses cookies to improve your web experience.
Explore
Drag