With a $37,920 investment from the Selby Foundation, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay has mobilized its DeSoto-based team more efficiently to reach clients with homes in desperate need of repairs, rehabs, and disaster recovery services in the wake of hurricanes and other storms. The new vehicle transports supplies, tools, hurricane kits and helps the team conduct home assessments and projects with greater ease across DeSoto County. The support has further empowered RTTB’s staff to keep neighbors in need housed in safe, healthy, habitable, and affordable homes for years to come.

Reflections of Manatee is a museum in Bradenton that provides educational exhibits sharing the stories of Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Florida. The Selby Foundation’s investment in new walkways has made the buildings more accessible to the nearby park and easier for visitors to navigate while learning about the history of people in our region. Learn more about the museum and visit!

For the 85 children with disabilities who attend Easterseals of SW Florida’s Lily School for Child Development--and their parents and caregivers–dedicated staff and excellent programming are a light every day. The Selby Foundation’s $50,000 investment supported new paint, new ceiling tiles, and sensory-friendly classroom lighting. Staff and teachers worked together to ensure as little disruption as possible for preschool students during the renovation, and the improvements will keep the facility clean, bright, safe, and operational for years to come.

What’s happening in our region with arts and culture? The Selby Foundation’s grant of $25,000 help to redesign a new, engaging website for the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Spotlighting theatre, dance, visual art, teaching artists and much more, the site helps residents and visitors navigate the incredible choices to get involved in and enjoy the arts in our area. Take it for a spin at SarasotaArts.org.

The Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda honors veterans from all branches and eras of U.S. military service and helps the public better understand the contributions and experiences of American servicemen and women through authentic artifacts and individual stories. With a Selby Foundation investment of $21,653, the Museum purchased a cyclorama, multi-media wall, and other equipment to improve the visitor experience. Visit in person Tuesday- Saturday. Hours and info here.

Meals for children feed the brain, the body, and the future. StepUp Suncoast uses a whole-family approach to move people out of poverty, with programs ranging from early childhood education to energy assistance to income tax preparation. A $100,000 investment from the Selby Foundation is providing capping funds for a large project to update the organization’s commercial kitchen where 750 meals are prepared twice per day for children in Head Start programs.

The Friends of Myakka River State Park works to support the mission and goals of one of the largest and oldest Florida state parks. What a gift to have Myakka River State Park in our region! With many visitors, young and old, the park needed a way to share environmental and conservation education with guests in different locations. Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Selby Foundation, the Friends group was well on its way to purchasing a new pop up trailer for rangers and volunteers just for this purpose.

With a beautiful 84 acre site providing free and confidential programs for survivors of abuse, first responders, and helping professionals, Resilient Retreat needed new equipment to take care of the property. Imagine the work that goes into making such a site a place of peace and respite! A $50,000 grant from the Selby Foundation helped to purchase a tractor for maintenance, cost-reduction, and clean up after storms.

The Margwine Organization (Flourishing) helps young girls reach their full potential. The Selby Foundation invested $10,000 to purchase an air conditioning unit for their first space. This is where girls receive valuable mentorship, learn new skills, and connect with each other. It’s also a space where other nonprofit and community partners can gather. Let’s make the most of this building in programs that build strength all around!