Photo caption: The Loveland Center in Venice will have new HVAC systems for its residents with a $100,000 grant from the Selby Foundation
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation’s board of directors has approved capital grants totaling $648,376 for 20 nonprofit organizations serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
“Nonprofits continue to tell us it can be challenging to find funds for capital,” said Susie Bowie, Selby Foundation President and CEO.
“These grants span the range of providing tools that will bring theater productions to life to machines that can help save human life. We make sure local nonprofit staff and volunteers have what they need to put the magic in their missions.”
Funds will support a diversity of investments including musical instruments, lighting and sound equipment for arts organizations; technology systems to support mental health services, civic engagement, and job training; medical devices for stroke patients at a small rural hospital; climate control for housing units serving people with disabilities and low-income families; and physical and cyber safety features for youth-serving organizations. Organizations receiving funds include:
Arts and Culture
- Rise Above Performing Arts – $31,285 for additional lighting and a new sound board enhancing youth theatre experiences
- Sarasota Opera Association – $50,000 towards new pianos to enhance performances and rehearsals
Education and Youth
- Forty Carrots of Sarasota – $30,000 to replace fencing around its early learning center
- Truly Valued – $10,210 for iPads to supplement learning in a new summer youth program
- Venice Youth Boating – $50,000 to provide a floating dock and site features for boating activities
Employment
- CareerSource Suncoast – $21,871 for new signage and technology for in-person and virtual employment trainings and partner meetings
Civic Engagement & Community Improvement
- Realize Bradenton – $20,276 for an AI-powered program to build engagement in downtown Bradenton
- United Way of South Sarasota County – $25,000 toward a box truck for continued hurricane recovery efforts
Health & Human Services
- Community Supported and Assisted Living (CASL) – $37,504 for AI-based software supporting efficiency of counseling service delivery
- DeSoto Memorial Hospital – $49,489 for stretchers and an EEG machine for stroke and seizure patients
- Family Promise of South Sarasota County – $63,075 to replace HVAC units at housing for families engaged in self-sufficiency programs
- Foundation for Dreams – $50,000 toward renovation of its camp providing results-based experiences for children with disabilities
- Loveland Center – $100,000 towards HVAC units for the Venice housing campus serving adults with disabilities
- Salvation Army of Manatee County – $50,000 for new washer/dryers for unhoused residents and toward new kitchen equipment
In addition, the following “Small and Mighty Grants,” were awarded to nonprofits with budgets of $300,000 or less:
- Bring on the Ministry – $3,939 to updates needed on a mobile shower trailer for unhoused people in Manatee County
- Hope DeSoto Long Term Recovery – $16,100 for items required for hurricane relief and recovery
- Fabulous Arts Foundation – $8,136 for case management and cybersecurity software to support mental health services
- Manasota ASALH – $3,000 for technology to support the executive director
- Sarasota Children’s Museum – $15,000 for design of a mobile STEAM learning lab for youth
- Sarasota Music Conservatory – $13,491 to soundproof studio spaces and purchase an interactive board for student training
The Selby Foundation is the legacy of Bill and Marie Selby, two caring people who lived modest and humble lives and dedicated their legacy to helping others access opportunity. Susie Bowie is President/CEO. Susan Hines is Board Chair.