Photo: Turning Points is extending its community engagement, supporting students at Manatee County Schools. The organization will receive a $47,252 grant for technology for a pilot program reducing homelessness.
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has approved grants totaling more than $1,016,000 to 17 local nonprofits.
“Each grant represents an investment in a capital project that will create or enhance opportunity for people in our region—including access to healthy food, education, therapy, disaster services, safety, civic engagement, or the arts,” said Susie Bowie, President and CEO of the Selby Foundation.
“Innovating with new technology, ensuring that clients and staff are safe, and making programs accessible to all are a few of the ways these funds will strengthen organizations in their essential work.”
Selected grants for Spring 2026 support nonprofits serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties through technology, vehicles, building enhancements, and equipment.
Human Services:
- American Red Cross – $50,000 toward a new security system for staff and disaster response volunteer safety
- Easterseals of Southwest Florida – $120,000 toward signage, fencing, and interior finishings for its new center for autism
- Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida – $10,614 for updated technology to support program staff
- Harvest House – $105,000 for two generators in community spaces
- Senior Friendship Centers – $120,000 toward outdoor lighting at the Sarasota campus
- Turning Points – $47,252 toward technology supporting a pilot program at Lincoln Middle School preventing homelessness
- Manatee Children’s Services – $33,290 to renovate offices of staff working with children who have experienced abuse
Food Security:
- Meals on Wheels Sarasota – $23,477 for AI-powered software and iPads to aid in medically tailored meal preparation for seniors
- FoodRecovery.org – $50,000 for an app reducing food waste that coordinates logistics between trucks and pantries
Housing:
- Arcadia DeSoto Habitat for Humanity – $67,656 to resurface the ReStore parking lot and modify indoor space for a creative earned income partnership
Arts & Culture:
- Manatee Performing Arts Center – $100,000 toward specialized flooring in the new multipurpose performing arts spaces within Sara’s Studios
- Venice Theatre – $55,000 toward an assistive sound system supporting hearing differences at the new theatre
- WSLR – $37,547 toward a new HVAC system
Youth Services:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties – $81,175 for technology and kitchen items for the Teen Center at the Gene Matthews Club in North Port
- Healthy Teens – $13,029 for staff technology and tablets and virtual reality headsets for students
- Palmetto Youth Center – $63,500 for a 15-seat passenger van to increase access to the Center for additional youth
Environment:
- Florida Conservation Group – $38,500 toward a UTV and trailer for land surveying activities supporting conserving native land
The Foundation awards Traditional Grants twice each year, in addition to “Small and Mighty” grants awarded three times each year to organizations with annual expenses of $300,000 or less.
$48,794 in funds were awarded to nonprofits in the recent “Small and Mighty” grant round, including $13,100 to Awaken Outreach Center for electric forklifts to move donated food; $19,116 to Palma Sola Botanical Park Foundation for furnishings supporting earned income and botanical programs; $6,578 to Sarasota Chorus of the Keys for risers and technology to increase community performances; and $10,000 to Venice Heritage for shelving historical city documents and artifacts.
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation is the legacy of Bill and Marie Selby, two Sarasota residents who used their resources to create opportunity for others. The couple lived modestly, quietly, and believing in social responsibility. Susie Bowie is President and CEO. Susan Hines is Board Chair.