Women in Philanthropy of Sarasota (WIP) has made a $100,000 capping grant to Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), completing a campaign that raised more than $600,000 to combat food insecurity across the region this holiday season.
The funds were raised through WIP’s annual soirée in response to heightened need during the holiday season, when many families face increased financial strain and food insecurity. Of the total grant, $75,000 was allocated to Gulf Coast’s Area of Greatest Need Fund, while $25,000 was directed to support All Faiths Food Bank.
“Women in Philanthropy brings women together to learn, connect, and be thoughtful about how we show up for our community,” said Katherine Harris, co-founder of Women in Philanthropy of Sarasota. “By understanding the issues and working together, we can channel the collective power of women philanthropists toward meaningful impact.”
The funds were immediately deployed to local nonprofits to help families facing increased need to put food on the table and experience the comfort and connection that shared meals bring during the holiday season.
“This is what happens when women come together and decide to do something that matters,” said Margaret Wise, co-founder of Women in Philanthropy of Sarasota.
We care about this community, and we want to be part of solutions that truly help people.”
The $100,000 grant served as the capping gift in a broader November campaign to address food insecurity across the region. The effort included two separate matching challenges that together galvanized more than $600,000 in support of local hunger-relief efforts.
The campaign began with $100,000 in matching funds from Gary and Barbara Rodkin, the Strohl Family Foundation, and Bob and Lin Williams to benefit All Faiths Food Bank – a challenge that was fully met in less than 48 hours. As momentum grew, three additional donors (the Strohl Family Foundation along with two anonymous donors) stepped forward with a second $150,000 match to support Gulf Coast’s Area of Greatest Need Fund, helping smaller nonprofit partners who provide meals and food assistance to individuals and families in need. Women in Philanthropy’s grant completed that second match, bringing the campaign to a powerful close.
“We are deeply grateful to Women in Philanthropy of Sarasota for this extraordinary support,” said Phillip Lanham, Gulf Coast’s President | CEO. “This generosity reflects both the power of women coming together, as well as exemplifies what we strive to do at Gulf Coast: unite people around urgent needs and turn collective action into meaningful impact for families across our region.”
