DONATE
A screen shot of our Giving Challenge donation page.

On April 28-29, our entire local nonprofit community took part in an online 24-hour giving event connecting nearly 700 nonprofit organizations with donors to support diverse causes in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

The Giving Challenge has been held 7 times since 2012, but this year was different. Never before has the event called our community's generosity to action in a global pandemic, amidst job losses on a scale not seen since the Great Depression.

Considering the injurious effects of unemployment and public health concerns, a timid philanthropic showing would have been understandable. But it turns out, quite the opposite occurred. The 2020 Giving Challenge saw a stunning 57% increase in fundraising, compared to the last Challenge in 2018.

This entire initiative is thanks to two of our region's largest foundations. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County hosts, markets, researches, trains nonprofits, and is the fiscal home of the event. The Patterson Foundation provides the key overall incentive to inspire giving with an incredible dollar-for-dollar match for all unique donors giving under $100. This year, that match puts The Patterson Foundation's commitment over $8 million.

As for Glasser/Schoenbaum's commitment, we made a decision to dedicate all funds raised from the Giving Challenge to directly support the 19 tenant partner agencies on our campus (see our event page here). Our Shapiro Memorial Fund provides a $1,000 grant to each agency for any mission-related expense they need. In the past, we have seen these dollars go to specific needs like school supplies for clients, but also to needs that are harder to fund with restricted grants and donations: technology fees, marketing assets, professional development.

Recently, a survey was conducted to assess nonprofits' needs in relation to the COVID-19 crisis. The survey found that an alarming 46% of our local health and human services nonprofits have 3 months or less in operating reserves. This striking statistic throws into relief the crucial need to fund nonprofits' general operating expenses with unrestricted dollars.

That's why we couldn't have been more pleased during those exciting 24 hours, as we watched our goal met, and then surpassed, reaching a total of $25,214!

Some GREAT stats:

  • 147 unique donors
  • $14,332 in individual donations
  • $10,882 eligible in matches by The Patterson Foundation
  • 126% of our total matched goal was met, equal to $25,214
  • $575,209.21 was collectively raised by all agencies on the campus
126% in awe.

We're grateful to our community, our donors, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Patterson Foundation, and all of those who supported our agencies in so many generous and creative ways. We are so proud to see that when put to the test, our community is strong, agile, and caring.

footer-top-stripes-separator
Cloud
Cloud

Direct
Impact

left quote

Real estate is one of the greatest costs in a business budget. Our partnership with The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center allows more money to go towards our mission. And what better place to house our office than on a campus with nineteen other outreach agencies.

right quote
Janet Kahn Executive Director Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County
left quote

Collaboration is key to the success of our work. The Campus of Caring is a unique space where we can easily join forces with other agencies to make the best use of our resources and maximize our community impact. The affordable rent allows us to allocate more funds to our mission of transforming the lives of students and their families.

right quote
Cintia Elenstar Executive Director UnidosNow
left quote

As a small organization with a staff of two, employee safety was a big consideration when we were looking for office space. We did not want our employees to be in a place where they were alone. Being on the GSHSC campus has been great because there is a whole community of like-minded professionals.

right quote
Svetlana Kaminsky Executive Director Children's Guardian Fund
footer-bottom-stripes-separator
Learn More

Events

GS Connects logo
GS Connects: Banyan Pediatric Care Center...
05/16/2023 12:00 pm Bayan Pediatric Care Centers: A Special Place For Your Special Needs Child ...
Read More
GlasserPassports logo
Kay on campus overview of balcony
Campus Kay Day
06/21/2023 11:30 am
Read More

News

Newsletters

Peruse our newsletter archive below. Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletters, with information about the campus and the community:
Read Post

A Statement about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A Statement from our Board of Directors, Executive Director, and staff: Our shared natural human behaviors of connection – handshakes, hugs, kindness, and trust – are now turned upside down […]
Read Post

Our First Emerging Leaders Pave Their Path

Here on Florida’s Suncoast we see more people and businesses find their way to these shores every year, but this also means the number in need grows as well. Ensuring […]
Read Post
1 2 3 74
Connect with us image

Connect with
Us

We appreciate your interest in our campus and the organizations that provide services here. Please make a selection below to connect with the best department. Together, we can make a difference on our community and beyond!
cloud
cloud
footer left cloud
footer left bird
footer right bird
footer right cloud
footer houses
© 2017–2023 The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center. All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap
All donations are made to The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation), and are tax deductible as provided by law. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Our Registration is #CH1216. 100% of your contribution goes to support The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, Inc. EIN 59-2707877