Fueled by you, Gulf Coast Community Foundation helps to connect people, ideas, and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities in the special place we proudly call home.
Transform Together
Together with our donors, we transform our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. We are your community foundation serving Sarasota County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County, Boca Grande, Lakewood Ranch, and Longboat Key, Florida.
Here for Good
Connected Through Purpose
Our region turns vision into action every day.
Donors
We help guide donors' generosity and support their philanthropic interests today and for future generations.
Your Giving
Nonprofits
So much of what we are able to accomplish is possible only through the work of our nonprofit partners.
Nonprofit Resources
Students
Our scholarship program ensures that our region prepares the skilled workforce we need for the future through students of all ages.
Student Resources
Professional Advisors
We strive to be our Professional Advisors' resource and sounding board as they serve their philanthropic clients.
Advisor Tools & Resources
Areas of Impact
We identify emerging needs in our region and mobilize the right resources and passionate people to address them.
It’s all about the gulf coast
As a public charity dedicated to serving the needs of our region, everything we do here is about our local communities.
$625M
Grants & Impact
Invested in community impact since our creation in 1995
850+
Philanthropists
Individuals, families, agencies, and organizations calling Gulf Coast home
$48M
Yearly Granted (FY25)
Grants, scholarships, and initiative support in our latest fiscal year
What's happening
Updates & Insights
All the latest news and happenings from around our community.
Stories
Embolden Give Better Get Better Podcast with Phillip Lanham
The following Give Better Get Better podcast with our President | CEO Phillip Lanham appeared as part of Embolden's CEO Series.
Stories
SRQ Daily: Philanthropy in Motion: Gulf Coast's Latest Impact Investment
The following guest column by Phillip Lanham appeared in the Saturday, January 17, 2026 edition of SRQ Daily.
Insights & Resources
What You Need to Know as 2026 Dawns
Professional Advisor January 2026 Newsletter. Tax rules in 2026, why Donor Advised Funds are still essential, and a QCD case study.
Stories
Sarasota Scene Magazine: Powering Progress: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Welcomes Three Accomplished Women to its Board of Directors
By Tom Reese. Photo by Nancy Guth. The following article appeared in Sarasota Scene Magazine in January 2026.
Stories
Turning Policy Into Practice: How the I3 Program Helped Bridge National Change with Regional Impact
Learn how Gulf Coast leveraged the Invest In Incredible (I3) program to quickly convene a timely workshop focused on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) to ensure local nonprofits had the clarity and confidence they needed to prepare them for what’s ahead.
Stories
SRQ Daily: Looking Back on 2025
The following guest column by Phillip Lanham appeared in the Saturday, December 20, 2025 edition of SRQ Daily.
Set Your Generosity in Motion
Learn how your giving can help make a positive impact now – and for generations to come.