Matching funds to be sought
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in Sarasota plans to use a $75,000 capital grant it received from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation “in the highly competitive Fall 2025 Traditional grant cycle,” to help pay for what it has described as critical preventive maintenance projects for its Sarasota and Manatee county facilities, the nonprofit has announced.
Among the initiatives will be “replacing aging windows and exterior doors with hurricane-rated, energy-efficient units; completing roof replacements on both buildings at the Manatee Avenue campus; and repairing leaks and damaged ceiling tiles in client-facing program spaces,” a news release says. “These improvements will strengthen the safety, resilience, and functionality of WRC’s centers, ensuring uninterrupted access to vital services for women across the region,” the release points out.
“It is imperative that our facilities are safe, welcoming spaces where our clients can build stability, confidence, and hope,” said Ashley Brown, president & CEO of the Women’s Resource Center, in the release. “Receiving this award is very meaningful and affirming of the work we are doing at WRC,” Brown continued. “The Selby Foundation’s support allows us to move forward with essential repairs that protect our clients, our staff, and our mission.”
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) “will seek matching funds for a portion of the award to leverage additional community support toward the full project cost,” the release notes. “WRC will incorporate this match into upcoming fundraising efforts to maximize the impact of the investment,” it adds.
“In 2025 alone, more than 3,000 clients across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties engaged with WRC programs, including mental health services, career development, resource navigation, scholarships, and financial stability initiatives,” the release says. “These infrastructure improvements help ensure the long-term continuity of these mission-critical services.”
The project is expected to get underway soon, “with all improvements scheduled for completion by December 2026,” the release adds.
For more information about the Women’s Resource Center and how to get involved with its work, visit mywrc.org.