Three Sarasota-based family foundations make funding possible
Three Sarasota-based family foundations — the Harry Shapiro Charitable Foundation, the Koski Family Foundation, and the Bladel Charitable Trust — have provided funding for 2025 summer programming offered by the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department, the Library Foundation for Sarasota County has announced.
The Library Foundation pooled the money from those foundations into a $40,000 grant to the Libraries and Historical Resources Department, a news release explains. The grant is supporting “the Summer Learning program and the Artists in the Libraries series, expanding educational and enrichment offerings for all ages,” the release points out.
“Summer Learning keeps children engaged during the months when many students experience a decline in academic skills, while also providing lifelong learning opportunities for adults and seniors,” the release noes. Having begun on May 31 and continuing through Aug. 2, the program is offering educational offerings in STEM, the arts and literacy, the release continues.
“In 2024,” the release adds, “Summer Learning delivered 565 programs in partnership with 15 community organizations,” serving more than 17,000 participants.
“The Artists in the Libraries series brings hands-on art workshops to children, adults, and seniors across a wide range of artistic mediums,” the release says. “By collaborating with established local artists, the series promotes community engagement, creative expression, and lifelong learning while making art accessible to all,” it notes. Twenty-four Artists in the Libraries workshops will be offered across all 10 branches, the release points out.
“We’re grateful to the Harry Shapiro Charitable Foundation, the Koski Family Foundation, and the Bladel Charitable Trust for their generous support,” Alisa Mitchell, executive director of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, said in the release. “Their commitment ensures that children and families across Sarasota County have access to wonderful educational experiences during the summer months,” she added.
Since its founding in 2011, the nonprofit Library Foundation for Sarasota County has raised more than $8 million in private funds for the benefit of Sarasota County public libraries. To learn more about the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.