Generous Donors Raise 4.2 Million for Season of Sharing

For more than two decades, Season of Sharing has been a trusted, immediate way for neighbors to help neighbors overcome life’s unforeseen challenges. The 2025–2026 campaign carried this tradition forward with remarkable impact. Through the collective action of nearly 2,200 donors between November 2025 and January 2026, Season of Sharing successfully raised $4.2 million to help people throughout our region regain their hope, dignity, and security by meeting their most essential needs.

Created by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2000, this vital community initiative has supported over 57,000 households across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, raising more than $50 million to help individuals and families bridge a gap — covering one-time payments for rent, utility bills, transportation, childcare, or other essential expenses. Thanks to the steadfast generosity of donors during that span, Season of Sharing has gone beyond fundraising to become a movement of care, connection, and action.

To amplify that generosity, The Patterson Foundation offers match opportunities throughout Season of Sharing — contributing $100,000 for every $500,000 donated by our community. For the 2025–2026 campaign, donors activated $700,000 total in matching funds, bringing The Patterson Foundation’s cumulative support for Season of Sharing to more than $11 million since 2010.

This latest iteration of Season of Sharing once more affirms The Patterson Foundation’s belief that everyone can be a philanthropist, demonstrating the opportunity we each have to participate in strengthening our community, whether we give $25 or $250. Every gift becomes part of a greater whole, creating tangible relief for people experiencing unexpected hardship. And as donors see their contributions doubled through the match, they feel a greater sense of possibility around the difference they can make.

One of Season of Sharing’s most powerful qualities is its simplicity. Support is delivered quickly, efficiently, and directly to those who need it most. One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to helping people regain stability, thanks to the human service agencies in our region partnering through Season of Sharing. This clarity and trust are a big part of why so many continue to support this initiative. Year after year, new and returning donors contribute because they understand the effectiveness of its model.

That impact is compellingly illustrated through the reporting of the Herald-Tribune, which has elevated this effort year after year through storytelling that connects with the hearts and minds of readers. Through thoughtfully crafted articles and profiles of the individuals and families benefitting from our community’s generosity, the Herald-Tribune brings the realities of our neighbors to the forefront — sparking empathy, driving awareness, and inspiring action. This consistent, compassionate journalism ensures the community understands both the why and the who behind Season of Sharing. It is a powerful reminder that stories move people.

As challenges evolve in our region and beyond, Season of Sharing’s impact is felt year-round. While the official campaign has concluded, the work continues — quietly, persistently, with compassion at its core.

The Patterson Foundation celebrates every donor, every partner, and every person who has helped a neighbor find solid ground through Season of Sharing. We are especially grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, whose steadfast leadership and coordination make Season of Sharing possible.

Learn more about Season of Sharing’s impact and opportunities to support it at cfsarasota.org.