SARASOTA, Fla. – July 13, 2026– Children and adults with disabilities living in South Sarasota County will have access to critical support services thanks to a $4,000 grant awarded to Easterseals Southwest Florida (Easterseals) provided by the James W. Wherritt Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The grant will help expand access to Easterseals Southwest Florida's life-changing programs for children and adults with disabilities living in South Sarasota County. Funding will strengthen services that foster independence, build confidence, encourage inclusion and create opportunities for individuals of all abilities to reach their fullest potential. This investment reflects the Community Foundation's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life throughout the region by supporting organizations that address critical community needs.

For more than 80 years, Easterseals Southwest Florida has been a trusted leader in providing innovative, person-centered services for individuals with disabilities across every stage of life. From early intervention and inclusive preschool education to autism diagnostics, behavioral health, pediatric therapies, employment readiness, life skills training, and family support, Easterseals empowers individuals to thrive while helping create a more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

“We are incredibly thankful to the Community Foundation for its continued partnership and investment in individuals with disabilities throughout our community,” said Nicole Murby, MS CCC-SLP, Vice President of Programs at Easterseals Southwest Florida. “This generous grant will help ensure that children and adults with disabilities who live in South Sarasota County, will have continued access to the specialized empowered-focused services that help individuals of all abilities to live, learn, work and shine.”

For eight decades, Easterseals Southwest Florida has served the region with programs including early childhood education, therapy services, workforce development and life skills training. To learn more about Easterseals Southwest Florida or to support its mission, visit www.easterseals-swfl.org.

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Easterseals Southwest Florida has been part of the community for 80 years and offers the highest quality of care and services to children, youth, and adults with disabilities so that they can enjoy access, opportunities, and increased life choices. Easterseals Southwest Florida is committed to remaining a leader in special needs services and an organization to which individuals and their families can turn for resources and support with a continuum of care throughout their lives.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $605 million in more than 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant $542 million to nonprofits in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families and businesses. For more information, visit cfsarasota.org or call 941-955-3000.