MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Making An Impact, Inc. (MAI) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Manatee Community Foundation to support its Resilient Resource Navigation for Disaster-Impacted LMI Residents in Manatee County initiative. The project will increase awareness of and access to Making An Impact’s Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Resource Guides through a coordinated, community-based outreach and distribution strategy designed to maximize accessibility, visibility, and operational use throughout Manatee County.

Funding for this project is provided by Manatee Community Foundation.

Rather than relying on a centralized distribution model, the project uses a decentralized community infrastructure approach that places printed Guides directly within trusted organizations and locations that vulnerable residents frequently access before, during, and after disasters.

Guides will be distributed through approximately 25 to 50 community access points throughout Manatee County, including law enforcement agencies, fire rescue and EMS stations, hospitals, emergency shelters, schools, food pantries, homeless outreach programs, behavioral health facilities, veteran organizations, senior centers, and nonprofit and faith-based agencies.

By placing practical resource information where residents already seek services and support, Making An Impact aims to strengthen community preparedness, improve access to recovery resources, and help disaster-impacted low- to moderate-income residents more effectively navigate available assistance.

For more information about Making An Impact, visit www.Making-An-Impact.org.

About Making An Impact, Inc. (MAI): Making An Impact, Inc. (MAI) is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects Sarasota and Manatee County residents with essential services through comprehensive basic needs and disaster preparedness and recovery resource guides. Available in print and online, MAI’s guides feature more than 300 local agencies and resources. With thousands of online views and more than 8,000 printed copies in English and Spanish distributed through social service providers, government agencies, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and other community partners, MAI empowers thousands of individuals and families each year with information and insight by providing access to trusted information and critical local resources.

About Manatee Community Foundation (MCF): Founded in 1998, Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) strengthens the community through philanthropy, education, and service. As Manatee County’s only community foundation, MCF connects donors, businesses, government, and nonprofit partners to help the community thrive. MCF has invested more than $55 million in health and human services, education, arts and culture, the environment, and animal welfare. Learn more at

manateecf.org

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