Better Tomorrows is happy to be a part of one of the Sarasota County region’s most sought-after philanthropic opportunities. Presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour event that provides an avenue for nonprofit organizations in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties to creatively engage new and longtime supporters while, simultaneously, providing donors ways to optimize the impact of their gifts. The 2022 online Giving Challenge is happening from noon to noon, on April 26 and 27.  The effort, which encourages nonprofits to demonstrate transparency for donors by developing profiles on the foundation’s platform, has raised more than $59 million from individuals and companies over the last 10 years. Better Tomorrows is one of the nonprofit organizations participating in this tremendous opportunity. (Better Tomorrows Giving Challenge Profile)

Since before it became a nonprofit organization in 2013, Better Tomorrows has been providing case management and social service support to children, adults, and seniors residing in affordable housing communities across the country.  Better Tomorrows currently has more than 100 sites in 19 states whose residents benefit from programs in the areas of academic support; financial literacy; health, wellness, and nutrition; job readiness; and social and community engagement. 

The Janie’s Garden community, located in the Newtown area of Sarasota, has 534 residents who have the opportunity to engage in Better Tomorrows’ impactful programming. Its after-school program provides young residents with enriching educational experiences that nurture academic achievement. Notably, Janie’s Gardens’ after-school/homework help program was one of three sites participating in the Reading Challenge hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to have children achieve summer reading gains.  The program has also been recognized by the Sarasota County School System for its efforts and demonstrated success with children in the community. “Having the support of the Sarasota community is vital to the work we do at Janie’s Garden,” says Better Tomorrows’ executive director, Patricia Schwartz. “We are thankful the Community Foundation of Sarasota County included us among the other nonprofit organizations joining this effort and look forward to the awareness and financial support the campaign will bring.”