Campus of Caring Agency Investment
On the Glasser/Schoenbaum Campus of Caring, a community within our larger Sarasota-Manatee community, Caring Collective contributes to
- Campus agency sustainability and maximizing resources for client programs and support. Less expense = more money available for client programs and services.
- Collaboration and partnership between agencies.
- An environment where individuals and families can receive more than one service in one location.
To accomplish this, our high-impact programs and services include:
Rent Abatement and Utilities
By leasing space on our Campus, agencies pay substantially reduced rent, approximately 30% of current area commercial rental rates. Campus agencies also receive utilities at no additional charge.
Free-of-Charge Shared Services and Amenities
Caring Collective offers indoor conference rooms, kitchen facilities, and outdoor spaces to support Campus agency client programs and meetings.
Free-of-Charge Maintenance and Operations
Caring Collective has 100% responsibility to maintain all 14 buildings and 5 acres of outdoor gardens and spaces - at no additional charge to Campus agencies.
Shapiro Memorial Fund Grants
The Shapiro Memorial Fund (created in memory and honor of Lifetime Board Member, Sam Shapiro and his wife Sally) provides critical financial support to our campus agencies. Once per year, an agency can apply for a Fund grant to support their mission or operations. Recent approved awards reflect the diversity of our agencies’ missions and the people they serve; they include mental health and diagnostic testing services for uninsured clients; marketing and communications enhancements; client instructional videos in Spanish; staff professional training; support of volunteer child advocates; and purchase of items to help clients manage anxiety and stress.
Learn how philanthropy through our Dr. Kay Glasser Fund, Campus Resources Fund, and Shapiro Memorial Fund contribute to this impact HERE.
Caring Collective Learning Program
Available to Campus and Community non-profits, our Caring Collective Learning Program offers diverse opportunities each month for individual and team growth.
Upcoming Event
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 12:00pm
Know Your Rights
Navigating ICE Visits at Your Nonprofit
A Caring Collective Event in partnership with Legal Aid of Manasota
Leadership Development: Chief Executive Peer Circles
2024 Emerging Leader Awardee Sara Brunow Talks About Her Project
2024 Emerging Leader Awardee Andrew McClerklin Jr. Talks About His Project
2024 Emerging Leader Awardee Dawnyelle Singleton Talks About Her Project
Leadership Development: Emerging Leader Program
Launched in 2023 with the generous sponsorship of Bill and Barbara Little, the Emerging Leader Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in arts & culture, health, and human services. Each year, a committee selects 3 exceptional leaders who demonstrate a commitment and passion to their purpose; each receives a $1,000 grant to develop their program and participate in year-long leadership mentorship.
Local + State Engagement
Believing the adage that rising tides raise all boats, Caring Collective seeks ways to contribute to meaningful organizations, conversations, and collaborations at the local and state level. Two examples:
- We actively participate in and serve as Administrator for the Community Alliance of Sarasota County, a group comprised of human services organizations that meet to share information and set priorities for social services delivery in our community.
- In February 2024, Caring Collective’s CEO, Charlene Altenhain, traveled to Tallahassee with other area nonprofit CEO’s and the Florida Nonprofit Alliance to meet with elected officials to discuss our area non-profits’ vital role and to discuss funding opportunities.
Community Partnerships: 2-1-1 Community Liaison
The 2-1-1 program provides critical free and confidential information and referral services to Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto county residents for financial support, health programs, crisis support, emergency and hurricane needs, and so much more. Access can occur through call, text, or chat to a multilingual specialist who can meet needs in real time. As a program liaison, Caring Collective offers vital support serving as a bridge to provide connection between the 2-1-1 call center and the resources available to those in need.
For more information, please contact Christina Russi, Community Fiscal Agent & Liaison, (941) 867-4381, crussi@caring-collective.org.
Community Partnerships:
Season of Sharing
As an example, Caring Collective proudly serves as the sole fiscal agent for Season of Sharing in Sarasota County. This program of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Herald-Tribune Media Group provides targeted financial assistance for necessities like rent, utilities, car repairs, and other emergency experiences for our neighbors experiencing severe financial insecurity. The impact of this program cannot be understated: in 2023-2024, Glasser/Schoenbaum (now Caring Collective) processed $1.8 million in emergency funding, an increase of 50% over the $1.2 million processed just two years ago.
For more information, please contact Christina Russi, Community Fiscal Agent & Liaison, (941) 867-4381, crussi@caring-collective.org.
Community Partnerships + Our Campus
We support community partners working to eliminate food insecurity.
Twice a month, All Faiths Food Bank distributes food at our Campus of Caring parking lot. Neighbors in need can drive through and receive groceries through the Mobile Pantry.
The need is great; with our program created just a year ago, we currently have MOUs with 14 diverse agencies. For more information, please contact Chris Russi, Community Fiscal Agent & Liaison (crussi@caring-collective.org) or Mike Day, Community Benefits Specialist (mday@caring-collective.org).
We support reducing barriers so that our neighbors in need can apply for essential services.
The intent of the Program is three-fold: create additional effectiveness and efficiencies for our partner agencies while offering accessibility to services for clients.
We support the safe disposal of unneeded and expired prescription drugs.
We proudly partner with the Sarasota Police Department to support the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at our Campus of Caring. On designated days, area residents can drop off expired or no longer needed prescription drugs for safe disposal. This program seeks to make our communities safer and healthier by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths.
As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day responsibilities and defer pressing leadership decisions. Being part of a Chief Executive Peer Circle (CEPC) cohort has expanded my network while keeping me accountable to growing myself as a leader. I have appreciated the commitment to confidentiality so we can transparently address topics that are most pressing to our organization.
Jody Jester
Executive Director, Bridge a Life, Inc.
It is refreshing to speak and learn of other CEO challenges in the nonprofit world. We don’t have to be on an island all by ourselves. We can share openly and honestly how to deal with common concerns and challenges. Learning to support each other with our learned experiences has really helped me understand we might have a different view on subjects but can approach the subject with a different lens.
Ann LeBaron
Chief Executive Officer, Take Stock in Children Manatee
