Partners for Green Places launched as a collaboration between Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. It was forged to inspire individuals and organizations to play an active and engaged role in the adoption of sustainable practices in Florida’s Gulf Coast communities.

This program has two phases: the initial work of the Partners for Green Places collaboration and the current efforts of the Southface Sarasota GoodUse program. Partners for Green Places will continue to provide valuable sustainability education and outreach, Southface will manage matching grant programs.

Southface Sarasota logoGoodUse has received funding from philanthropic partners for matching grant programs. This effort focuses on cost-saving efficiency upgrades, like LED lighting, high-efficiency heat pumps, and solar photovoltaic systems at non-profit facilities.

Find out if your nonprofit is eligible to apply for a GoodUse Sarasota grant from Southface today.

History of the Program

The Partners for Green Places program used energy assessments coupled with energy and water efficiency projects to reduce operational costs for human services and environmental non-profits while achieving community sustainability goals.

During the initial projects, detailed audits were delivered to 16 nonprofits, and 13 pursued project implementations. Four solar photovoltaic projects, approximately 167 kW in total, were installed and projected to produce 250,000 kWh annually.

The collaborative program brought together the county, city, foundations, and nonprofits to support projects that promote a healthy environment, strong economy, and well-being for residents.

We are excited to report that this partnership will continue with additional funding committed by our foundation partners.

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