History
In the past 19+ years DWB has given $8 million in grants and merchandise to more than 100 Sarasota non-profit arts and human services organizations. Our granting program directly impacts the grantee organizations’ abilities to provide their services to thousands of people annually. Grants are awarded to arts and human services non-profits registered in Sarasota and generally fall into 3 categories:
- Foundational support fundamental to delivering the grantee mission
- Investments in tools for the future
- Support of existing and new program needs
Grantees over the Years
All Faiths’ Food Bank
Animal Rescue Coalition
Art Center Sarasota
Asolo Repertory Theater
Big Cat Habitat
Books For Kids Foundation
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County
Children’s Haven
Circus Sarasota
Community AIDS Network
Community Archives
Community Assisted & Supported Living, Inc.
DWB Education Scholarship
Face Autism
First Step
Florida Holocaust Museum
Florida Studio Theater
Friendship Center
Forty Carrots Family Center
Girls Inc.
Goodwill
Habitat for Humanity
Habitude
The Hermitage
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Sarasota-‐Manatee, Inc.
Meals On Wheels
New College 50th Anniversary
Pines of Sarasota
Players Theatre
Resurrection House
Ringling College of Art + Design
Roskamp Foundation
Salvation Army
Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Inc.
Sarasota-‐Manatee Jewish Federation
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation
Sarasota Museum of Art
Sarasota Orchestra
Sarasota Youth Opera
Selah Freedom
SPARCC
SRQ Airport (5 Yr. marketing Initiative for 42 arts organizations)
Suncoast Concert Band
Sun Coast Work Force
The Haven
The Venice Symphony
Van Wezel Foundation
Wellness Community
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
WSLF-‐LPFM Radio
YMCA
Testimonials
“I donate to Designing Women because I know my dollar goes farther – supporting multiple Sarasota non-profits in both the arts and human services.”
Renee Sheade – longtime donor, Ambassadors Guild member and volunteer
“As a generous and supportive partner for more than a decade, Designing Women Boutique has played a significant role in building Asolo Rep’s endowment. A crucial aspect of Asolo Rep’s stability, the endowment currently provides essential operating funds each year and helps to ensure world-class theatre for future generations. We are grateful to Designing Women Boutique for its extraordinary commitment and care for Asolo Rep and other arts organizations in the community.”
Linda M. DiGabriele, Managing Director, Asolo Repertory Theatre
“Scholarships make it possible for qualified students to fulfill their dreams of pursuing higher education at Ringling College of Art and Design. We remain grateful to Designing Women Boutique for their support of student scholarships over the years!”
Dr. Peter C. Lefferts, Senior Development Officer, Ringling College
“Designing Women has been an integral part of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s history and success,” said Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs. “I can remember the first time I ran into the shop and frantically expressed my need for costuming for a musical I was producing. The founder, Jean Wiedner, took me by the hand and we went running through the store grabbing beautiful gowns off the racks for the finale scene of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. I am forever grateful to Designing Women for its continued financial and community support to WBTT. We love you!”
Nate Jacobs – Founder/Artistic Director, West Coast Black Theatre Troupe
“With the financial assistance from Designing Women Boutique, our organization continued providing critical services to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Your contribution helped give deserving youth the chance to come to a safe, structured, and supervised environment during the 2014 summer. We hope you realize the impact your generosity had on the children in our community who need us the most.”
Sara Bealor – Development Specialist, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County