About The Giving Challenge

The Giving Challenge, which takes place on Tuesday, April 9-Wednesday, April 10 from Noon-Noon, is an exciting 24-hour online giving event that connects about 700 nonprofit organizations with passionate donors and community members to support diverse causes and create enduring impact in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

The 2024 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.

 

Support The Bay During the Giving Challenge

During the Giving Challenge, consider supporting The Bay! #BeTheOne to support one park for all. Your gift helps keep the park in tip-top shape and helps provide FREE high-quality programming for everyone in the community to experience and enjoy.

Plus, up to $100 of your gift to The Bay will be TRIPLED thanks to The Patterson Foundation which doubles the first $100 of every Giving Challenge gift PLUS the Gulf Coast Community Foundation that generously matches every gift* to The Bay dollar-for-dollar all year long. (*up to $2 million in total gifts received by December 31, 2024)

This means your gift of:

• $25 becomes $75 = a 3-month supply of Doggie Trash bags in the park
• $50 becomes $150 = 3 beautiful and green replacement plants to keep the park looking like new
• $100 becomes $300 = a talented instructor for 3 free yoga, fitness or dance classes in the park
• $250 becomes $600 = a free guided kayak tour on Sarasota Bay for 2 families PLUS 2 adults

So take advantage of this incredible 24-hour match opportunity to significantly increase the impact of your gift to the park!

Plus, 24 Hours…. A Dozen FREE and fun Events in the Park!

Please come to The Bay to enjoy a dozen FREE events during the 24-hour Giving Challenge — a “Best of The Bay” sampling of all the park has to offer. (Click here to see full schedule of events during the Giving Challenge.)

How to Give During the Giving Challenge

Online

• Click here on April 9-10 from Noon-Noon to support The Bay during the Giving Challenge.

In-Person

• Come to the park any time on April 9 and 10 — especially on April 9 from 12-2pm and again from 6-7pm during the Giving Challenge Pop-Up Giving Station at The Bay (1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota 34236). Learn more about the Pop-Up below.
• Come to the Blue Pagoda at The Bay (655 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 34236) to drop off any in-person donation or if you need further assistance.

Pop-Up Giving Station at The Bay

The Bay has been selected to host a Giving Challenge Pop-Up Giving Station on Tuesday, April 9 from 12-2pm and, again, from 6-7pm. Please stop by The Bay to engage with these amazing non-profit partners:

• Art Center Sarasota
• The Bay Park Conservancy
• Minorities in Shark Sciences
• Operation Warrior Resolution
• Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
• Science and Environment Council
• Suncoast Waterkeeper
• Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Click here to learn more

FREE Giving Challenge Events at The Bay

Come to The Bay during the community-wide 24-hour Giving Challenge and participate in range of events that showcase that The Bay is ‘one park for all’ – free and welcoming, open and accessible to everyone!

Come engage with an array of amazing organizations and learn about the impact they make in the community.

This collection of non-profit groups provides a range of benefits — from recreational to environmental; from visual arts to performing arts; and health and wellness for veterans and for everyone.

Click here to register for Giving Challenge events (and Click here to learn about all that is happening in the park during the 24 hours!)

Click here to see the full events calendar

April 9

• Giving Challenge Pop-Up Station at The Bay Session #1 (12-2 p.m.)
• Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe: “Soul Men & Sistas of Soul” (noon-12:30 p.m.)
• Lunchtime Tunes: Shindig (1-2 p.m.) presented by The Bay
• Minorities in Shark Sciences: Shark-themed games (4-6 p.m.)
• Happy Hour: Drink specials at The Nest Concession (5-7 p.m.)
• Operation Warrior Resolution: “Friendly” Cornhole Competition for All (6-9pm)
• Giving Challenge Pop-Up Station at The Bay Session #2 (6-7 p.m.)
• Sound Bath at The Bay with Petra Ratner (6-7pm)
• Cinema at The Bay: Stand By Me (8-9:30 p.m.)
• Select few members from Operation Warrior Resolution and the other Bay Pop-Up Organizations: Nonstop Overnight Giving Challenge at The Bay – to continue fundraising all night long.

April 10

• Operation Warrior Resolution: Sunrise Yoga (7-8 a.m.)
• Ride & Paddle with special guest from Suncoast Waterkeeper Guided kayak tour of Sarasota Bay (8:30-10:30 p.m.