Our Sponsors

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At SMART with HEART, our sponsors are the heartbeat behind the work we do.

Their generosity makes it possible for us to provide life-changing equine-assisted programs for those in need—individuals who are often overlooked or underserved. Through their support, we are able to ensure the highest level of animal care, offer scholarship funding so participants can experience the healing power of horses, and maintain a safe, welcoming facility for all who come through our gates.
We hold deep appreciation for the trust and dedication our sponsors show in our mission. Their commitment helps us strengthen our community, open doors of opportunity, and create brighter futures. Quite simply, we could not do this without them.

Bishop Parker Foundation

Inspired by the philanthropic legacies of our founders, the Bishop-Parker Foundation supports nonprofit and public partners who collaborate to advance the Manatee County Community for current and future generations.

Manatee County Children Services
 
Manatee County’s Children’s Services invests in programs that support the well-being of children who are abused, neglected, at-risk or economically disadvantaged. Children’s Services staff support nonprofits in their efforts to build strong families, prepare children for school, achieve age-appropriate literacy skills, prevent teenage pregnancy, and more.
Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club
Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club mission is Fun, Friendship, and Community Service.
The purpose of the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club is to create friendships and support among members of the community by:
  • Presenting programs serving the interests and issues of today’s women.
  • Contributing to civic responsibilities and charitable giving.
  • Fostering growth and friendships among our members.
We are a not-for-profit service club founded to improve the quality of life in our community.

The mission of Manatee Community Foundation is partnering with our citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service—now and forever.

We value leadership, transparency, trust, integrity, loyalty, respect, and inclusivity in our work.

Dorothy S. (Dot) Ridings, a former Publisher of The Bradenton Herald, originally proposed the concept of Manatee Community Foundation, and in June of 1998, the Manatee Community Foundation was incorporated. Bob Blalock, Bob Christopher, and Bob Beall– referred to with gratitude as “The Three Bobs,” led the way in our establishment. First classified as a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, we capitalized on its administrative and investment services.

As part of an initiative to start, support and grow community foundations in its 26 newspaper communities, the Knight Foundation challenged the new Manatee Community Foundation’s board to raise the first $1 million of endowment funds for Manatee County.

Fast forward to 2016 after Manatee Community Foundation occupied several buildings, partnered with hundreds of donor advisors, and created many legacy funds, Manatee Community Foundation moved into a newly renovated 5,000 square foot building on Manatee Avenue, the Gene and Anne Beckstein Center. Our building allows staff to grow and the organization to better serve the community with meeting room space.

In 2025, Manatee Community Foundation celebrated our 27th anniversary, with a milestone: having invested over $65 million in the communities we serve.