Foundation awards $1.48 million in grants, scholarships

Last Friday at its board of directors meeting, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County approved grants and scholarships totaling $1.48 million.

Grants include $40,000 to the Students Taking Active Roles program, which inspires young-adult participation and positively impacts the community; $719,907 to the Literacy Empowers All Families (LEAF) literacy initiative for its commitment to helping children read and learn; $125,000 to the Sarasota affiliate of the Independent Transportation Network that provides low-cost, door-to-door car rides for the elderly and visually impaired; and $75,000 to the Senior Friendship Center to increase the recruitment and management of volunteers.

In addition, for the fiscal year 2007-2008, the foundation will award nearly $1 million in scholarships to current high school graduates, college students and adults who have gone back to school to pursue higher education or career training.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].