Founders Garden Club contributed $435,000 over the last 30 years to community outreach and beautification projects!
Every two years Founders Garden Club members select a signature community project that aligns with the club’s mission of civic improvement, conservation, and education within these fields.
Rewilding the Celery Fields Quads
Learn more about our latest Signature Community Project…
Rewilding the Celery Field Quads
In February of 2022, in partnership with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and the Sarasota Audubon Society, the membership awarded $50,000 to fund a pollinator meadow in the Celery Fields Rewilding the Quads project. Click here to see the entire presentation.
Past Signature Projects
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Funded the Children’s Rainforest Garden, a greenhouse and planting for the perimeter of the gardens, improvements to the orchid pavilion, staff redevelopment and teacher scholarships for rainforest study.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Funded a $20,000 grant to Mote’s Coral Health & Disease Research Program for coral disease research.
Bishop Museum of Science & Nature
Funded a $25,000 donation for the creation of a permanent installation for the museum’s Backyard Universe.
Community Service Projects
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Funded the completion of landscaping for Ca’D’Zan, the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling, and the restoration of Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden.
Historic Spanish Point
Funded the installation of identification markers for plants on the 3-acre site, landscaping of the schoolhouse and White Cottage, the garden’s benches, and restoration of the gardens.
Keith Edson Mansion At Phillippi Estate
Funded the installation of grasses and wildflowers to protect an Indian midden.
The Pines of Sarasota/An Assisted Living Facility
Funded the installation of a garden for the assisted living residents and refurbished the existing landscape.
Sarasota County Historical Society’s Bidwell-Wood House
Funded the Florida-friendly front garden, including the brick pathway to this historic gem.
Women’s Resource Center
Funded the installation of gardens and refurbished existing landscape.
New College Foundation
Funded plantings for the entry gate.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Funded the installation of the courtyard Butterfly Garden and refurbishment of the sundial.
Annual Holiday Arrangements for Non-Profits
Founders members create and distribute hundreds of holiday floral arrangments for local non-profits such as Meals on Wheels and The Pines each December.
Other recipients of Founders Garden Club contributions include:
- All Faiths Food Bank
- Bishop Museum Of Science
- Community Haven
- Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast Coastal Buffer at Bay Preserve
- Everglades Foundation internship and scholarship programs
- Meals on Wheels
- Mote Marine
- Orange Blossom Community Garden
- Sarasota Garden Club
- Student Conservation Association
- Wekiva Camp for Children
- Hurricane Andrew Tree Project
- Pine View High School – Junior Gardeners
- ManaSota 88
- Alta Vista Elementary School Garden
- Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida
- Phillippi Estate Parks