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Join the Movement

Your support is crucial as we prepare for the annual Living Arts Festival.

Your gift today fuels creativity, connection, 
and the cultural heartbeat of our region.

Give Now

Support Fuels Our Vision

Thank you for your generosity and for being a vital part of our exciting arts community!

Friends of the Festival

Friends of the Festival donors are the fuel of our creative engine. Their annual support of $1000+ empowers us to use our ingenuity as we design a sustainable organization and festival. The first 25 Founding Member donations also at $1000+ to Sarasota Rising will be matched up to $25k!

Donate and be a part of the legacy of this revolutionary event! ALL donations are welcome! But for a donation of $1000.00 you will create a rippling impact at this stage in our growth!

Angels $100,000+

Downtown Improvement District
Jonathan & Michelle Mitchell

Soaring $50,000 – $99,999

Jaime & Julie DiDomenico

Flourishing $25,000 – $49,999

Anonymous (x2)
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Dr. Jeffrey Hamblin & Mark-Alan
Dr. Mark & Irene Kauffman

Escalating $10,000 – $24,999

Anonymous
Robin Block
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Exchange
Amy Falk Weinberger

Ascending $5,000 – $9,999

Platkin Family Foundation
John & TaNa Sandefur Fund
Sandi & Joe Wall
Werner Amelingmeier Fund
Walton & Deborah Beachum
In Memory of John Kin- Love Kathrene

Scaling $2,000 – $4,999

Sally & Duncan Dickson
Bruce Ensinger
Dick and Mary Rau-Foster
Scott George & John Mason
Morgan Gerhart
Carolyn Gross
Jeffery Kin
Margaret Marcus
Dick Miller
Pam & Lyn Wiley
Mary Kramer in honor of Ed Kramer
Suzanne Hudson-Smith
Jackie & Angus Rogers
Sue Rupp & Josh Ingojo
John & Julia Osbourne
James Stern in honor of Marco Knapp
Bruce Ensinger & Clark Denham

Friends $1,000 – $1,999

Joan Armour Mendell Foundation
Bavaro’s Restaurant
Debra Buttaggi
Ariane Dart
Anna Lee Ernst
Kelly Franklin & Ron Kashden
Edna & Aaron Gaingerich Foundation
JJ Enterprises
Trey Jones
Ellen Kramer
Mary Kramer
Michael Phelan
Mary Anne Servian
Marianne & Bob Siegal Foundation
Watts Family Fund
Veronica Brady & Keith Monda
Margaret Ann Kin in honor of Robert D. Kin
Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County

Lifting $500 – $999

John Bartone
Julia Osborne
Vicki Rollo
Sharon & Russell Stephens
Jane Woods
Dr John Bartone
Beth Duda & Bill Wagy
Stephen Kin & Jan Leiter
Joe Platia

Emerging $100 – $499

Patricia Armstrong
Ken Bailey
Cristina Bickerstaff
Bringman and Company, Inc.
Stephanie Campbell
Linda Carson
Michelle Caulkins
Kathryn and Jerome Chesley
Dan Cole & Lisa Taylor
Creative Liberties
Donna DeFant
Stephen and Sharon Dickman
Lynne Doyle
Deni Drezen
Marilyn Dougherty
Irene Falcetti
Robyn Faucy
Kathleen Fraley
Carolina Franco
Valoria Hoover
Kathleen Junkins
Shanti M. Kennedy
Arthur Keyser
Carol Kleinberg
Brandon Kin
Julie Leach
Liter of Sarasota
The Literacy Council of Sarasota County, Inc.
Julie McHugh
Nellie O’Brien
Carrie McQueen
Nancy O’Neil
Eileen & Enid Parkinson
Joe Platia
Sharon Ricketts
Ellen Rowe
Lucinda Schlotterback
Sculpin Hospitality Group, LLC
Monica Sirocchi
Deborah & Allyn Talbert
Marcia Jean Taub
Monica Van Buskirk
Sarah Wertheimer
Mary Lou Winnick
Bernard Yanelli
Loretta Zullo
Shelia Weiss
Nicole Nicholson
Katherine & Frank Martucci
Joe Grano
Michael Pasquini
Matt & Michelle McCord
Willis-Smith Construction
SEQUAL
Will Baker
Monica Gagnier
Susan Heator-Graham
Carolina Franco & Elias Verzin

Rising up to $99

Jodi Bash
Shyrlene Baum
Teri Booth
Kelly Burnette
Christine Carey
Jerry Chambless
Alison Cheney
Olga Coronas
Debra Cottrell
Laura Courter
Kaela Coye
Robert Diamond
Cintia Elenstar
Alison ElMahdi
Craig Engle
Thomas Fair
Monica Gagnier
Carol Gaskin
Carrie Greenbert
Ann Gundersheimer
Brandy Hand
Rikki Hettig-Rolfe Meaux
Trish Ivey
Allison Johnson
Annamaria Juhasz
Michelle Kenner
Monique Kinler
Donna Labik
Mikel Laiche
Kelly A Lux
Kimberley Mappes
Ty Maxey
Trish McConnell
Sandra Moulin
Sandra Musicante
Cindy Novak
Madi Olcott
Jeffry Offenberger
Krystal Olney
Frank Parise
Laura Purcell
Lyn Purmort
Rachel Savwoir
Jackie Simmons
Helen Slemmons
Lori Tomlinson
Kyle Turoff
Susan Underwood
Jennifer Weinstein
Sue Weitendorf
Laura Courter
Roberta Fernandez
Katie McCurry Don & Lois Richter
Jan Wallace
Leymis Willmott Teri Booth
Rennie Carter Julia Planck
Robert Turoff – In Memory of Roberta McDonald
Katie Flowers
Lisa Taylor
Kyle Turoff & Tres Cole
Barb Bullock & James Kassees

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Become a Friend

Be a part of the legacy – become a Friend of the Festival and help fuel Sarasota Rising’s creative future.

Join Us

Become a Donor

Support the arts and local economy — become a sponsor and help make our region a thriving, year-round cultural destination.

Fuel the Festival

Legacy Gifts

Leave a lasting impact – support the future of the arts with a legacy gift that helps Sarasota’s cultural community

Leave a Legacy

Become a Sponsor

Festivals spark more than joy — they ignite economic growth, strengthen community pride, and shine a spotlight on local culture. The Living Arts Festival, hosted by Sarasota Rising, draws thousands of residents and visitors to experience our region’s vibrant arts scene.

By sponsoring, your business becomes part of this cultural movement — connecting with engaged audiences, boosting visibility, and supporting an event that benefits the entire community. We’ll work with you to create a sponsorship package tailored to your goals, whether that’s brand awareness, foot traffic, or introducing a new product.

Reserve your place today and join us in making this year’s festival an unforgettable celebration of creativity, culture, and community.

Begin Your Sponsorship Journey
A young teen playing the tuba

Sponsorships Designed Around Your Goals

We understand that each business has its own goals. That’s why we collaborate with you to craft a sponsorship package that provides maximum value. Whether you’re aiming to boost brand awareness, increase foot traffic, or promote a new product or service, we’re here to make it happen.

The Power of a Festival

Festivals are more than just events—they’re influential economic and cultural celebrations that leave a lasting impact on communities. Studies repeatedly show that festivals stimulate local economies, attract tourists, and encourage residents to support nearby businesses.

Beyond economic benefits, festivals play a crucial role in building community pride and celebrating local culture. They unite people, showcase regional heritage, and foster a shared sense of identity cherished by both residents and visitors.

The Living Arts Festival

Every year, our city comes alive with creativity, connection, and celebration during the Living Arts Festival, an annual arts and cultural event hosted by Sarasota Rising and various arts organizations. We gather thousands of attendees who share a passion for arts, culture, and local businesses like yours.

When you partner with us, you’re not just sponsoring a festival—you’re investing in meaningful opportunities that benefit both your business and the entire community.

Rise With Us: Become a Volunteer

Help bring Sarasota’s creative vision to life by joining our passionate community of volunteers. Whether you’re assisting with events, supporting outreach, or sharing your unique skills, your time and energy make a lasting impact. At Sarasota Rising, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do — because building a stronger, more connected Cultural Coast starts with you.

Become a Volunteer

Double Your Impact

We know that some of our benefactors like funding double and triple match challenges. Matching challenges make your philanthropy reach farther into the community and create a meaningful impact on our arts organizations. If you would like to create a matching challenge for Sarasota Rising, please contact us.

Community support is at the heart of our success. Whether you give, volunteer, or offer your skills and services, every contribution counts. Together, can create something extraordinary for the Cultural Coast.

Contact Us

The Giving Challenge

Every year, the The Patterson Foundation provides a 1 to 1 match through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County during the Giving Challenge. Join Sarasota Rising from noon April 15 to noon April 16, 2026, for this 24 hour online event and double your impact as we activate our Cultural Coast, elevate local artists, and strengthen the arts across our region.

Learn More