Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Company. Join the conversation about the MSC Foundation with #MSCFoundation.

A philanthropic leg of Michael Saunders & Company, MSC Foundation completed its year-end grant distribution cycle last week, providing 41 nonprofit organizations for Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties with $59,200 collectively for commendable causes—ranging from youth and family services to underserved arts and literacy programs. With contributions from more than 650 agents and 120 employees, the selected organizations fulfilled the MSC Foundation’s mission to fund causes offering communities shelter, sustenance, education and a path to self-sufficiency and otherwise improving the quality of life along the Gulf Coast. The grants were distributed to representatives of each nonprofit at special events held at Michael Saunders’ various office locations, having kicked-off in July and culminating last week at the brokerage’s Lakewood Ranch office.

Through the engrained generosity of MSC agents and employees, countless individuals have chosen to participate and voluntarily donate portions of their salaries or real estate sales commissions, or make one-time donations, as well as offer hours of volunteering at these organizations throughout the year. Staff that wish to participate have the option of giving by way of their salary, sales commission or through one-time donations throughout each cycle. They can also nominate their favorite organizations to the MSC Foundation Board of Directors that oversees the day-to-day management of the foundation and reviews donation requests.

Since launching in 2011, the MSC Foundation has provided $731,540 to 195 organizations across Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. The fundings has attributed to beneficiary programs and enhancement to the community, such as Selby Botanical Gardens being able to provide free admission for teachers and kids at title one schools, Wobbly Feet Foundation sourcing a biotech researcher specializing in Ataxia Telangiectasia in hope of finding a cure, Early Learning Coalition going towards continuing the annual “Every Child a Reader” week, providing Charlotte County's Habitat for Humanity with 0% mortgage interest rates, expanding programming for the Boys & Girls Club Sarasota in Arcadia and DeSoto county and many more.

“The MSC Foundation and its commitment to utilizing a strong network of community-minded professionals to enact positive change is a true representation of the core values at Michael Saunders & Company,” says the company’s president, Drayton Saunders, also the vice president of the foundation. “We are proud of our team of agents and staff who give both time and resources to the communities we serve on the Gulf Coast.”  

Photo courtesy of Michael Saunders & Company. Join the conversation about the MSC Foundation with #MSCFoundation.

Full list of organizations that have received funding since MSC Foundation's inception.