Sarasota Opera has received a $5,000 grant from the Jay K. Turner Fund of Manatee Community Foundation.

The funding aims to support the company’s pilot outreach program which aims to bring opera to numerous schools over the course of six weeks.

“We are especially excited to work with underserved communities and Title 1 schools that often do not have the resources to attend a school-time performance at the Sarasota Opera House,” said Martha Collins, Director of Education at Sarasota Opera, in an official press statement. 

“We are grateful for Manatee Community Foundation’s support which helps us expand our impact in schools in the county,” added Richard Russell, the company’s General Director. “With input from the schools, Sarasota Opera has been re-envisioning its education programming to serve more students. We look forward to even more opportunities in the future.”

The Manatee Community Foundation has worked alongside donors to build philanthropy, informed giving, and community impact in Manatee County over the last 25 years. In sum, the organization has awarded over $52 million dollars in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.