Collier Community Foundation Awards $250,000 in Surprise Grants to Benefit Local Arts and Culture Nonprofits

Naples, FL (July 17, 2024) The Collier Community Foundation (CCF) announced surprise
grants of $250,000 to 14 local arts and culture nonprofits, enabling these organizations to
continue their vital programs and operations in light of recent state budget cuts. These
unrestricted grants are possible due to $220,000 in CCF funding approved by the CCF Board of
Directors and $30,000 from Rooms To Go, which donated proceeds from their grand opening of
the new Naples Showroom.

CCF awarded grants of various sizes to the Art League of Marco Island, Artis―Naples, Grand
Piano Series, Gulfshore Opera, Gulfshore Playhouse, Holocaust Museum of SWFL, Naples Art
Association, Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Concert Band, Opera Naples, The Conservancy
of Southwest Florida, The Naples Players, TheatreZone, and United Arts Collier. These
organizations play a pivotal role in supporting local tourism, economy, and the workforce
and provide a diverse range of programs, exhibits, classes, and concerts for all ages, enriching
our community’s cultural landscape.

The benefiting organizations were grateful to receive the unexpected and much-needed funding.

“Thank you to the Collier Community Foundation for recognizing and responding to the impact on arts organizations following the recent State funding cuts. Your support means the world to us!” said Kristen Coury, CEO and Producing Artistic Director, Gulfshore Playhouse.

“This is why Community Foundations do the work we do,” said Eileen Connolly-Keesler, CCF
president and CEO. “We are fortunate and grateful that we are able to rapidly respond to
pressing community needs thanks to our proactive board leadership, the generous support of
our donors, and community partners that are invested in making Collier County the best it can be.”