Project Light of Manatee, Inc.

• What We Do
• History
• Our Funding
• President's Message
• Donors
• Volunteers
• Board of Directors
• In The News
• Contact Us
• Mural Photo Album
• Donate

Project Light of Manatee, Inc. is a non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3).

FIN # 65-0490652

FL Non-Profit Registration # SC 05159

Project Light uses no professional solicitors collecting donations on our behalf. 100% of contributions go directly to the work of Project Light.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free, within the state 1-800-HELP-FLA. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation.

Our Funding...

Individual donations and grants fund the center.

We receive no government funds. There is no cost to the students.

Since the beginning, Individual donations have been the backbone of Project Light. Some of our doners send a check every month, others once or twice a year. Grants have enabled us to expand our program and are very important in out operation. We have received grants from:

The Campaign for Human Development
Entre Nous
The Service Club of Bradenton
The Wilson Wood Foundation
The Moss Foundation
The Selby Foundation
The Knight Foundation
The Sisters of Charity
The Elizabeth Hayes Fund
The Society of the Divine Savior
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Diving Savior
The Manatee Community Foundation - The Evans Family Trust
USA Salvatorians
and others.

Our efforts to find new funding sources are on-going. And, we can always use your help.

Over the years, Project Light has benefited from the generosity of people attending out fundraisers.

In conjunction with our campaign to purchase the new building, our first fundraiser was held in February of 1998. We held a theater night at the Theatre Works in Sarasota, Florida. Attendance was excellent and we had a great time. For two years we continued these "Evening at the Theater" events because they were quite popular and profitable. In 2001 we moved our "Evening at the Theater" to the Riverside Theater in Bradenton. Unfortunatly, a change of staff at the theater resulted in much higher prices for a buy-out so that Project Light can no longer economically continue the event.

Other fund raising events have included a festival at the new 14th Street site before moving into the new building.

People attending the festival were invited to help paint a portion as directed by the artist Barbara Elliot. It took Barbara another year to finish the mural that has become a landmark for Project Light. The mural depicts St. Francis in a Florida garden. It shows many of Flordia's endangered species. Barbara donated her time and talent to paint this beautiful mural. It was dedicated to her husband who passed away during this time.

We also held three Luncheon and Fashion Show events in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Models were drawn from our volunteers and other friends of Project Light. Clothing was provided by Beall's Department Store for two years, and Damon & Draper the last year.

Our Ferbruary 2004 fundraiser was a Hymn Fest hosted by the music ministry of St. Bernard's Church. Special music was chosen by Don Donahue, the Choir Director, that gave a pleasant balance to the program. Afterwards there was a reception that was provided by the Woman's Guild of St. Bernard's and the Project Light Board of Directors.