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NewsSuncoast SearchlightOctober 27, 2026Manatee County

Gulf Coast Community Foundation awards $12,500 grant to Suncoast Searchlight for its second speaker series season

Photo: Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight received a $12,500 grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to fund the second year of its Searchlight Series public events. Former New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet is scheduled to kick off the new season on Nov. 19 with a discussion on journalism and politics at The Graham in Sarasota.

JournalismCivic EngagementCommunity EventsLocal NewsPhilanthropy
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Why It Matters

Residents gain continued access to free public discussions and workshops focused on journalism, government accountability, and regional issues.

Key Facts

  • Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded Suncoast Searchlight a $12,500 grant to fund the second year of the Searchlight Series.
  • The second season begins on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. with former New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet speaking at The Graham in Sarasota.
  • The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required due to limited space.
  • The first year of the series featured events drawing hundreds of residents to discussions on development, government accountability, and environmental challenges.
  • Suncoast Searchlight operates as a registered fictitious name of Community News Collaborative, Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation.

Who's Mentioned

locationVenice“City where a standing-room-only Searchlight Series event was held”locationTallahassee“Seat of Florida state government”PersonKara Newhouse“Photographer for Suncoast Searchlight”PersonPhillip Lanham“President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation”OrganizationCommunity News Collaborative, Inc.“Florida nonprofit corporation operating Suncoast Searchlight”locationSarasota“City where Suncoast Searchlight operates and events are held”OrganizationThe New York Times“Major national news organization”OrganizationScience and Environment Council“Partnered on an event discussing regional environmental challenges”locationSarasota Garden Club“Location of a previous Searchlight Series event”OrganizationNancy Jo Marchisello Charitable Fund“Charitable fund through which Gulf Coast Community Foundation helped launch the ”PersonDean Baquet“Former New York Times executive editor speaking at the event”locationThe Graham“Location in Sarasota hosting the Nov. 19 event”PersonEmily Le Coz“Executive editor-in-chief of Suncoast Searchlight”OrganizationGulf Coast Community Foundation“Philanthropic foundation providing financial support”PersonDonald Trump“Former U.S. President whose finances and tax returns were investigated by The Ne”OrganizationSuncoast Searchlight“Local news organization hosting the Searchlight Series”PersonBob Clark“Resident of Venice who attended a Searchlight Series discussion”