Top Sarasota Family Non-Profit
A Nonprofit Helping Children Grow, Parents Learn, and Families Thrive Across Florida’s Suncoast
Providing accredited early childhood education, expert parenting classes, and child & family therapy — serving more than 5,000 clients in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto Counties.
Stronger Families, Brighter Futures
Building Brighter Futures for Over Three Decades
Forty Carrots Family Center has nurtured healthy child development, strengthen families, and built a stronger community across the Sarasota Florida area for over 30 years.
We emphasize the whole-family approach: early education, parenting groups, and child & family therapy working together across life stages.
Learn about one of Sarasota’s most important and effective
non-profits and how you can help make our impact even better.
Why Support Forty Carrots Family Center?
With your support, Forty Carrots builds on 30+ years of proven success,
reaching more Florida suncoast families every year.
The Need
Why Support Forty Carrots?
More Suncoast Families Need Our Services
In Sarasota, Affluence Masks A Growing Family Crisis
Sarasota is known for prosperity, but a shocking 55% of babies born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital start life in low-income or poverty-level households.*1
Poverty, Stress, and Rising Costs Are Hurting Sarasota’s Children
Families under financial strain are more vulnerable to stress, instability, and mental health challenges, making support services essential.
Our Community Can’t Thrive if
Our Families Are Left Behind
Working parents face rising housing costs and limited opportunities, putting children at risk and straining the foundations of our community.
We Must Act Now to Support Florida’s
Children and Parents
Access to early education, parenting support, and family therapy helps
families break cycles of poverty and build brighter futures.
Results
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Make a Difference Every Day Delivering Results And Lasting Change.
Building Brighter Futures for Sarasota Families,
Delivering Results For Lasting Change
96%
Receive services at little or no cost.
5,603
clients served
in one year
2,843
therapy sessions
provided
1,907
Free mental health and parenting education groups
Delivering Measurable Benefits Across Our Community
Parenting Education
Parents gain skills, confidence, and resilience.
98% of parents report growth in protective factors that prevent abuse and neglect
Mental Health Therapy
Children and families
receive support for emotional well-being.
100% of clients showed measurable progress in home and school settings.
Preschool Education
Accredited early education that builds strong foundations for learning.
28 scholarships awarded last year, supporting 27% of enrolled students.
Outreach
We extend our expertise into the wider community through schools, libraries, and nonprofits.
Services delivered at 30+ community sites, often on behalf of partner organizations.
What Parents Are Saying About Forty Carrots.
I now have…
I now have tools for parenting I never had before… it has changed how I deal with my children.
– Parenting Education
Life-Changing…
This program has been truly life-changing for our family.
– Mental Health
Our daughter…
Our daughter has blossomed… we see the foundations of all her learning being laid.
– Preschool
Opening of the Parenting Education and Child + Family Therapy Center
Expanding Parenting Education and Family Mental Health Services
Now Open!
Together, We Made This Center a Reality
Thanks to overwhelming community support, Forty Carrots completed a 10 million dollar Generations of Change campaign, creating a new 6,900 sq. ft. campus at 1350 Cattlemen Road.
The new facility includes a Mental Health Center with 6 therapy rooms and a Parenting Center with family spaces and program offices, designed to meet the rising demand for services. Since 2020, mental health services have grown over 70%, with projections to double in the next five years, while parenting education is expected to grow by 30%.
Reach
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Extended Reach For Essential Services Across The Suncoast and Beyond
With two campuses, dozens of community sites, and partnerships with more than 20 agencies, Forty Carrots scales its work to reach thousands of children and families each year — far beyond the walls of our buildings.
2
Campuses
Serving Families
18
Formal
Partnerships
30+
Schools, Libraries and non-profits where services are delivered
25%
Service Growth Goal
under new
Strategic Plan
Partnerships
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Collaboration That Multiplies Our Impact
18 Partners. Thousands of Families Reached.
Through collaborations with schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and nonprofits, Forty Carrots brings education and therapy into the heart of Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Partners describe our expertise as “priceless,” filling critical gaps they cannot meet on their own.
Every dollar raised supports these critical collaborations, bringing essential education and mental health services to thousands of children and parents who otherwise would go without.
Collaboration …
Our collaboration is essential in breaking the cycle of violence in future generations.
– SPARCC CEO
Excellence
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Community support drives excellence.
Your generosity continually raises the bar for early education, parenting support, and mental health services.
GuideStar Platinum Transparency 2025
Charity Navigator Designation
Best Places to Work
(3 Years Running)
Impact…
The greater impact of Forty Carrots will be felt for generations to come.
– Donor
Feeling valued as a parent…
My words equal my baby’s inner voice: safe parenting, feeling safe and secure, and feeling valued as a parent and a mom.
– Survivor of domestic violence
Invaluable partner…
Forty Carrots Family Center has been an invaluable partner in supporting the mental health and well-being of the girls and families we serve.
– -Lina Noon Rakow, MSW, Program Director, Pace Center for Girls
Transparency
Why Support Forty Carrots?
We Are Transparent, Accountable, and All Contributions Are Focused on Families
93%
Of budget goes directly to services for families
79%
Of revenue comes from contributions, events and grants
All We Do Depends On Community Funding
93% of every dollar goes directly to program services. And with 79% of our funding coming from a combination of grants, community contributions, and events, it’s clear: Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto County, families rely on community generosity to access the essential services Forty Carrots provides.
Our efficiency and transparency mean every gift matters. With most of our funding coming from community contributions, your support directly fuels the programs that strengthen children and families every day.
Donor support isn’t just helpful — it’s essential.
The majority of our revenue comes from community generosity, and 93% of those funds go directly into services for families.
Maximizing Every Dollar for Sarasota Families
Forty Carrots Family Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a GuideStar Platinum Transparency rating and recognition from Charity Navigator as a trusted nonprofit.
We invite you to explore our full nonprofit credentials, including annual reports, financial statements, and impact documentation — proof of our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Contribute
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Invest in Florida’s Children Today
Every Gift Makes a Tangible Difference.
Every donation — no matter the size — has a direct impact on Sarasota families.
$50
supports a parenting education session
$250
provides a therapy session for a child in crisis.
$1,000
contributes to scholarships for early childhood education.
Your support ensures every child has access to early education, parenting support, and family therapy — essential resources that build stronger families and a brighter community.
Invest in Sarasota’s Children, Build Brighter Futures
Donate Now to Strengthen Families.
Forty Carrots Family Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Official Registration: CH13543.
Why Others Choose to Give:
•93% of budget goes directly to programs
•Serving 5,000+ clients each year
•GuideStar Platinum Transparency rating
•Proven impact in early education, parenting, and therapy
•Recognized as one of Sarasota’s Best Places to Work
Have questions about how to best support our work?
Call us at 941.365.7716
Welcomed by the warm staff and introduced to a community of parents…
Forty Carrots has been a wonderful resource on our journey as new parents, and we are thrilled to support it in turn. Having moved to Florida just before the birth of our daughter, we were feeling isolated and unsure of how best to engage with her during those toddler days. Someone suggested checking out local library events, and that’s where we first discovered Forty Carrots through its Partners In Play® program. Walking into these sessions, we were immediately welcomed by the warm staff and introduced to a community of parents and children dealing with many of the same situations we were. In the process we’ve shared advice, made friends, and felt more prepared in taking those early steps as a family.
– Will Phan, Donor
Community
Why Support Forty Carrots?
Celebrating Community, Connection, and Support
At Forty Carrots, we believe supporting families should bring people together. Our community events — from our signature Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser to everyday celebrations of learning and growth — combine joy, connection, and purpose.
Wine
Women & Shoes
Funds raised annually to support programs
Attracts
+450
attendees.
