A $1 million grant from Raymond James will strengthen United Way Suncoast’s ability to help families and communities across the region prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and other emergencies.
The Raymond James Relief Fund will support United We Emerge, United Way Suncoast’s disaster resilience initiative focused on strengthening coordination among nonprofits, government agencies, funders, and other community partners. The fund will give United Way Suncoast additional resources to respond as needs emerge, fill gaps in existing assistance, and support mid- and long-term community recovery.
“Raymond James’ investment gives us greater capacity to respond quickly, bring the right partners to the table, and make sure resources reach our neighbors when they need them most,” said Kourtney Sanchez, CEO of United Way Suncoast.“We know recovery doesn’t end when the immediate crisis passes. This support will help us stay with communities for the long term while also building the relationships and systems that make our region more resilient before the next emergency occurs.”
Recent storms demonstrated the need for that sustained approach. Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, United Way Suncoast raised $1.2 million for disaster recovery and distributed the funds through grants to nonprofit partners across its five-county region. Those investments supported immediate and longer-term needs ranging from food, shelter, home and business repairs, and mental health services to child care, car repairs, medical equipment, household essentials, and emergency preparedness. Together We Recover funding has served more than 148,000 individuals and 56,000 households.
United Way Suncoast defines disasters broadly, including natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires, to government shutdowns, public health crises, and other emergencies that can overwhelm local resources. Its response places particular emphasis on ALICE households, or those that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and who have little financial cushion when an unexpected crisis occurs. Nearly half of all families in our Suncoast region qualify as ALICE households.
“As a longtime United Way partner, Raymond James is proud to invest in their ability to lead critical response for our community in times of need,” said Scott Curtis, Chief Operating Officer, Raymond James. “This grant will help ensure families and local organizations have access to support before, during, and after times of crisis. Strong partnerships like this help communities emerge stronger and better prepared for the future.”
United Way Suncoast serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. Through United We Emerge, the organization mobilizes resources, connects residents with assistance, coordinates volunteers, expands funding and grant programs, and facilitates communication among organizations responding to community needs. United Way Suncoast also works with Community Organizations Active in Disasters (COADs) and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs) throughout the region and leads a five-county Disaster Resilience Cohort that brings together nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and community partners.
The Raymond James Relief Fund will build on that network and give United Way Suncoast additional flexibility to address emerging needs that may not be covered by other resources. Grants awarded through the fund will be evaluated by United Way Suncoast staff to ensure proper use, with results reported to Raymond James.
Bringing organizations together in times of crisis has been part of United Way Suncoast’s work for more than a century. After a devastating storm in 1926, its predecessor organizations, the Tampa Welfare League and Community Chest, helped coordinate relief efforts across Tampa and mobilized member agencies to serve families in need. A century later, that commitment to bringing partners together to help the community prepare, respond, and recover remains part of United Way Suncoast’s DNA.
“Whether our neighbors are recovering from a natural storm or facing one of life’s daily storms, we want them to know their community is behind them,” Sanchez said. “This partnership with Raymond James will help ensure we can continue to respond when needs emerge and strengthen our region for whatever comes next.”
About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast mobilizes communities to action for all. We give families and community members across our five-county footprint the “Freedom To Rise.” Founded in 1924, we enter our second century of service with a decided focus on uniting the region to generate support for hard-working families that stand one unexpected expense away from dire circumstance. We elevate early learning, energize middle school and high school youths and empower community members through financial security. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties by investing in services and programs that help people create the lives they imagine for themselves. We enhance the community by addressing emerging needs such as natural disasters, and we expand the capacity of our nonprofits to help our impact ripple through the region. Along the way, we lead, convene and collaborate with corporate supporters, individual donors, nonprofit partners and valued volunteers because we know – United We Rise, United We Win.
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. Total client assets are $1.97 trillion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.