Suncoast Searchlight awarded Gulf Coast grants to grow newsroom and host public events

Suncoast Searchlight has received two major grants from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support its growth and deepen its connection with the community.

The grants will fund two key initiatives.

A $150,000 grant made possible through the Nancy Jo Marchisello Charitable Fund will allow Suncoast Searchlight to hire a reporter dedicated to covering local government and politics.

A second grant, for $25,000, will be used to host a series of community engagement events aimed at strengthening civic awareness and increasing public access to watchdog journalism.

“These grants mark a major milestone for us,” said Emily Le Coz, executive editor-in-chief of Suncoast Searchlight. “They allow us to grow our newsroom, deepen our coverage of local government and bring our reporting directly into the community through events and outreach. We’re incredibly grateful to Gulf Coast Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of our mission.”

Suncoast Searchlight is a nonprofit newsroom focused on investigative and accountability journalism in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. It launched on Feb. 21, 2025 with a mission to shine a light on the issues that matter most to the Suncoast by producing bold, investigative journalism that informs the public, exposes wrongdoing and holds power to account.

Since its debut, the newsroom has published more than 50 original stories and dozens of fact briefs, and has partnered with other media outlets to expand the reach and impact of its work.

The newsroom’s investigations have explored issues ranging from Sarasota County’s neglected stormwater infrastructure to the impacts of development decisions on local residents. Its work has been republished by dozens of media outlets and has already led to significant public dialogue and government responses.

The new reporter is expected to start this fall and will focus on covering city and county commissions, elections, transparency and the use of public resources. The community engagement series — launching later this year — will include public conversations, Q&A sessions and live forums designed to connect residents with reporters and the issues affecting their lives.

“Trust is built when communities are informed, engaged, and heard,” said Phillip Lanham, President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “This partnership with Suncoast Searchlight reflects Gulf Coast’s commitment to bold and proactive philanthropy that strengthens civic connection and fosters transparency. Together, we’re supporting local journalism that not only informs but empowers our residents.”

This story was produced by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom of the Community News Collaborative serving Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org.