SRQ Vets Resource Hub
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
How to Support Veterans in Sarasota: Give, Sponsor, Volunteer
More Than a Gesture. A Promise.
Veterans in Sarasota Need More Than Awareness
SRQ Vets serves military veterans across the Sarasota and Suncoast region. These are men and women who completed their service and came home to face a different set of challenges: financial instability, housing insecurity, physical limitations, and the often-invisible weight of transition. Our programs are built around practical, immediate needs:- Auto repairs and vehicle donations: keeping veterans mobile and employed
- Mobility ramps and home modifications: making homes safer for veterans with physical limitations
- Utility assistance: keeping the lights on and the water running during financial hardship
- Financial education and budgeting tools: building long-term stability, not just short-term relief
- Community connection: events, gatherings, and programs that combat isolation and build belonging
WAYS TO GIVE
Your Dollars Go Directly to Work
Make a Direct Donation Every dollar donated to SRQ Vets goes toward funding the services listed above. There are no layers between your gift and the veteran it reaches. Direct donations are processed securely and can be made as a one-time gift or an ongoing monthly contribution.
Give Through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
If you hold a Donor-Advised Fund, recommending a grant to SRQ Vets is one of the most efficient and tax-advantaged ways to give. Billions of dollars currently sit unallocated in DAF accounts across the country — funds that were set aside for charitable giving but have not yet been directed to organizations that need them.
SRQ Vets is a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity. Recommending a grant is straightforward:
- Contact your DAF provider (Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, your community foundation, or another sponsoring organization).
- Request a grant recommendation to SRQ Vets.
- Provide our legal name (SRQ Vets) and EIN, available upon request or through public charity databases like Candid.
- Specify your grant amount and confirm the recommendation.
Your DAF provider processes the grant and sends funds directly to SRQ Vets. No delays. No overhead. Immediate impact for Sarasota veterans.
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP
Partner with a Veteran-Serving Organization That Delivers
Sponsoring SRQ Vets is not a transaction. It is a relationship between your business and the veteran community in Sarasota, one that delivers real returns on both sides.
Businesses that sponsor SRQ Vets receive:
- Brand visibility at well-attended community events, including the Annual Memorial Hike and the Annual Cornhole Fundraiser
- Recognition across SRQ Vets’ digital channels and event communications
- Authentic storytelling opportunities that connect your brand to documented veteran impact
- Community equity: the kind of trust that builds in a military-connected community when your name is consistently associated with real service
Beyond visibility, corporate sponsorships of 501(c)(3) organizations like SRQ Vets can carry meaningful tax advantages. Sponsorships structured with defined business benefits; logo placement, event recognition, advertising- are often fully deductible as ordinary business expenses. Consult your CPA for the structure that works best for your situation.
Sarasota has a large and loyal veteran population. The businesses that show up consistently for this community earn a level of goodwill that no ad campaign can manufacture. See the businesses already standing with SRQ Vets at srqvets.org/sponsors/
VOLUNTEER
Show Up. Make a Difference. No Experience Required.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of SRQ Vets. If you have time, a skill, or simply a willingness to be present, there is a role here for you.
Ways to volunteer:
- Administrative support – office tasks, data entry, outreach, and phone support that keep operations running smoothly
- Ramp construction and home modifications – hands-on building projects that directly improve veteran safety and independence
- Fundraising and raffle basket coordination – helping drive donations and support event revenue
- Event planning and on-site support – organizing and staffing community events, veteran gatherings, and outreach activities
- Companionship for elderly veterans – showing up, listening, and being present for veterans who need connection as much as anything else
You do not need military experience. You do not need a specialized skill set. You need a willingness to give your time to people who gave theirs in service to this country.
Volunteers can contribute once a month, once a week, or whenever life allows; every hour matters.
Events
Get Involved in Person
SRQ Vets hosts events throughout the year that bring together veterans, families, local businesses, and community members. These events are not just fundraisers. They are relationship-builders that strengthen the entire Suncoast veteran ecosystem.
Past events have included the Annual Cornhole Fundraiser, a community favorite that raises critical program funds while building camaraderie across the veteran network. Upcoming events include the Annual Memorial Hike, one of the most meaningful gatherings on the SRQ Vets calendar, a shared act of remembrance and community.
Attending, sponsoring, or volunteering at an SRQ Vets event is one of the most direct ways to connect with this mission in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does SRQ Vets provide to veterans in Sarasota?
SRQ Vets provides direct, practical assistance to veterans across the Suncoast region. Current services include auto repairs and vehicle donations, mobility ramp installation and minor home modifications, utility assistance, and financial education and budgeting support. Every veteran’s situation is different. If you need help that falls outside these categories, reach out and SRQ Vets will work to connect you with the right resources.
Who is eligible for SRQ Vets services?
SRQ Vets serves military veterans in the Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Bradenton, Palmetto, Ellenton, and surrounding Suncoast communities. If you are a veteran in need of assistance, contact SRQ Vets directly at 941-777-8387 or info@srqvets.org to discuss your situation.
How do I request help from SRQ Vets?
The simplest way to get started is to reach out directly. You can call 941-777-8387, email info@srqvets.org, or visit the services page at srqvets.org/services/ to learn more. SRQ Vets is led by local veterans serving fellow local veterans, so you will be talking to people who understand what you are navigating.
Are there other veteran organizations in the Sarasota and Bradenton area I should know about?
Yes. SRQ Vets works alongside a broader network of veteran-serving organizations across the region. Local resources include:
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Sarasota
VFW 3233
124 S Tuttle Ave
941-365-1918
DAV 97
Visit Site
American Legion 266
5201 Richardson Rd
941-371-1326
Visit Site
American Legion 30
4015 N Lockwood Ridge Rd
941-360-8719
Visit Site
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Venice/ North Port
American Legion 159
1770 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL
941-488-1157
Visit Site
American Legion 254
6648 Taneytown St, North Port, FL
941-423-7311
Visit Site
DAV 101
Visit Site
VFW 8118
832 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL
941-303-6671
VFW 10178
550 N McCall Rd, Englewood, FL
941-474-7516
VFW 8203
4860 Trott Cir, North Port, FL
941-426-6865
Visit Site
Amvets post 2000
401 Ortiz Blvd, North Port, FL
941-429-1999
Visit site
Amvets post 312
7050 Chancellor Blvd, North Port, FL
941-429-5403
Visit Site
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Manatee
American Legion 312
1610 67th Ave E, Sarasota, FL
941-758-6616
Visit site
American Legion 309
2419 Bayshore Rd, Palmetto, FL
941-722-8689
Visit site
American Legion 24
2000 75th St W, Bradenton, FL
941-794-3489
Visit site
American Legion 325
3412 US-301, Ellenton, FL
941-981-3819
Visit site
DAV 18
Visit site
VFW 12055
941-713-4461
Visit site
VFW 9226
3513 12th St E, Ellenton, FL
941-776-4182
Visit Site
VFW 2488
810 6th St W, Palmetto, FL
941-722-9588
Visit Site
VFW 10141
5105 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL
941-794-6394
Visit Site
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Desoto County
American Legion Post 2
106 W Palmetto St, Wauchula, FL
863-773-2331
Visit site
Amvets Post 60
2856 US-17, Arcadia, FL
863-494-6996
Visit site
How is SRQ Vets funded?
SRQ Vets is a nonprofit organization sustained by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, and grants. Every contribution, whether a direct donation, a Donor-Advised Fund grant, or a corporate sponsorship, goes directly toward funding veteran services in the Sarasota region. SRQ Vets is led entirely by local veterans volunteering to serve fellow local veterans.
Can my business sponsor SRQ Vets?
Yes. SRQ Vets offers structured corporate sponsorship opportunities with defined tiers and benefits, including event visibility, digital recognition, and authentic storytelling opportunities. Sponsorships of 501(c)(3) organizations like SRQ Vets can also carry tax advantages depending on how the arrangement is structured. Visit srqvets.org/become-a-sponsor/ to explore current sponsorship options.
Can I give to SRQ Vets through my Donor-Advised Fund?
Yes. SRQ Vets is a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity eligible to receive DAF grants. Contact your DAF provider, such as Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or your local community foundation, and recommend a grant to SRQ Vets. For detailed instructions, visit srqvets.org/donor-advised-funds-sarasota-veterans/
GET INVOLVE NOW
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you give, sponsor, volunteer, or simply show up at an event, your involvement makes the SRQ Vets mission possible. Sarasota’s veterans are not waiting for someday. They need community support now — and this is how you provide it.