Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

10/04/2026

“You don’t need a checkbook, you just need a heart.”

Love this profile of community leader, Barancik Foundation Board member, and all-around great guy Ben Hanan, who models what it means to give back to your community.

“It sounds cliché but, when it comes to helping out, I say ‘just do it.’

"If there is an organization or cause you are passionate about or just interested in learning more about, reach out, volunteer, get to know the particular organization or the organizations in town that are doing the work that you’d like to be affiliated with and inquire about how to get involved."

Read the full profile in SRQ Magazine: https://bit.ly/4jwWPzc

10/02/2026

Taylor Ranch Elementary school counselor Chelsea Tuggle is “a remarkable educator whose influence radiates far beyond her formal responsibilities,” says Principal Tara Spielman, who nominated her for our Ripple Effect Teacher Award.

Mrs. Tuggle is often the first to respond when a student needs support, bringing calm, empathy, and exceptional skill to every situation. She conducts home visits for students she worries about, advocates for families in truancy court, and connects those in need with essential community resources. She also co-founded the Taylor Ranch Pom Squad, coaching 40 girls after school as they represent Taylor Ranch in the Venice community.

What makes her truly extraordinary, though, is her humility. “She never seeks recognition; every act of service is rooted in genuine kindness and a deep desire to help others," says Principal Spielman. "Her integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication inspire everyone around her. She may never fully see the reach of her ripple effect, but it is profound, lasting, and life-changing.”

Thank you, Mrs. Tuggle, for all you do for Taylor Ranch students and families!

📸 Sarasota County Schools

10/01/2026

"Heather Bingle brings science to life through hands-on learning experiences that ignite curiosity and deepen understanding," wrote Atwater Elementary principal Mindy Long in nominating Mrs. Bingle for our Ripple Effect Teacher Award. “She transforms required curriculum into authentic, memorable learning.”

Mrs. Bingle's influence extends beyond her classroom. As Atwater’s Everglades Ambassador, she brings high-quality professional learning to campus, ensuring that her passion for science instruction spreads to other teachers. She also runs an after-school Everglades Science Club, organizes the school’s annual science fair, and developed a schoolwide Family Science Night to celebrate science education with the whole community.

“Mrs. Bingle does not simply teach science standards, she cultivates scientists,” added Dr. Long.

Congratulations, Mrs. Bingle!

📸 Sarasota County Schools

09/30/2026

We started last Tuesday at North Port High School surprising assistant principal Eric Bishop with our first Ripple Effect Teacher Award of the day.

Dr. Bishop was nominated in early 2026, when he was serving as a dropout-prevention teacher, 504 coordinator, and the school’s master scheduler.

“Dr. Bishop firmly believes that every student deserves a pathway to success," wrote principal Ryan Shurley and assistant principal Agnes Pelopida in nominating him. "He works tirelessly with students across the spectrum, from those who struggle academically to those striving for elite college opportunities.

"Students who were once at risk of dropping out have remained in school and met GPA, credit, and testing requirements because of the connection they developed with Dr. Bishop. Our school, our students, and our community are immeasurably better because of his work.”

Thank you, Dr. Bishop, for your commitment, care, and leadership!

📸 Sarasota County Schools

09/29/2026

Today, on Margie Barancik’s birthday, we’re celebrating three remarkable Sarasota County Schools educators whose influence ripples throughout and beyond their school communities. 🎉

We recently joined district and school leaders to surprise our fall 2026 Ripple Effect Teacher Award honorees:
-- Heather Bingle, Atwater Elementary
-- Eric Bishop, North Port High School
-- Chelsea Tuggle, Taylor Ranch Elementary

Margie and Chuck Barancik believed deeply in the power of education and in recognizing the professionals who help students succeed. The Ripple Effect award was created in their memory to showcase the best of education in Sarasota County Schools.

We’ll share more fun photos from each surprise award presentation over the next few days. For now, please join us in congratulating Mrs. Bingle, Dr. Bishop, and Mrs. Tuggle! 👏 💙

Read more about our honorees here: https://bit.ly/4juFBCr

09/20/2026

Our most recent grant awards are all about expanding access, strengthening services, and building resilience—for families, organizations, and our environment.

Read about investments in new possibilities ranging from an early learning and family services hub in Arcadia to a new community connector in North Sarasota:
https://barancikfoundation.org/new-grants-aim-to-expand-access-strengthen-services/

We’re excited to see the work ahead from these partners:
YMCA of Southwest Florida
Pines of Sarasota / Pines of Sarasota Foundation
Greater Sarasota Chamber
Trust for Public Land
Mothers Helping Mothers
Parenting Matters
Resilient Retreat
Sarasota County Schools
Big Waters Land Trust
Myakka River Partnership
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College
Literacy Council of Sarasota

Barancik Foundation recently awarded more than $8.7 million in grants that will improve access to education, career opportunities, cultural experiences, and more. Among the largest investments is a grant to YMCA of Southwest Florida to transform the historic Speer Center in Arcadia into a hub for ea...

09/18/2026

What a fascinating story on the work of Mauel Friese MD, the 2025 winner of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research.

Dr. Friese’s work is “reshaping how scientists think about progressive MS, which could lead to novel therapeutic targets.” Implications of the questions he's exploring “could make MS research relevant far beyond one disease — and could bring knowledge from other fields back into MS.”

The Barancik Prize reflects Chuck and Margie’s “long-standing belief that one creative, driven scientist can accelerate progress toward a world free of MS.” Read more about Dr. Friese's innovative research and what it means for people living with MS here: https://bit.ly/4y59oq1

PHOTO: National Multiple Sclerosis Society

09/10/2026

“Students are more likely to thrive when the adults who support them are also doing well.”

That’s why our friends at William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and Resilient Retreat have partnered to provide a series of support programs focused on the needs of parents and caregivers of teens and young adults as those young people embark on the exciting yet stressful next phase of their lives. The virtual sessions, complimentary to anyone in the community, start later this month.

Thanks to SRQ Magazine for sharing our discussion about parents/caregivers getting the support they need during the challenging transition time of youth completing high school years, going off to college, and moving forward with their lives. We love this collaboration with Resilient Retreat! Thank you Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for making it possible. https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2026-09-05/30262_Building-Resilience-for-Parents-of-Teenagers-and-Young-Adults

09/06/2026

🦪 Watch now! Local environmental innovators Oyster River Ecology feature prominently in the latest episode of "This American Land," a PBS program that dives deep into environmental conservation challenges and explores creative solutions. Watch the segment here: https://bit.ly/4xwkXGh

ORE founder Damon Moore and his team book-end a fascinating segment on community-rooted efforts to reverse the collapse of wild oyster populations, “the ecosystem engineers of estuaries and oceans,” along our region’s Gulf Coast.

After prototyping and field-testing dozens of potential restoration tools, Damon “came up with something brilliant in its simplicity, cost, and scalability.” Those characteristics are important, because ORE wants to restore 132 acres of oyster reef in the Manatee River...enough oysters to filter the river’s entire volume in just two days. 🌊