July 10th, 2026 SARASOTA, Fla. — ALSO Youth is honored to announce it has received a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with the majority of funding provided through the McCauley-Brown Fund and additional support from the Robert E. and Lynn Cook Charitable Fund, to expand free mental health counseling, support groups, and behavioral health services for LGBTQ+ youth and their families throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

The funding will help ALSO Youth continue providing barrier-free, trauma-informed mental health services to young people who often face significant obstacles to accessing affirming care. Through partnerships with licensed mental health professionals, support groups, and community-based programming, ALSO Youth works to ensure LGBTQ+ youth have access to compassionate care, trusted adults, and safe spaces where they can build resilience and thrive.

"This investment is about so much more than funding therapy," said Annie Berkness, Executive Director of ALSO Youth. "It's about ensuring LGBTQ+ youth know they are worthy of care, connection, and hope. Every counseling session, every support group, and every young person who finds belonging through our programs is possible because of people who believe in investing in the next generation."

The grant continues the remarkable legacy of Richard McCauley and Clayton Brown, whose vision established the McCauley-Brown Fund to support LGBTQ+ youth through scholarships and organizations dedicated to fostering self-esteem while combating hatred and fear. Years later, that legacy continues to make a lasting difference for young people in our community.

Demand for affirming mental health services continues to grow as more youth and families seek support. This funding will help ALSO Youth remove financial barriers by providing counseling and behavioral health services at no cost to participants while strengthening a continuum of care that includes peer support, leadership opportunities, life-skills programming, and community connection.

"Richard and Clayton's legacy reminds us that acts of generosity can continue changing lives long after they begin," Berkness said. "We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the McCauley-Brown Fund for believing in our mission and in the potential of every young person we serve."

About ALSO Youth

Founded in 1992, ALSO Youth empowers LGBTQ+ youth ages 10–24 and their families by providing safe, affirming spaces where they can connect, grow, and thrive. Serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties, ALSO Youth offers free mental health counseling, peer support groups, leadership development, life-skills programming, scholarships, outreach, and community-building opportunities that foster resilience, belonging, and well-being. Learn more at www.alsoyouth.org.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of more than $605 million in over 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million last year. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has granted more than $542 million to nonprofits, thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.cfsarasota.org.

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