In 1993 Dorothy S. (Dot) Ridings, a former Publisher of The Bradenton Herald, proposed the concept of Manatee Community Foundation in connection with a potential grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Without adequate time to incorporate the new foundation, the grant was awarded to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, subject to the provision that its assets would be transferred to the Manatee Community Foundation upon its formation.

The Knight Donor Advised Fund was created and was directed by The Bradenton Herald for charitable purposes in Manatee County.