In June of 1998, the Manatee Community Foundation was incorporated and classified as a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, capitalizing on its administrative and investment services.

As part of an initiative to start, support and grow community foundations in its 26 newspaper communities, the Knight Foundation challenged the new Manatee Community Foundation’s board to raise the first $ 1 million of endowment funds for Manatee County.