Planned Parenthood receives $50,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Grant to be used to market affordable health care options provided by Planned Parenthood

SARASOTA, FL – Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation during the most recent grant cycle. These funds are designated for marketing purposes, to enable Planned Parenthood to raise awareness of its many affordable health care services.

The grant will help the local Planned Parenthood to implement its new branding campaign, titled “Someone You Know.” It is designed to reach out to those who are not currently aware of or taking advantage of the affordable health care options and services provided by the nonprofit health care organization. The focus is on health care that extends beyond the core birth control and reproductive health care services for which Planned Parenthood is already well known – for services such as annual physical and OB/GYN exams, STD/HIV testing, breast exams, hormone replacement therapy, and vasectomies.

“For many of our patients, Planned Parenthood is the only health provider they need – and can afford. With the assistance of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we will be able to better target those who are uninsured or underinsured, unemployed or underemployed, or just struggling to cover their basic health care needs,” said Planned Parenthood President/CEO Barbara A. Zdravecky.  “We are grateful to Gulf Coast for its commitment to creating a healthier and more well-informed community.

In addition to traditional media outlets – print publications, on the radio and TV, and public spaces such as billboards and bus shelters – Planned Parenthood will invest in social media and web-based interactive marketing strategies to better reach its target demographic, ages 18-34.

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Inc., an affiliate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. began operations in 1966 and presently provides vital reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education to women, men and teens in Sarasota, Manatee, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, Lakeland and Winter Haven. The mission of Planned Parenthood is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing direct services, education and advocacy. Go to http://www.myplannedparenthood.org/ for further information or call (941) 365.3913.

About Gulf Coast: Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, it has welcomed more than 500 charitable funds established by generous donors and invested more than $126 million in grants in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic and economic development, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.