In 1993 Dorothy S. (Dot) Ridings, a former Publisher of The Bradenton Herald, first proposed the concept of a Manatee Community Foundation to interested community leaders in connection with a proposed grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. At that time it was deemed impossible to form the new Community Foundation in time to receive the grant. The grant was awarded to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc., subject to the provision that the assets could 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.

Again in the fall of 1995, Mrs. Ridings approached a number of civic leaders about the feasibility of creating a Manatee Community Foundation.  Robert M. Beall II, Chairman and President of Beall’s, Inc., was elected as Chairman of the Steering Committee. The committee learned that logistical and other support would be available from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

However it was not until June of 1998, that the Steering Committee took steps to formalize the Foundation by incorporating and filing for tax-exemption from the Internal Revenue Service. Capitalizing on the administrative and investment services provided by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and to gain from their professional expertise, the Manatee Community Foundation was incorporated as a “supporting organization” under section 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.  In 2006, the Manatee Community Foundation transitioned to a Type 1 Supporting Organization.