Amendment 3 Vote to Test Suncoast Nonprofit Funding
Nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties that rely on county grants could see reduced government support for free services.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Would you support Amendment 3 if it meant fewer local nonprofit services?
Suncoast nonprofits, including NAMI Central Suncoast and United Way Suncoast, warn that Florida's Amendment 3 could reduce local government funding and the services they provide, with the measure on the ballot Election Day, November 3, 2026. The amendment would offer property tax relief for some Florida homeowners, but operators of nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee counties could face less public funding.
Why it matters
Amendment 3 would provide property tax relief for some homeowners, but local governments may face budget cuts that flow to nonprofits relying on county funding. Nonprofits that depend on that money could see demand rise while their revenue shrinks.
The only hard figure in the reporting is that voters will go to the polls in about 12 hours on Election Day, November 3, 2026, to decide Amendment 3. The reporting does not provide dollar amounts of county funding at risk or the number of nonprofits affected.
The players
NAMI Central Suncoast
A local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness that provides free peer support, education, and outreach in Sarasota and Manatee counties, funded in part by those county governments.
United Way Suncoast
A regional nonprofit fundraising and community-investment organization serving the Suncoast area, led by CEO Kourtney Sanchez.
The details
NAMI Central Suncoast relies on funding from Sarasota and Manatee counties to deliver free peer support, education classes, and outreach, and it is already near capacity. If Amendment 3 passes and local governments cut their budgets, nonprofits could lose government funding and may have to shrink the number of support groups and education classes they run. United Way Suncoast CEO Kourtney Sanchez said nonprofits could face less government funding even as more people turn to them for help.
Timeline
2020: Jennifer Propsem first turned to NAMI when her daughter was struggling with serious mental health challenges.
November 3, 2026: Amendment 3 is on the ballot on Election Day, with polls opening in about 12 hours.
Market Landscape
Florida's Amendment 3 is a state ballot measure whose tax relief for some homeowners could flow down to county budgets that fund local nonprofits. Nonprofit operators in Sarasota and Manatee counties are now weighing how a reduction in county funding would reshape their service offerings.
Nonprofit operators in Sarasota and Manatee counties should model a scenario in which county funding declines, and plan for possible reductions in programming if Amendment 3 passes. Operators should also consult qualified counsel or an accountant on how any change in government grants would affect their budgets and reporting obligations.
The takeaway
Nonprofits that rely on county contracts should track the November 3, 2026 vote and the subsequent county budget process closely. Operators should consult qualified counsel or an accountant before adjusting funding assumptions or service commitments.
What happens next
Amendment 3 is on the ballot on Election Day, November 3, 2026, and its outcome will determine whether local governments in Sarasota and Manatee counties adjust funding to nonprofits.
Further reading
For more on how nonprofit funding works across the state, see Philanthropy coverage in Florida.
Live Poll
Would you support Amendment 3 if it meant fewer local nonprofit services?
