Who Are We?

The Sarasota Military Officers Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization administered by the Board of the Military Officers Association of Sarasota (MOAS) strives to be an active part of the Greater Sarasota area community by aiding those who have served their country, including active duty military and veterans. It supports veterans financial aid programs at various colleges and technical schools and is actively engaged in a Support our Troops program.

The Scholarship Program

The Foundation annually awards merit and JROTC leadership scholarships to deserving graduating Greater Sarasota area high school seniors. Please click on the Scholarship tab (above) for a description of the scholarship requirements and copies of the applications.

The Veterans’ Program

In 2014 the Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a scholarship program for honorably discharged veterans attending accredited local colleges and technical schools.

These veteran Scholarships are need-based and are awarded in coordination with the participating institutions’ financial offices.  We are presently supporting veterans’ programs at The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, The State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, and Manatee Technical Colleges East and West.

Veterans in need of financial assistance attending one of these schools are invited to contact the appropriate financial aid office.

Support Our Troops

Our Support Our Troops (SOT) program was initiated at the beginning of the Iraq War (2003) when we became aware that there were no comfort items available for our troops.  Since then, we have sent over 50,000 packages to our soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen stationed in forward operating areas of Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are continuing our work with the help of students from area high schools, local churches, and organizations, as well as participants in Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades where we distribute boxes and shipping information to those wishing to send their thank-you parcels to our military men and women serving in harm’s way. For more information: Support Our Troops

JROTC Support

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and/or middle schools across the United States and United States military bases across the world. The program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act.  

The purpose of the JROTC is “to instill in students in secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. 

Upon recommendations made by the Senior Military Instructor (SMI) at each participating school, the Foundation recognizes outstanding cadets with checks and medals during award ceremonies.  The Foundation also provides funds to support individual JROTC projects and, if needed, for disadvantaged students to participate in various JROTC activities. At present, the Foundation supports JROTC in five area high schools. 

Our Chapter supports the JROTC Units at the following schools:

• Booker High School
• Sarasota High School
• Riverview High School
• Sarasota Military Academy
• Venice High School