TEAM Punta Gorda was founded in November, 2004 with the goal of rebuilding Punta Gorda following the devastation of hurricane Charley. Team quickly emerged as a grassroots volunteer organization of more than 2,000 citizens, 350 financial contributors, and 200 active volunteers. The group raised $200,000 and hired world renowned urban planner Jaime Correa who worked with Team volunteers to conduct public workshops to gather grass roots input on rebuilding our community. The outcome was the Citizens' Master Plan 2005, a visionary document which continues to inspire the redevelopment of Greater Punta Gorda. In October, 2005 TEAM incorporated as a nonprofit organization and is recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501-C-3 tax exempt entity.

Once the Citizens’ Master Plan was completed and gifted to Punta Gorda and Charlotte County governments, TEAM Punta Gorda began the process of implementing the plan. A major emphasis was to build a collaborative relationship with City and County governments through volunteer citizen assistance and support in rebuilding our community. One major area of focus was to ensure that the auditorium destroyed by the hurricane would be rebuilt as an impressive gateway to the City. The Charlotte Harbor Conference and Event Center stands as a proud tribute to that vision.

Today TEAM is guided by an active Board of Directors with the support of the Operating Committee. TEAM continues to be a unique and successful organization whose mission is to work with our partners in city and county government to move forward with implementing the Citizens’ Master Plan 2005.