For more than a century, community foundations in the United States have helped chart the philanthropic future of their own regional constituencies. On the anniversary of the foundation concept, a pair of Sarasota leaders was at the White House discussing what role organizations will play in the nation’s coming days.

President Barack Obama, in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, on Tuesday hosted more than 100 community foundation leaders in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of The Cleveland Foundation, an Ohio-based organization that established the model for community foundations across the county. 

“This convening was all about transforming lives in our communities,” said Teri A. Hansen, President and CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  “We are interested in promoting new ventures that benefit our communities as well as provide a financial return.” 

The guest list also included Roxie Jerde, president of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Other Florida leaders represented the Miami and Tampa Bay areas.

In a statement, President Obama said community foundations were powerful examples of American innovation. “By offering critical support and new opportunities in communities of all sizes—from remote towns to bustling cities and tribal nations—they bring comfort and care to those in need and instill in community members a sense that they can help improve the world around them,” Obama said in the statement. “Community foundations promote accountability and effectiveness in charitable giving, and the investments these organizations make today help find solutions that will shape the nation we leave to our daughters and sons.”

Hansen said the convening of leaders drove in to her how important it is that foundations take on leadership roles in guiding communities to a stronger future.

“Impact investing works well when public and private organizations invest together to generate measurable results,” she said. “It reaffirmed for me that Gulf Coast should continue to focus on impact investing as the most effective way to keep our region vital.” 

We in Sarasota are privileged to be surrounded by breathtaking scenery and myriad dining options. We are also lucky to have a plethora of excellent hotel options for visiting guests and spur-of-the-moment staycations. The even better news is that many of the hotels in our small city offer a combination of views, accommodations and restaurants that leave us spoiled for choice. Jack Dusty at the Ritz Carlton offers exciting craft cocktails and succulent seafood with a water view and H2O Bistro at Hotel Indigo serves stunning seasonal specials and the best homemade cheesecake in town. I recently had the pleasure of dining at Currents at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota and high ceilinged, bi-leveled restaurant with large windows and clean white and green and wood furnishings make for a chic backdrop to the fresh local comfort cuisine put forth by Executive Chef Kory Foltz and his team. The menu will be changing soon to reflect the season but, for now, I recommend you hasten to try the utterly addictive Crispy Brussels with Roquefort Vinaigrette or the rustic Half Chicken with White Bean Cassoulet.  

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, 941-953-1234

Robrady Design announced the addition of Matthew Vergin as its new industrial designer. A graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Vergin has worked as a freelance designer for more than five years. As an industrial designer at the studio, Vergin will be responsible for brainstorming and developing beautiful product experiences which may range from giving an existing product an updated aesthetic to working with the team to conceptualize and develop entirely new product programs. 

ROBRADY Design

The law firm of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen and Ginsburg announced the addition of Anthony J. Manganiello III as a new associate attorney. He officially joined the firm in October and has a diverse litigation practice. Specifically, Manganiello practices in the following areas of law: Civil Rights, Class Actions, Contracts, Environmental Law, Government, Insurance, International Law, Labor and Employment, Libel, Slander and Defamation, Medical Malpractice, Natural Resource Law, Personal Injury, Products Liability, Toxic Torts, Workers Compensation, Zoning, Planning and Land Use. 

Icard Merrill

Kerkering, Barberio and Company announced Denise Salas has passed all three parts of the Special Enrollment Examination to obtain her designation as an Enrolled Agent. As an Enrolled Agent, she has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Denise began her career with Kerkering Barberio in December 2000 and her primary areas of practice are in accounting and payroll. 

Kerkering Barberio Financial

SRQ Media is pleased to partner with Ringling College of Art and Design in a media exchange with one goal in mind: engaging both of our audiences in the local creative community. Landline, the student newspaper-turned website of relevant information for the entire campus community, will also feature arts, culture, design, architecture and networking events in the community curated by the editorial team of SRQ DAILY. The goal is to engage students, faculty, prospective students, alumni and recruiters with the local Sarasota and Bradenton creative class. Robson Tan, second year Advertising Design student and Editor in Chief of Landline, notes its potential to connect prospective students to the campus community: “We want to be a source of information that can help them better understand the college and be interested in us.” SRQ Daily will promote upcoming Ringling College related happenings weekly (including gallery openings, student art, performances and the like) in a dedicated promotional column called @Ringling. This exchange of information represents an extended invitation to the community to explore Ringling College, get to know the incredible talent on campus and enjoy the creative work of the student body. Look for upcoming Ringling events in upcoming SRQ Daily editions. To find out more about Landline, visit our blog for details. 

http://srqinsidethebrand.com/2014/12/02/ringling-college-of-art-and-design-and-srq-media-join-forces/