Just days after SRQ’s philanthropy-focused December issue arrived, 31-year-old Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife pledged to donate 99 percent of their company stock (worth $45 billion right now) to support causes like public health and education. Much talk since that announcement has centered on the vehicle the young couple chose—a new LLC rather than a traditional foundation or tax-deductible charitable fund. Clearly, changes are coming sooner rather than later to the ways and means of philanthropy and how we solve big problems. We at Gulf Coast Community Foundation embrace those changes.

In fact, we’re running out to meet them. We’ve consistently said (and backed it up with funding) that our region must remain attractive and welcoming to diverse populations, of all ages. It’s the only way we’ll sustainably grow while preserving and enhancing our treasured quality of life. And when it comes to our role as a public charity serving our growing region’s philanthropic needs, we must offer solutions for all generations, Silent to Gen Y. The rise of the Millennials, for one, requires expanded understanding of how and why people give, along with fresh ways to help them act on that impulse.

This month, as we assist scores of Gulf Coast donors in completing year-end gifts that are uniquely personal and important to them, we’re also putting the finishing touches on our Agenda for Impact. An anti–annual report of sorts, this publication is our own pledge for the year ahead. It outlines what we plan to accomplish, together with our donors, in 2016.

That process necessitates looking back, of course, as we’re always building on and learning from initiatives we create and strategies we employ. From crowdfunding to an incentive-grant challenge, we’ve embraced innovative ways to activate our region’s potential. We also recently helped a donor structure and fund a student art competition, along with an endowment to ensure the winning piece’s ongoing care.

That last example nicely embodies our view of philanthropy at Gulf Coast: It’s about change and permanence. We scan the coast for emerging issues and pilot new ways to meet them head on, because of the constants that got us into this business in the first place—love of community, the desire to help.

We’re excited to continue pushing forward all that our community is capable of in the new year. We hope you’ll join us on the journey.

Mark Pritchett is president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.