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SRQ DAILY Aug 5, 2017

"Indeed, Florida stands out among all the other states because it understands the benefits of private higher education in addition to public higher education. "

- Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art & Design
 

[Community]  How Nonprofit Transparency Works for You
Roxie Jerde, roxie@cfsarasota.org

Donating money to an organization is easy, but when you see yourself as an investor in creating good for the people, places, or animals you care about, giving can become even more meaningful.

As a philanthropic leader, I’m often asked by donors around the community how we determine whether or not a nonprofit or one of its programs is a good investment. The solution is simple: be proactive, do research, open up a dialogue and ask questions. Be vigilant on asking how a nonprofit knows their programs are effective and what they can provide as their evidence of success.  

One way this process has been streamlined is thanks to GuideStar, an online tool that collects and shares crucial information about nonprofit organizations. Last month, Dan Pallotta, a renowned entrepreneur, author and humanitarian activist, wrote an article about the importance of a tool like this. In the article, Dan writes:

"Imagine if your car's dashboard had only one big fat gauge, and all it revealed were your fuel costs per mile. Not speed, engine temperature or remaining fuel. Certainly not GPS with route and time to your destination. This is what the state of information has been like for donors giving to nonprofit organizations. The big fat solitary gauge has been cost—the average percent of a donation that goes to charitable programs. No gauge about what good the donation has done, or whether there is any correlation between cost efficiency (which is easily—and often—gamed) and progress or reduction of suffering."

GuideStar seeks to address this problem by allowing nonprofits to provide additional context for the impact of their work and the strength of their organizations and share this information with donors. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to partner with GuideStar to bring this tool at a local level — The Giving Partner — which now has information on more than 600 of our local nonprofits.

We truly believe that giving nonprofits the opportunity to demonstrate their transparency benefits both donors and the organizations themselves. Transparency works for everyone - with increased knowledge in our community about the many factors that indicate success, organizations have the opportunity to demonstrate impact beyond a single metric. This makes for more informed donors, and organizations that are thinking of all of the different ways they can strengthen their work. 

The bottom line is that benefits of transparency go way beyond having more information. A more informed public drives more philanthropy, and the consolidation of giving to the organizations that are making the most impact in our communities. That is how real change is made.

As you consider being the one to make a difference through your time, talent, or treasure, I hope you consider using The Giving Partner as your resource in making an informed investment. Whether you’re shopping for a car, finding a new restaurant to try, or picking your next vacation destination, doing your research is a given practice. Why should it be any different with your philanthropy?

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

[Education]  It's Back to School Time, So Now What?
Jennifer Vigne, jvigne@edfoundationsrq.org

The dog days of summer are ending just as quickly as Tropical Storm Emily blew through Bradenton-Sarasota. For those with school-age children, buying new school backpacks, pencils, binders and school clothes are the purchase du jour. For those who are commuting to work, morning schedules will include a few extra minutes of time to accommodate school buses are on the roadways and children are crossing in school zones. A new pace will soon set in for most if not all of us. So now what?

It’s time to get involved.

Undisputedly, parental involvement is one of the greatest predictors of student success. Many of us know this and, as such, invest very willingly in our child’s education—whether getting to know the child’s teachers, developing a partnership with your child’s school, reading alongside your child, attending parent conferences, or volunteering on a field trip. In whatever way, parental involvement makes a big difference.

As with many things in life, too much can be, well, too much. Over-involvement can also have some negative effects on the child itself. Psychologist Dr. Wendy Mogel, author of The Blessing of the Skinned Knee and The Blessing of the B-Minus, identifies ways using Jewish teachings in which parents can raise self-reliant children. This oftentimes may involve throttling back our exuberance to step in or speak up for our child when they can responsibly do so.

In our whirlwind of back-to-school shopping and re-adjusting to school zone traffic slowdowns, we tend to forget that under-involvement can also be detrimental to a child. With 52 schools in Sarasota County, not all schools have strong parental support. Not all have parent organizations and not all have booster clubs or school foundations. Not all children have someone to read with. Not all children have a role model or mentor to help shape them, and not all children have a personal advocate. A deep dose of reality is that in Sarasota County alone, over 50 percent of students are on free and reduced lunch, nearly 1,000 students are homeless each year, and more than 200 students are homeless and unaccompanied (are not in custody of a parent/guardian and have no parental/guardian support). The need is great indeed. 

If you’re a parent who recognizes and values parental involvement, consider doubling down this year. Find another child who could benefit from your support and spread your contagious zeal! If you’re a member of a strong parents’ association, find out if another school can be “adopted” that may need your support. For those of you who are empty-nesters or grandparents, reach out to Sarasota County Schools volunteer and partnership office and sign up to help. There are many ways in which students can benefit from collective volunteerism, and it all starts with you and one child.

Jennifer Vigne is president of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. 

[Higher Education]  Access Granted
Dr. Larry Thompson, lthompso@ringling.edu

Good news came from Tallahassee just in the nick of time, as Florida’s nonprofit, accredited private institutions of higher education prepare to welcome new and returning Florida students to campus.

What am I talking about? I’m referring to the very innovative program established by the State of Florida 38 years ago known as the William Boyd IV Florida Resident Access Grant (commonly known as the FRAG). This program is a grant program (no requirement for repayment) that provides assistance to pay part of the tuition of a Florida resident student attending an eligible private, nonprofit higher education institution like Ringling College of Art and Design. As a result of this last state legislative session and the approval of the Governor, the amount a student receives for the 2017-18 academic year under this program was increased from $3,000 to $3,300.

We all know that attending a private college anywhere in the country has a large price tag—and Ringling College is no exception. But, every bit seriously helps. And although a $3,300 grant out of a $40,000-plus tuition bill may not seem like a lot, these funds are one critical component of the total financial aid package that our staff in the  Department of Financial Aid put together to ease the financial burden and help alleviate financial stress on students and their families.

Our former elected officials in 1979 had the foresight to begin this program and our current state legislators have the wisdom to continue this creative legacy. Indeed, Florida stands out among all the other states because it understands the benefits of private higher education in addition to public higher education.  

The FRAG program does a number of things that benefit the State. For example, the FRAG saves the State money in overall higher education funding because those Florida students who attend a private university with the $3,300 FRAG means that the state does not have to pay the much higher operating and capital costs of sending the student to a public university. The program also reduces the tuition gap between public and private colleges and increases diversity through the support of all types of higher education in the State.

At Ringling College, some 400 students receive tuition assistance from the FRAG.  In mid-August, we will have nearly 200 new Florida residents in our freshmen class and that means nearly 200 more opportunities for our students to dream bigger, do better and realize their fullest creative potential.  

The expansion of the FRAG by $300 this year is because of the foresight and determination of Florida Senate President Joe Negron and Sens. Bill Galvano and Jack Latvala. In the other chamber of the legislature, Speaker Richard Corcoran and Chairs Larry Ahern, Carlos Trujillo and Liz Porter made sure that the FRAG not only continued but increased. I also want to give a nod to our local Sen. Greg Steube and local Rep. Wengay Newton, who supported this effort as well.

Thank you, Tallahassee. Keep up the good work!

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art and Design. 



[[KUDOS]]  Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club Presents The David R. Mills 'Service Above Self' Award

The Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club awarded Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director of Suncoast Charities for Children, with the first annual David R. Mills “Service Above Self” Award.  This annual award was created to recognize individuals in our local community in memory of longtime Rotarian David R. Mills.  David’s life and service to the Sarasota community was an embodiment of the Rotary’s motto - “Service Above Self”.  The Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Friday at Der Dutchman Restaurant beginning at 7 am. 

Sarasota Sunrise Rotary Club

[[KUDOS]]  Gulf Coast Community Foundation Awards JFCS Grant for Cancer Support & Wellness Program

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast (JFCS) received a $75,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation in support of the JFCS Cancer Support & Wellness Program. The Gulf Coast Community Foundation grant is designated to help provide JFCS funding to continue to provide counseling and supportive services for individuals and families in our service area affected by cancer. JFCS will leverage this grant to help raise additional donations from the community to support its Cancer Support & Wellness Program. The Cancer Support & Wellness Program includes a wide variety of cancer support and networking groups for cancer patients and caregivers, grief support, cancer recovery exercise and therapeutic expressive arts. JFCS has been offering these programs and services since October 2015 when the Center for Building Hope closed its doors. In March 2017, JFCS partnered with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System to expand its wellness and exercise classes for patients, their family members and caregivers at the health system’s HealthFit Center.  JFCS Cancer Support & Wellness programs and support groups are offered in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch and Port Charlotte. 

Jewish Family and Children's Service

[[KUDOS]]  Faith Holiday Builds Agility Course For Donte's Den
Faith Holliday is committed to her community and has attended SRQ’s SMARTgirl luncheon inspired by her mother, Cynthia Holiday, a Woman of Leadership in SRQ’s Women In Business Initiative. Wishing to continue to give back to Sarasota, Faith has been a Girl Scout for nine years and chose to build an agility course for Donte's Den to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. It requires leadership, teamwork, and planning, and must make a lasting difference in the community. Because Faith loves animals, she chose Donte's Den as the recipient of her labor, which includes two jumps, weave poles, and a teeter-totter. Donte's Den is a rescue shelter that takes in all dogs and also takes care of deployed military personnel canine companions. After weeks of planning and building, Troop 600 completed the course.
 

Donte's Den

[[SCOOP]]  InStride Therapy Introduces The Conditioning Team

InStride is a non-profit community foundation dedicated to helping people with physical disabilities through horseback riding. The horses at the facility are gentle mannered and need lots of care to ensure they can facilitate therapy to those in need.  With the help of a long time donor and friend of InStride, the opportunity for volunteer training (Horses Helping Humans Workshop) through Chris Cook, Founder and CEO of  B-C Foundation Station/Wild Horsemanship Center led to the creation of The Conditioning Team. Three volunteers strong at the moment, Mary Ann, Melanie, and Glenda perform different exercises with the horses to keep them connecting to them as leaders as well as offering something different from their usual working routine. It is important for the horses to own their responsibilities and be willing participants. If you would like to contribute to the foundation donations are welcomed but horses Peanut, Grace, and Little Red are in need of sponsors! 

InStride Therapy

[SCOOP]  Yamuna Costa Rican Rainforest Rolling Retreat

This retreat is exactly what you are looking for! A week dedicated to feeling better in your body, healthy eating, good laughs and wholehearted adventure in the Costa Rica Rainforest. The venue Finca Luna Nueva Lodge, is the perfect place to truly unwind and reconnect with nature. Unplug from your busy life as you relax for 7 Days and 6 nights with a daily detailed Yamuna® Body Rolling program, afternoon restorative yoga sessions and soaks in the hot springs.  Yamuna® is a program where your body weight sinks into an exercise ball and as your body elongates traction is created that allows a deep release, giving you the benefits of a full body fitness workout, yoga, massage and healing.  Treat yourself to a week that’s a sanctuary for the soul. Come restore and renew in Costa Rica, because you deserve it. 

Body Rolling Dianne Glass

[[SCOOP]]  New Music New College Announces 2017-2018 Concert Series

The 19th Annual New Music New College season features a retelling honoring Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ concert and a slate of performances that, as always, push the boundaries of contemporary music. The five-concert series opens Saturday, Oct. 7, and again will include Artist Conversations and Pre-Concert Talks. Subscriptions for the entire series are $60 and tickets for individual performances are $15; Artist Conversations are free and open to the public. All performances are on the New College of Florida campus. The season also features two string quartets – one with the traditional instruments, and one with electric guitars – as well as a trio of piano, violin and bass, as well as a performance that uses the human body as an instrument. New Music New College is a program of New College of Florida, the state’s honors college and a national leader in the liberal arts and sciences. The concert series is funded in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development tax revenues. For reservations call 941-487-4888 

New College of Florida

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SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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