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SRQ DAILY Sep 2, 2017

"As Americans, we should be concerned that the United States ranks 16th out of 36 developed countries in the percentage of workers age 25 through 34 who hold a postsecondary credential."

- Jennifer Vigne, Education Foundation of Sarasota County
 

[Community]  Defending Philanthropy
Roxie Jerde, roxie@cfsarasota.org

Over this last week, billions of dollars have been generously donated by people, businesses and organizations from all across our nation to support our fellow Americans in need who are recovering, and will be for some time, from the disastrous effects of Hurricane Harvey. It’s no surprise. The idea of giving back and lending a helping hand is a tenet deeply ingrained into our spirit as Americans; it is a natural first instinct for many. However, one would not think that philanthropy is a concept that has to be actively defended.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to be part of a consortium of more than 100 community foundations from around the country that make up the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative, voicing its support of tax reform that protects charitable giving. Over the last few years, the initiative has actively worked to brief elected officials and staff members on key philanthropic issues and the vital role community foundations play to strengthen communities through the power of philanthropy.

Earlier this year when I visited Washington, D.C, our lobbyist that leads the Community Foundation Public Interest Awareness Initiative, arranged 11 meetings on the “Hill” for me to meet with key staffers and representatives from the Senate Finance and the House Ways and Means Committees. While it was a whirlwind day and a half of meetings, I loved telling the story of what generosity has accomplished in our own community and why it is imperative we protect charitable giving in the upcoming tax revisions.

An area that is also important to community foundations is the ability to accept gifts of appreciated property and closely held stocks, which is vital to investing charitable dollars back into the community. I urged those I met with from Congress not to dramatically alter these rules, which could deter people from giving back. With current legislature, community foundations are able to facilitate these gifts and then work closely with donors to support the numerous local nonprofits they care about. Maintaining the full scope and value of the charitable deduction is imperative.

In addition to defending philanthropy in its current state, it’s also vital to ensure that leaders correctly leverage philanthropy and steer it positively into the future. I am honored to represent the Community Foundation of Sarasota County as a Trustee for the Southeastern Council of Foundations, which serves more than 350 foundations of all types across the southeastern states. In November, the Council will convene hundreds of the top philanthropic leaders on the topic of “Forecasting Philanthropy’s Future,” bringing together foundations to collaborate on how to increase regional grant making impact and empower transformational community change moving forward. Stay tuned for what I’ll share with you over the coming months.

As we look to a future that may entail less government funding for community needs, philanthropy will be called upon to do even more. If charitable giving is negatively impacted by tax legislation, it could be a “perfect storm” of increased needs and decreased funding. With a “DNA” of amazing generosity in our community, we need to ensure philanthropy will continue to be strong and robust to meet community needs today and for generations to come. I thank those of you who are already being the ones to make a difference in our community, whether it’s with your time, talent, or treasure, and I welcome you to contact me to share your thoughts on how we can make more progress through philanthropy moving forward.

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

[Education]  Graduating with Purpose
Jennifer Vigne, jvigne@edfoundationsrq.org

Most of us would agree that obtaining a high school diploma is a fundamental requirement that must be obtained but still offers no guarantees. Completing a postsecondary credential has never been more important as it creates margins of opportunities for job stability and growth, economic competitiveness and social mobility. As Americans, we should be concerned that the United States ranks 16th out of 36 developed countries in the percentage of workers age 25 through 34 who hold a postsecondary credential. According to the Lumina Foundation, since 2011 the U.S. economy has added 11.5 million new jobs for workers with postsecondary education but only 80,000 of those new jobs are for those with a high school diploma or less. The case is clear: we need to help our students not only graduate from high school, but with a realistic and achievable plan and purpose to pursue some level of postsecondary education whether via technical school, community college or a four-year college or university.

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County, in partnership with Sarasota County Schools, is committed to provide resources to students and families to help with this journey. With private philanthropic support, the Education Foundation is exposing more middle school students to career explorations with area businesses. Set to begin in January, the Education Foundation is also working with the Cross College Alliance—a network of seven area colleges, including Ringling College of Art and Design, University of South Sarasota-Manatee, and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota—to provide college field trips for middle school students to local campuses. Research strongly supports the value placed on such activities in terms of the students’ college aspirations as a result of college visits. Thus, we are in strong alignment with Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden that if students can transition from middle school to high school with an aspirational plan they will be better prepared to enroll in the appropriate classes that correlate to their individual goals for postsecondary.

The Education Foundation also recently gave more than $65,000 in financial support to Sarasota County Schools to provide Naviance to all eight area middle schools. Naviance is a college and career readiness platform that helps students connect their academic achievements to post-secondary goals, and includes college and career curriculum that will be used for weekly instructional time for all 6-8th graders. Unquestionably, the more we can engage students to think critically and strategically about their future, the better they will prepare for the inevitable.

An exciting and not to be missed event this week is the 2017 Fall College Night at Robarts Arena featuring nearly 100 colleges and university representatives. This free event, scheduled from 6-8pm on Thursday, Sept. 7, is open to all area high school students and provides an opportunity to personally interact with college admissions counselors and university representatives. The Education Foundation looks forward to being at College Night to support students and their families with information on how to prepare, engage and explore colleges, find scholarships and discover the resources needed to successfully navigate this important journey.

We are most excited to announce another tool for all students and families as they plan and pursue their postsecondary goals. Our new website—launchyourplan.com—will be a comprehensive resource for students and families to access invaluable information and guidance on college and careers. The Education Foundation will continue to expand this website over time, and we encourage feedback from students and families to ensure that this website is the most useful and comprehensive college and career resource out there.  As a member of NACAC, National Association of College Admissions Counselors, we are determined and proud to be your one-stop resource to help students in Sarasota plan and prepare for the future.

The Education Foundation depends on philanthropic support to support this critical initiative and we extend our heartfelt thanks to our Champions in Education which includes other foundations as well as individuals and business partners. We invite you, and our community colleagues, to join us towards realizing this important mission—TOGETHER. 

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

  



[SCOOP ]  Shoes for Houston

Fleet Feet Sports has launched Shoes for Houston to collect new and barely-worn shoes and new socks for those affected and displaced by Hurricane Harvey. 170 Fleet Feet Sports stores around the country are accepting donations to be sent to the Fleet Feet Sports location in San Antonio, Texas where they will work with staff at the Fleet Feet Sports locations in Houston to facilitate distribution of all collected items. Donations are being accepted now through September 10 at the Sarasota location located at  711 S. Osprey Ave, Suite 1, Sarasota, FL 34236 (across from P.F. Chang’s). Please ties the shoes are donating together and label the heels with gender and size. 

Fleet Feet Sarasota

[KUDOS ]  Friendship Centers Receives 2017 Senior Vision Media Award

Friendship Centers received the 2017 Senior Vision Media Award at the Florida Council on Aging Conference in Orlando. The award was presented to the Friendship Centers marketing team for their work in creating a new website (friendshipcenters.org) that promotes a positive image of aging. New functions include detailed maps showing each location the Friendship Centers operates, including hours and phone numbers as well as the 19 dining sites offered through its nutrition program.  The team also added large images that make it easier for older adults to simply click on the images rather than text.  

Friendship Centers

[SCOOP]  Gulfcoast South AHEC Announces New CEO

GSAHEC’s Board of Directors appointed Assistant Director, Ansley Mora, to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer.  Mora has been with the organization for over 15 years and has made an incredibly positive impact on the organization. Originally hired in 2002 as the Community Education Coordinator, Mora has served on numerous projects and committees over the years and has helped secure significant grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Prevent Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society and others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida and is currently enrolled in the University of Central Florida’s Masters of Nonprofit Management program.  

Gulfcoast South AHEC

[SCOOP]  Elite Airways Adds Non-Stop Service Between SRQ and HPN

Expanding upon its successful commercial airline routes between Florida and the northeast, Elite Airways LLC announced the addition of new twice-weekly nonstop flights between Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). The new flights will operate on Fridays and Mondays beginning on November 10 with early-bird fares starting at $179 each way. Passengers receive free onboard snacks and beverages, first checked bag up to 50lbs, and no ticketing change fees (see website for details).  

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

[SCOOP]  Goodwill Manasota's Change Series

Goodwill Manasota has expanded its programmatic offerings to include a new speaker series to inspire and empower change in the personal and professional realms. The five-part Change Series will feature speakers who will address topics including emotional health, communication, collaboration, networking and public speaking. The free events will all take through September at the Goodwill Manasota Lakewood Ranch Community Room. 

Goodwill Manasota

[KUDOS ]  Local Volunteers Enhance Children First Venice Location Landscape

On August 31, volunteers from Pulte Homes and BrightView landscape Services Englewood lent a helping hand a green thumb to help enhance the grounds at Children First’s Venice location. They generously donated their time and supplies to give at-risk children and families a beautiful welcome when they arrive at school each day. Dozens of volunteers spent two days trimming trees and shrubs, sprucing up landscaping with new plants boulders, and mulch and installing a new irrigation system. 

Children First

[SOON]  HEALTH: Grey Matters: A Symposium on Alzheimer's Research , September 22, 11am-1:30pm

The Roskamp Institute is hosting a Brain Health and Awareness Symposium this September the 22nd at The Sarasota Yacht Club. The aptly named Grey Matters Symposium will offer a deep dive into current Alzheimer’s research by Institute Directors and will be moderated by ABC7’s Hayley Wielgus. There will be a presentation, interactive panel, and an opportunity for Q & A. For more information or to become a sponsor today please call (941) 552-9832 or visit www.roskampinstitute.org/events.

Sarasota Yacht Club , 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236

SRQ Media Group

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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