Pictured: Donors Elsa and Peter Soderberg celebrate the opening of Heroes’ Village. Photo by Harry Sayer Media.

As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting not just on what we accomplished at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, but on how it all happened. From ensuring families had access to essential meals to creating new housing opportunities, to strengthening community connections, these achievements were made possible by the generosity, trust, and commitment of our donors and partners. Their support continues to drive meaningful change across our region.

Just last month, the federal government shutdown created a gap in food assistance, leaving families across our region without access to nutritious foods. Gulf Coast donors responded immediately, giving more than $600,000 in less than a month to help ensure our neighbors had the support they needed during this time of uncertainty. Their swift generosity demonstrates the power of philanthropy to respond quickly when it matters most.

Gulf Coast also continued progress on critical regional housing issues. Together with fellow local funders, we commissioned the Sarasota Housing Action Plan, produced by the Florida Housing Coalition. The report puts hard numbers behind the current and growing housing shortage in our region and lays out clear strategies and recommended actions to create and preserve affordable housing. Designed as a tool for housing advocates, the Action Plan helps construct a coordinated, collaborative approach to addressing housing needs across Sarasota County.

We released an updated Water Quality Playbook, sharing lessons learned from the first edition and offering the most up-to-date science and solutions to improve water quality in our region. In Florida, especially along the Gulf Coast, every environmental issue is ultimately a water issue. Clean water is not guaranteed. It is a choice we make every day through policy, investment, and stewardship.

We celebrated a major milestone with the Heroes’ Village ribbon cutting. Sarasota’s first permanently affordable housing community for veterans, Heroes’ Village, is now fully occupied, demonstrating both the success of the project and the critical need it addresses. With 20 veterans now housed, Heroes’ Village offers stability, dignity, and belonging, made possible through strong partnerships and donors committed to long-term, life-changing solutions.

The YOU MATTER kindness campaign also brought a different kind of impact. Hundreds of You Matter cards were exchanged across the region, and for one week, kindness truly was the talk of the town. It was a simple reminder that small gestures can spark connection and that building a strong community is about more than bricks and mortar.

As we celebrate the successes of 2025, our focus also turns to what’s next. Initiatives that began this year are coming to life, including Sarasota Station, a 202-unit workforce housing development off Fruitville Road, which is set to break ground next month. Gulf Coast provided an impact investment loan needed to complete the capital stack and bring the project to life. It is a powerful example of how philanthropic investments, used strategically, can unlock solutions that benefit the entire community.

Behind every one of these efforts is an extraordinary group of people. I’m deeply grateful to our Board of Directors, whose leadership and strategic guidance help steer Gulf Coast with purpose and accountability. I’m equally inspired by the dedication, creativity, and mission-driven focus of the Gulf Coast staff, whose work ensures that donor intent is honored and community impact is maximized. Together, their shared commitment makes it possible for generosity to translate into real, lasting change.

As we look ahead to 2026, I am thankful to our donors, partners, and team for believing in what is possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where generosity fuels progress, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Phillip P. Lanham is President | CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  

Pictured: Donors Elsa and Peter Soderberg celebrate the opening of Heroes’ Village. Photo by Harry Sayer Media.