Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

The start of a new year always invites reflection, but the dawn of 2026 feels like more than a reset. It is a moment to pause, take stock, and move forward with clarity.

Like many, my family is navigating significant transitions. Children are growing into young adults, routines are shifting, and perspectives are widening. Professionally, I am stepping into the responsibility of stewarding the legacy and future of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, an institution that has helped shape this community for nearly 50 years. That legacy matters deeply, but just as importantly, it never remains static. It is something we actively build, honoring what has led us to the present while remaining responsive to evolving realities and the emerging needs of the future.

Those realities and needs are growing more complex. Many households in our region are living on thin margins, and rising costs, combined with uneven incomes, mean that one unexpected expense can quickly lead to crisis. These pressures may not always be visible, but they shape daily decisions for families and underscore the importance of trusted, locally rooted nonprofit partners.

Two of the Community Foundation’s long-standing initiatives reflect this understanding.

Season of Sharing, now in its 26th year, was created to help neighbors navigate moments of crisis. The continuing need for the campaign, which continues through the end of January, underscores a simple truth: Stability matters, especially when systems are strained. What began as an innovative response decades ago is now a trusted source of support for families facing sudden financial hardship.

The Giving Challenge, meanwhile, has generated more than $92 million in unrestricted support for nonprofits, and it returns for the 10th time this April. By providing resources that organizations can deploy wherever they are most needed, the Giving Challenge supports resilience, adaptation, and long-term capacity rather than short-term fixes.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate that meeting urgent needs and investing in lasting solutions are not competing goals. They are part of the same strategy, one that requires patience, partnership, and a willingness to stay engaged over time.

National conversations in philanthropy increasingly emphasize the importance of trust, long-term thinking, and local leadership. In our area, as Sarasota County celebrates a series of centennial milestones across its cultural and civic institutions, the Community Foundation also stands at a moment of reflection and change. Our mission is to honor the past while remaining a steady presence into the future, supporting the institutions and systems that allow communities to endure and evolve.

For me, 2026 is about being rooted before rising, about being grounded in values, responsive to urgency, and committed to stewardship that looks beyond the immediate moment and toward what will matter years from now. I am grateful to be part of a community that understands generosity not as a one-time act, but as a sustained commitment that we all make to one another.

As we move forward together, may we stay anchored in what matters most and be ready to rise to what our future requires.

Jessica Muroff is the incoming president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. She begins her role Jan. 20, 2026.

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.