We invite the community to nominate individuals who have made a significant impact to realize the mission of local nonprofit organizations— from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. We will recognize our annual Good Hero Philanthropic Award recipients, who are ambassadors of the incredible giving back spirit in the region, at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda Luncheon and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

Deadline for Nominations: Friday, September 17, 2021 by Midnight

2019 GOOD HERO AWARD HONOREES

Good Hero Honorees from the 2019 Good Hero Philanthropic Awards include: Ann Walborn for Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, donor and philanthropist Robert Bernhard (pictured below with Heidi Brown of the JFCS of the Suncoast and SRQ Executive Publisher Wes Roberts), Barbara Van Essen for the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast, legacy volunteer Suzanne King for Selby Gardens,  Jonna Keller, board member for The Boys and Girls Club Sarasota,  Ann Anderson, board member of Save Our Seabirds, Peter Skokos and Chef Bryan Jacobs for the New Nonprofit Awards and the Corporate Hero Award honoring Rae Dowling.

2018 GOOD HERO AWARD HONOREES

Good Hero Honorees from the 2018 Good Hero Philanthropic Awards include: Melissa Wandall for the Mark Wandall Foundation, the late Arnold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy for their support of the Players Centre for Performing Arts Rosemary studio, Antonia Quiros of Goodwill Manasota, prolific volunteer and philanthropist Phyllis Siskel and, in posthumous recognition, Mark Morin, who served on the board of the State College of Florida Foundation.

In an emotional end to the event, one final award was announced, the Good Hero Corporate Titan Award, recognizing a local business leader who made a conscious choice to put community above profit and give back in a serious way. Accepting the award to a standing ovation in memory of Steve Seidensticker, son Joe Seidensticker gave a heartfelt thanks and call to action in his father’s name. “He believed in helping one person at a time, using the assets that he had. He believed that money is not the only way to change people’s lives… …I hope that when we come together next year, we will be honoring a corporate hero that has touched people’s lives purposefully and measurably, using all the talents and assets at their disposal.”