WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2026
MICHAEL'S ON EAST, 1212 S. EAST AVENUE, SARASOTA
GIVING TREE PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION—10:30AM-11AM
LUNCHEON PROGRAM —11:30-1:30PM
The Annual Giving Coast Luncheon celebrates the independent sector in the Sarasota and Manatee region featuring the Philanthropic Agenda With Community Foundations and the Good Hero Awards Program. This year, our regional community and private foundations met to discuss topics they felt would be signficant to bring to the progam. The following two themes emerged:
2026 Panel Discussion Topic #1
As America celebrates 250 years, what role did philanthropy play in cultivating
our civic lives and what role will it play in the future?
2026 Panel Discussion Topic #2
Foundations outlast individuals, election cycles and disasters. How do foundations focus on the long-term,
and what results have we seen because of this view?
2026 Panel Discussion Topic #3
With Florida's CS/CS/HB 797 in effect how does this bill change the governance, liability, membership rights,
mergers, conversions and enforcement across the nonprofit sector?
The luncheon will culminate with the SRQ Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Program at which we will honor the incredible individuals who have meaningfully impacted our community for good in the past year— from nonprofit leaders to philanthropically-minded for profit companies.
PHILANTHROPIC AGENDA PANEL DISCUSSION—AUDIENCE Q&A
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE
As we prepare for the interactive and highly anticipated Philanthropic Agenda Panel Discussion, we invite luncheon attendees to be part of the conversation by submitting questions for our panel in advance.
Questions may be directed to the panel as a whole or to a specific panelist. The SRQ Team will thoughtfully review and curate submissions to help guide a meaningful discussion during the luncheon. Click below to submit your question.
The moderator will take question submissions through Thursday December 3, 2026.
HONORING THE SRQ GOOD HERO
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT
SRQ MEDIA is proud to honor Dr. Larry R. Thompson, Former President of Ringling College of Art and Design, as the 2026 Good Hero Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. During his 26-year tenure, Dr. Thompson helped transform Ringling College into a world-renowned art and design institution while championing creativity, innovation and opportunity across the Sarasota community. His visionary leadership and lasting impact on arts education, cultural engagement and the region’s creative economy embody the spirit of the Good Hero Awards.
TICKETS LIVE NOW
SRQ MEDIA, powered by the Giving Coast, is proud to reintroduce The Giving Heart
—a collective art installation celebrating the generosity, compassion and
community spirit that define Sarasota and the Gulf Coast.
Created as a visual tribute to the people and organizations who give so much to our region,
The Giving Heart invites community members, nonprofit partners, volunteers, philanthropists
and friends of the Giving Coast to contribute a small item that represents gratitude,
service, generosity, mission or meaningful connection.
These items may be simple or symbolic—notes, photos, ribbons, fabric, charms,
tokens or other small objects that tell a story. Whether it reflects a personal moment of giving,
honors someone who has made an impact, or represents the mission of an organization, each contribution
will become part of a larger installation unveiled at the Giving Coast Luncheon.
Together, these pieces will form one unified work of art—
an expression of the many hands, hearts and stories
that shape our philanthropic community.
Drop-Off Locations
SRQ MEDIA STUDIOS
M-F, 10AM-4PM
331 S. Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
SRQ Booth
at the Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 9am-12Noon
N. Lemon Avenue / Main Street/ State Street
Please note: contributed items will not be returned.
We kindly ask that you do not submit anything of personal or monetary value.
Items must be dropped off by Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
GIVING TREE PROGRAM
AT THE GIVING COAST LUNCHEON
Join us to celebrate our giving culture and help make a year of wishes fulfilled!
Share your nonprofit's wishes for the New Year at the Giving Coast Luncheon.
We invite attendees to bring wishes pertaining to their favorite local charity.
Attendees can write their wishes on special tags provided at the event and hang them on the
Giving Coast Trees placed at each table. From tangible items needed by a local charity
such as books, food donations, children's toys, clothing, pet food, etc.,to volunteer opportunities
within the organization, let us know what your wishes are andwe will post them
in SRQ DAILY starting in the New Year for the community to see and help.
CEO
Michael's On East Ballroom
Michael's On East, 1212 East Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239
For event sponsorship, contact Ashley Grant at ashley.grant@srqme.com
For tickets and programming inquiries, contact Lauren Sutter at lauren.sutter@srqme.com.
For all other inquiries
Contact Us
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SUBSCRIBESRQ Media transforms what it means to live and love local through its portfolio of hyper-local print and online publications including its flagship city regional SRQ Magazine, its documentary, and video production division Moving Stories and non-profit development division Story Project. The SRQ Media team leverages its strong audience footprint to catalyze visionary community programs such as SB2: Regional Symposia Series, Women in Business, SMARTgirl, SkillSHARE and ProjecThinkby engaging individuals to positively impact their hometown of Sarasota and the Bradenton Area situated on the vibrant West Coast of Florida.
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