Just days after SRQ’s philanthropy-focused December issue arrived, 31-year-old Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife pledged to donate 99 percent of their company stock (worth $45 billion right now) to support causes like public health and education. Much talk since that announcement has centered on the vehicle the young couple chose—a new LLC rather than a traditional foundation or tax-deductible charitable fund. Clearly, changes are coming sooner rather than later to the ways and means of philanthropy and how we solve big problems. We at Gulf Coast Community Foundation embrace those changes.

In fact, we’re running out to meet them. We’ve consistently said (and backed it up with funding) that our region must remain attractive and welcoming to diverse populations, of all ages. It’s the only way we’ll sustainably grow while preserving and enhancing our treasured quality of life. And when it comes to our role as a public charity serving our growing region’s philanthropic needs, we must offer solutions for all generations, Silent to Gen Y. The rise of the Millennials, for one, requires expanded understanding of how and why people give, along with fresh ways to help them act on that impulse.

This month, as we assist scores of Gulf Coast donors in completing year-end gifts that are uniquely personal and important to them, we’re also putting the finishing touches on our Agenda for Impact. An anti–annual report of sorts, this publication is our own pledge for the year ahead. It outlines what we plan to accomplish, together with our donors, in 2016.

That process necessitates looking back, of course, as we’re always building on and learning from initiatives we create and strategies we employ. From crowdfunding to an incentive-grant challenge, we’ve embraced innovative ways to activate our region’s potential. We also recently helped a donor structure and fund a student art competition, along with an endowment to ensure the winning piece’s ongoing care.

That last example nicely embodies our view of philanthropy at Gulf Coast: It’s about change and permanence. We scan the coast for emerging issues and pilot new ways to meet them head on, because of the constants that got us into this business in the first place—love of community, the desire to help.

We’re excited to continue pushing forward all that our community is capable of in the new year. We hope you’ll join us on the journey.

Mark Pritchett is president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The greatest challenge a college student encounters should be the academic rigor in the classroom, not navigating the processes it takes to get there. At the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, we have world-class faculty and staff members who can compete with any institution in our region, state and nation, but one area we can and must improve is being more student-centered in how we recruit, advise and serve our students on and off campus. 

At SCF, we believe that you can get anywhere from here. In our 2015-2020 strategic plan’s Strategic Priority No. 2, we are concentrating our efforts to help our students complete their desired program with SCF, move on to continue their education elsewhere, enter their chosen career or advance within an existing job in our community. Although we are only at the beginning, I have set a goal for where we want to be by 2020—a unique and innovative student experience—but we will only arrive there by boldly engaging one student at a time.

We will develop a concierge-style experience focused on enhancing student recruitment and performance outcomes. Students have a great deal of choice today for higher education. We cannot simply sit back and wait for students to choose SCF. This priority builds on Strategic Priority No. 1, to ensure that SCF programs are available to students in all geographic locations of our service region. As we make our programs available, we will make our processes simple and manageable to enroll, retain and graduate our students – the challenge must be in the classroom, not in getting to it. 

Retention and completion rates are key indicators of our ability to effectively engage students and educate them in a way that guarantees the desired result – graduation and a direct pathway to a student’s desired future. Last year the Florida legislature introduced performance funding for the Florida College System, and retention rates and completion rates are two of the measures. SCF finished sixth among the college system’s 28 schools and scored well in those two measures. We are already committed to student success, and through this plan, we will find innovative ways to enhance our abilities.

We will also develop partnerships in our business community to enrich opportunities for students and employers alike. We want businesses that have job openings or require internships to think of SCF first.  We are going to make significant improvements in how we connect our current students and even our alumni to the employers in our region.  When employees need continuing education we want our partners to think of SCF first.  We are in the same community and we are both committed to the economic development of our region.  

This is not our college—it is your State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. We have been here 58 years and we have produced more than 45,000 outstanding graduates. We are proud of our past and together we are the future.

Dr. Carol Probstfeld is president of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. 

Forty Carrots Family Center

Recently, Goodwill Manasota received a donation of 24,000 copies of a children’s book from an anonymous donor, with the request that children in Manatee and Sarasota counties would receive copies. Rick Hughes, Goodwill Manasota’s director of community outreach, distributed the books through a partnership with Rotary Clubs in Sarasota and Manatee through the Dictionary Project, which provides a free dictionary to every fourth grader in both counties. 

Goodwill Manasota

Don’t miss Selby Gardens’ annual holiday extravaganza, Lights in Bloom now through December 23 and December 26- 30. This 12th annual holiday extravaganza features more than a half million lights surrounding visitors in an electric wonderland. Explore new features like the massive Tunnel of Lights along with favorites such as the Radiant Rainforest.  A complimentary shuttle service will be available from the State Street Parking Garage.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Cafe L'Europe will be celebrating the New Year in style.  The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and will be festive with flowers, balloons, streamers and party favors to all guests as midnight approaches.  There is no cover charge or minimum.  Cafe L'Europe will feature a Special New Year's Eve menu with some fan favorites as well as some new Chef creations just for this special evening.  For reservations, call 941-388-4415. 

Cafe L Europe

Williams Parker’s Rose-Anne Frano recently had the honor of introducing the keynote speaker at the Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) 11th Annual Grace Rosen Magill Lecture. The keynote address was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman, a retired U.S. Marine. “Lt. Col. Kopelman’s story of leadership and bravery spoke to the dedication of our service men and women and how much they sacrifice for our freedom,” commented Frano. “His message was encouraging but also offered up a challenge, reinforcing how important it is to support community organizations, like the JFCS, that embrace our troops as they transition back into society after active service.” 

Williams Parker

1. The Signature Luncheon was held at The Ritz-Carlton with over 590 ladies, 60 Solemen, 12 retailers and 11 vintners in attendance. 2. Tomeika Hunter-Koski won the Best Shoe of the Day award. 3. Rob Lyons was named inaugural King of Sole at the luncheon. Rob’s total for wine sold and cash raised topped over $11,000. 4. Soleman Rookie Soleman Patrick McNamee raised the most monies for Forty Carrots on Crowdrise. 5. To get the Aston Martin into The Met’s retail space in the ballroom, it was driven through the back hallways of The Ritz. 

Forty Carrots Family Center