Philanthropy works best when it does more than meet a moment. It stays in motion, supporting long after an initial gift is made. Impact investing is a tool built on that idea: it puts charitable dollars to work to meet today’s needs while keeping them available to serve the community again in the future. 

At Gulf Coast, we are constantly exploring how philanthropic resources can be structured to create lasting benefit. Our role is not simply to direct funds, but to amplify them – carefully aligning charitable intent with the evolving needs of our community. Impact investing is one way we fulfill that responsibility, offering a value-driven approach that balances immediate impact and long-term sustainability. 

A clear example of this approach in action is One Stop Housing’s Sarasota Station, a 202-unit workforce housing development off Fruitville Road that broke ground earlier this week. Gulf Coast provided a $2.5 million below-market-rate loan to help bring the project to life. Unlike a traditional grant, these funds are structured as an investment; they support the project during construction and, once repaid, remain available to fund future initiatives, sustaining philanthropic momentum.  

Sarasota Station represents years of collaboration, planning and careful attention to the needs of working families in our community. The site was selected to meet the region’s growing demand for workforce housing, with careful attention to the proximity to employment centers, transportation, and essential services. Gulf Coast’s involvement reflects our commitment to creative, sustainable solutions that help working families thrive.  

The impact investing model is proven nationwide. Communities across the country have used similar strategies to address affordable housing, community development and other pressing needs, demonstrating that charitable dollars can do more than a one-time good—they can recirculate, grow, and serve multiple generations. 

Looking ahead, impact investing will complement our traditional grantmaking and open new opportunities for collaboration. We’re creating a platform for donor-advised fund holders to co-invest alongside Gulf Coast in future initiatives that share the same principles: thoughtful evaluation, long-term thinking, and shared responsibility for the region’s future. 

Sarasota Station, and impact investing as a tool, reflects confidence—in the development, in the people it will serve, and in the future of our community. By shifting from one-time impact to sustained momentum, we affirm a simple belief:  progress grows over time, through trust, care, and a willingness to invest in what comes next. 

Pictured: Leaders from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota, and One Stop Housing were on hand for the groundbreaking of Sarasota Station, a 202-unit workforce housing development off Fruitville Road. Provided photo.

State College of Florida’s Collegiate Schools stand as a model for what is possible when high school and college pathways are intentionally aligned. With two Florida Department of Education Grade A campuses and a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School designation for SCF Collegiate School Bradenton, the program continues to demonstrate excellence in academics, student support, and college readiness. Many graduates also benefit from articulation agreements with USF Sarasota-Manatee, New College of Florida, and Florida Gulf Coast University, allowing them to complete their bachelor’s degrees with little to no debt.

This commitment to student success is further strengthened by the transformational generosity of Dr. Jervey, whose recent donation has led to the renaming of two Collegiate School buildings in his honor. His investment reflects a shared belief in expanding access to rigorous education and ensuring students have the facilities and resources they need to thrive. The renamed buildings symbolize not only growth, but a lasting legacy of opportunity for future generations of SCF students.

The purpose of SCF’s Collegiate Schools is clear: to prepare motivated middle and high school students for successful independence as full-time dual enrollment students on the SCF campus. Through a teacher-led curriculum designed to challenge and expand academic skills, students are immersed early in a college-ready environment. Each student is supported by an academic coach and college advisor who guide them throughout their journey, helping them navigate coursework, build self-advocacy skills, and plan for what comes next after graduation.

Beyond the classroom, students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that encourage creativity, curiosity, and personal growth. After-school programming includes art, ballet, martial arts, creative writing, gardening, and language acquisition. Students also participate in intellectually challenging clubs such as competitive VEX Robotics, debate, and award-winning Judicial Mock Trial teams. School-wide initiatives, from Red Ribbon Week to Florida Literacy Week, further foster civic awareness and shared responsibility.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Collegiate Schools experience. Through student-led organizations such as Key Club and National Honor Society, students participate in beach cleanups, veteran outreach, and reading initiatives for younger students. These opportunities reinforce the importance of service while helping students develop leadership and teamwork skills.

Because the Collegiate Schools are located directly on SCF campuses, students benefit from unparalleled access to college facilities, including science labs, libraries, learning centers, and performing arts venues. Once fully enrolled in dual credit coursework, students are taught and supported by SCF faculty and staff as they work toward earning an Associate in Arts degree alongside their high school diploma.

With graduation approaching this May, SCF is preparing to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 while welcoming the next generation of Collegiate School students. The impact of the program is best captured through student voices. Reflecting on the support that shaped their growth, one student shared, “In 6th grade, my Coach was Mr. C, and he always taught us how to advocate for ourselves and never be afraid to ask for help.” That emphasis on self-advocacy, reinforced through high expectations and meaningful support, defines the Collegiate Schools experience. By combining academic rigor, personalized guidance, and real-world college exposure, SCF’s Collegiate Schools continue proving that an innovative, supportive educational model can empower students to reach their goals with confidence and purpose.

 Tommy Gregory, J.D. is the President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. 

Photo courtesy of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

The Manatee Chamber was recently in Tallahassee sharing priorities of the business community as our elected officials prepared for the start of the 2026 Florida legislative session. Our priorities are grounded in ongoing conversations with employers and business leaders about what challenges our region faces and what opportunities we could seize as catalysts to economic success.

With the input of multiple committees at the Chamber, we have honed priorities related to workforce, economic development, natural resources, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more. Underpinning all of this is a desire to ensure economic vitality to drive business success, create job opportunities, and enhance the quality of life that positions our region as a world-class destination for businesses and the workforce.

I have seen the power of partnership at play – in fact, transformational work rarely happens any other way. Our elected officials and policymakers need to hear from their constituents. While national and global happenings dominate the headlines, decisions made closer to home affect our lives every day. Our local economy, local quality of life, and our local networks and spheres of influence matter in unique and powerful ways.

In addition to walking the halls of the state capitol, the Manatee Chamber welcomed County and City officials to speak to the business community at recent luncheon events. This provided a direct connection between local employers, elected officials, and agency leaders. An open exchange of ideas and individual perspectives can shape how we work together and build consensus.

As we experience it here at the Manatee Chamber, leadership is the result of passionate people coming together to share ideas, build a vision, develop a plan, and execute for success. We are always asking how we can work together to respond to new challenges and invest in solutions. 2026 lies before us full of potential, including the opportunity to provide greater emphasis on the issues that matter most. We look forward to representing the voice of businesses in the greater Manatee County region.

Jacki Dezelski is the President and CEO  of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. 

Pictured: Manatee Chamber members with Florida Senate President Designate Jim Boyd in Tallahassee. Provided photo.

This Thursday, I had the privilege of attending the groundbreaking ceremony for Sarasota Station, a remarkable workforce housing project two decades in the making by One Stop Housing (OSH).

Located on the edge of downtown, Sarasota Station will deliver 202 units of workforce housing to our community. As our first Live Local Act project to break ground, it represents an extraordinary collaboration between a company with a longstanding commitment to workforce housing, multiple levels of government, and several local foundations.

This milestone merits recognition for the State's Live Local Act. For years, local barriers and government resistance to affordable housing stalled this project. OSH CEO Mark Vengroff is the second generation to champion this development. His father, Harvey Vengroff, faced significant opposition from NIMBY-minded local governments.

Fortunately, the climate within our city and county government has evolved. This project secured funding through Resilient SRQ, a HUD-administered program utilizing federal dollars to address impacts from our 2022 and 2024 hurricanes. The County Commission voted to allocate Hurricane Ian recovery funds to support this initiative.

The groundbreaking ceremony was particularly moving as Mark acknowledged the many individuals who contributed to making this project a reality. I first met Mark through the Leadership Florida program shortly after he assumed leadership of OSH following Harvey's passing.

I had known that Harvey was close friends with my predecessor at Argus, the late former Sarasota Mayor Kerry Kirschner. Both were deeply frustrated by the government opposition to workforce housing during their time. It feels fitting that the next generation of our respective organizations would connect through a leadership development program.

Mark, who had recently relocated from California, quickly demonstrated his commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community. Following introductions to key stakeholders, he outlined the vision for the units now under construction.

Today, several important affordable housing providers operate under different models in our community. Community Assisted & Supportive Living (CASL) is another organization actively building locally. These are exemplary organizations working to address our community's critical housing needs.

Reflecting on this groundbreaking, I imagine Harvey and Kerry looking down with pride as Mark brings to fruition what Harvey began. Congratulations to OSH and to our entire community, not only for the workforce housing, but for working together to make it happen.

Christine Robinson is the Executive Director of The Argus Foundation.