On Thursday, May 28, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) and the SCF Foundation hosted a special celebration to recognize a transformational $2 million gift from Dr. Bill Jervey, supporting the future of SCF Venice Collegiate School.

Dr. Jervey donated $2 million to support the Collegiate Schools' programming and help build a permanent home for the Venice campus. The ceremony included SCF staff members, its Foundation and students, including those from the SCF Venice Collegiate School, as well as representatives from Willis Smith Construction and Sweet Sparkman Architects.

During the event, President Gregory highlighted the lasting impact of Jervey's philanthropy throughout Venice and beyond. “Your transformational gift inspired Representative Buchanan and our legislative delegation to secure an additional $3.5 million for the Collegiate School effort,” he said. “It really takes that kind of joint effort, but it's only possible with people like you leading the way. On behalf of this college and this entire community, thank you again.”

Jervey reflected on the role education has played throughout his life and why supporting the Collegiate School, which provides accelerated dual enrollment opportunities for those enrolled, is especially meaningful to him.

“I was so pleased with the State College of Florida and the Collegiate School program because it is the epitome of excellence,” Jervey said. “Doing more than you have to and striving for excellence has always been one of my goals in life, and I hope all of the students here will take advantage of the opportunities this school provides.”

To honor and recognize his extraordinary generosity, SCF administrators presented Jervey with a statue titled Manatees and Friends and a personally signed thank-you poster featuring a rendering of the future school that will bear his name: Dr. William H. Jervey, Jr. SCF Collegiate School.

To learn more about SCF's Venice Collegiate School, visit scfcs.scf.edu/venice/ 

Pictured: State College of Florida Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of Advancement Cassandra Holmes, Dr. Bill Jervey and SCF President Tommy Gregory. Photo courtesy of SCF.

Join Project Pride SRQ and ALSO Youth on June 6 from 4–7 p.m. at Sage Restaurant for the 2026 Scholarship Reception! Celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients and the community that makes their success possible over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Each year, ALSO Youth provides scholarships for LGBTQ+ and allied students seeking higher education. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and our partnership with Project Pride SRQ, we are proud to award more than $12,000 in scholarships to deserving youth this year. 

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Asolo Repertory Theatre’s scene shop is getting a boost where the magic begins. As one of Florida’s leading theaters, Asolo Rep brings imagination and connection to the stage, and now, through Southface  Institute’s GoodUse: Audit Kickstart pilot, its behind-the-scenes workspace has a clearer path to operate more efficiently and sustainably. With support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Southface conducted an ASHRAE  Level II audit of the Robert and Beverly Koski Center, transforming complex building systems into a  simple, actionable roadmap. The audit identified practical upgrades that could unlock more than  $63,000 in annual savings, reducing environmental impact while freeing up resources for productions,  materials, and expanded community programming. For information, visit www.southface.org. 

 The Child Protection Center (CPC) is inviting young professionals across the gulf coast region to take an active role in protecting children and strengthening families by joining the Monarch Society. The Monarch Society is a dynamic community of emerging leaders dedicated to advancing CPC’s mission of the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at  www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277. 

Child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition recently received five grants, totaling $38,000, in support of programs that strengthen families and protect children. These programs include adoption, foster care, Schoolhouse Link (for homeless students), and prevention and diversion (which keeps kids out of the state care system). 

The Hermitage is a leading national arts incubator and the only major arts organization in Florida exclusively committed to supporting the creation and development of new work across all artistic disciplines. Located on Manasota Key in Sarasota County, the Hermitage provides accomplished and diverse artists with multi-week residencies to create original works of theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, and more. Hermitage Fellows have included eighteen Pulitzer Prize winners, multiple Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy nominees and winners, Poets Laureate, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellows, and hundreds of extraordinary artists from around the world. Hermitage artists, writers, and performers offer a unique glimpse into the creative process, sharing their original works-in-process with our Gulf Coast community. These free, hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, play readings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, open studios, and more. Audiences can experience a unique level of engagement with these extraordinary talents at our year-round sunset programs on the Hermitage Beach and other partner venues throughout the region. To register for an upcoming Hermitage program or to make a tax-deductible, year-end gift in support of the Hermitage, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org. 

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Planned Parenthood of Florida (PPFL) has announced that Michelle Grimsley Shindano, formerly Director of Policy and Government Affairs, has been promoted to serve as the affiliate’s new Vice President of Public Affairs. During her four years with Planned Parenthood, Michelle has elevated advocacy strategy statewide — strengthened bipartisan relationships in Tallahassee, led critical policy conversations, expanded coalition partnerships, and helped position Planned Parenthood as a respected voice across Florida’s advocacy landscape.  

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We are excited to share that Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc. has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the launch of a new Youth Case Management Platform. This funding will help strengthen the way we serve local youth and families by improving access to resources, tracking progress, and providing more personalized support throughout each teen’s journey with Teen Court.