SRQ DAILY Aug 5, 2026
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Your path may look different from someone else's, but it is no less meaningful."
Meet Earl Young, Scholarship Manager for Selby Foundation. Earl is a seasoned scholarship and nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience helping students achieve postsecondary success. Throughout his career in roles at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County, Inc., Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. and Booker Promise Foundation, he has managed large scholarship programs, overseen award selection and compliance and supported thousands of students from application through college completion. Earl is passionate about working 1:1 with students to help them thrive and succeed. Check out our Q&A below to learn more about Earl and his passion for helping students succeed.
You've worked with several organizations focused on education and scholarships. What has kept you passionate about this work for more than 15 years?
As a first-generation college student, I experienced firsthand how education can change the trajectory of a family. My mother immigrated from Mexico with an eighth-grade education, and the opportunities I received helped shape my future. More than 15 years later, what keeps me passionate is watching students discover their potential, pursue new opportunities and accomplish goals they once thought were out of reach. Helping make that possible is incredibly rewarding.
What qualities or experiences consistently distinguish the strongest Selby Foundation scholarship applicants beyond academic achievement?
Our Scholarship Committee looks for students who demonstrate grit, resourcefulness and academic rigor. Whether that means leading at school, working while studying, supporting family, serving their community or overcoming challenges, the committee looks beyond GPA and test scores. Students stand out who can reflect on their journey, articulate their goals and show how they hope to use their education to make a positive impact on others.
What advice would you give to students who are interested in applying for a Selby Foundation scholarship but may not think they're competitive applicants?
Don't let self-doubt keep you from applying. Students often compare themselves to what they imagine the “perfect” applicant looks like and overlook the value of their own experiences. Be authentic and tell your story. Share what you’ve accomplished, the challenges you’ve faced and what you hope to achieve. Your path may look different from someone else’s, but it is no less meaningful.
To learn more about Young and Selby Foundation visit selbyfdn.org 
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is proud to announce the successful completion of a $500,000 challenge match issued by Gulf Coast Community Foundation and their donors to advance the expansion of CPC’s Keith D. Monda Family Campus of Healing in North Port. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.
What began as a creative challenge at the annual Girls Inc. Toulmin Foundation Scholar Dinner became an unexpected investment in the next generation, inspired by the ideas of Girls Inc. scholars themselves. Ten years ago, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation invested in Girls Inc. of Sarasota County by establishing the Toulmin Scholars Fund. The fund provides girls pursuing postsecondary education with additional financial assistance, empowering them to focus on their education and future while working toward graduating debt-free. On Thursday, July 23, scholars representing the program’s first decade gathered at Michael’s Wine Cellar in Sarasota for the annual Scholar Dinner. The event brought together Girls Inc. Toulmin Scholars, alumnae and leadership with Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation trustees Bill Villafranco, Alexander Sanger and Walter Montaigne. Girls Inc. of Sarasota County President and CEO Angie Stringer also attended, along with board members Jim Rolfes, vice chair; Dr. LaShawn Frost, past chair; and Kay Mathers, a member of the Girls Inc. national board.
As Sarasota County students prepare to return to school on Aug. 10, Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Clark Road is helping local children begin the year with confidence through a community-led school supply initiative benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. From July 1 through July 26, Gecko’s collected backpacks and school essentials through its School Supply Drive, bringing together guests, team members and community members with one shared goal: helping ensure local students have the materials they need for a successful start to the school year. The community’s support helped Gecko’s fill 100 backpacks. For more information about Gecko's Grill & Pub, visit www.geckosgrill.com
Provided photo.
Manatee Community Foundation is pleased to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors, each sharing MCF’s commitment to building a better Manatee. Anthony Baldo is an Executive Director and Private Banker with J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He has more than 18 years of experience advising families, entrepreneurs, and philanthropic leaders on investment management, estate planning, lending, and charitable giving. Ryan Denton is Senior Vice President and Alternative Investments Director at Morgan Stanley, where he chairs the Investment Committee for the Milestone Financial Group. A Manatee County native, he brings more than 20 years of experience in wealth planning and investment analysis. Joe E. Flores, CFP®, ChFC®, CEPA®, is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments. For more than three decades, he has worked with individuals, families, and business owners on retirement, succession, legacy planning, and charitable giving. To learn more visit manateecf.org
The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Sarasota County, Florida) announced today that the nonprofit organization has been awarded a series of grants totaling over $450,000 that will support a variety of programs and initiatives, including residencies for Hermitage Fellows, arts education support, and program accessibility. Grants were awarded by the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Exchange, Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture, Frank E. Duckwall Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Koski Family Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Program. For more information on the Hermitage, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
Pictured: Hermitage House. Provided photo.
he Bay and Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) are partnering once again to build on the momentum to finish the park that has become a beloved gathering place for the region. A new $2 million challenge match invites philanthropists and the community to co-invest in completing The Bay and help sustain it for generations to come. Gulf Coast Board of Directors approved a $1 million grant, doubled by anonymous Gulf Coast donors, to establish a total of $2 million in matching dollars for The Bay Park in downtown Sarasota, Florida. This transformational funding will help support the completion of the park and help ensure, in the long term, that The Bay is sustainable in every way -- environmentally, operationally, and financially. Donors who give by June 30, 2027, will have their gift matched dollar for dollar, helping raise $4 million to complete and sustain the park.
For more information about The Bay and The Bay Park Conservancy, visit www.thebaysarasota.org.
There’s still time to be featured in SRQ Magazine’s IN CONVERSATION: Nonprofit Innovators special October edition. Join local nonprofit leaders in sharing the strategies, partnerships and innovations helping organizations thrive throughout Sarasota and Manatee. Showcase your expertise, celebrate your impact and connect your mission with our community of readers. Reserve your space by August 7, 2026, and secure your participation today.
Space Closing August 7, 2026
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits delicious Sunday Brunch is from 11am-3pm. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée. Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Think while you drink! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
Featuring works by such acclaimed modern and contemporary artists as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Yoko Ono, David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, and more, this never-before-seen exhibition offers a rare glimpse into private collections held throughout Southwest Florida.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Maria A. Guzman Capron explores the complexities of identity through vibrant figurative textiles. Drawing inspiration from her own multicultural heritage, the artist creates layered portraits of exuberant, multi-faceted characters.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
The exhibition at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus celebrates childhood and the imagination of youth through the words and images of A Child’s Garden of Verses, the beloved book of poetry for children by the celebrated Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. The exhibition features photographs of pages from a vintage edition of the book, combining Stevenson’s poetry with illustrations by the notable American artist, Alexander Dobkin. Accompanying the photographs are simple interactives that draw their inspiration from Stevenson’s poems and enhance the visitor experience. Audio recordings enable visitors to hear the poems read by Selby Gardens’ Artist-in-Residence, Patti Smith. Visit selby.org for tickets.
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 401 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey
Delightfully Funky Since 1997, Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village has been Sarasota’s cozy, funky go-to for inventive food, handcrafted martinis, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. It’s perfect for date nights or casual hangouts—offering bold flavors, expertly mixed drinks, and a setting that feels both relaxed and refreshingly unique. Join us for the launch of our Summer Pizza & Martini Menu, featuring hand-tossed specialty Pizzas, Pineapple Upside Down Vodka Martini for June, Siesta Suns Orange Vodka in July & Just Peachy Vodka Martini in August.
Blase Martini Bar in Siesta Key Village, 5263 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key
This summer, Selby Gardens is excited to present an indoor and outdoor exhibition featuring the work of legendary American photographer, Lynn Goldsmith, who is renowned for both her celebrity portraits and fine art images. Goldsmith’s exhibition at the Downtown Sarasota campus will combine stunning images of flowers with intimate portraits of Selby Gardens’ artist in residence – Patti Smith. Visit selby.org for tickets.
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota
Ever wonder what goes into creating a circus? The Ringling's Canvas City exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make the spectacular entertainment venues come to life, from tentmakers and photographers to costume designers. See over 1,500 pieces, including circus costumes, leotards, band uniforms, animal blankets and more. Costumes on view will be rotated throughout the year as museum registrars review the collection and add notes and new photography to their records.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota
Curious about the Mediterranean Way of Eating? Join us for Cooking Up Health: The Mediterranean Way, an engaging, educational series that will transform your approach to food! Discover seven simple steps to healthier meals, learn easy recipes, and pick up practical tips that fit right into your everyday life. Registration includes a recipe book. 6-Week Program, Mondays: 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, and 8/31 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This class will be virtual and will have a cost of $10 per person. Zoom link for the class will be emailed to participants before the start of class.
Virtual, Virtual
Come one, come all to the circus this summer at The Circus Arts Conservatory in Sarasota. Kids ages 6 to 15 are invited to learn circus skills and make new friends with attendees from all over the country. Try the trapeze, rolling globe, aerials, juggling and more. Each Friday, friends and families are invited to a costumed showcase performance where campers share the skills they developed throughout the week. Pre-registration is required, and walk-ins are not accepted.
Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Start studying for Gecko's Grill and Pub's 24th Annual Summer Trivia Tournament. This six-week competition features weekly trivia nights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at participating Gecko's locations throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Teams can enjoy food and drink specials while competing for a share of $1,000 in Gecko's Bucks. The three teams with the highest cumulative scores are invited to the championship tournament, which is scheduled for Gecko's on Clark Road on August 17.
Gecko's Grill and Pub, All Gecko's Grill and Pub locations
At the Court Cabaret, Nancy Allen presents a powerful tribute to era-defining artists in the 1970s, featuring hits from Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt and more. A singer trio of Victoria Boland, Samantha Duval and Madalyn McHugh deliver powerhouse vocals that capture the soul and strength of the female artists who wrote their own rules. This show is part of a three-show Summer Cabaret subscription that also includes Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey and Legacy: Motown and More!
Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota
Intensive B will focus on a variety of Jazz classes. Participants will experience influences from Fosse, Broadway, Afro-Fusion, to Commercial Jazz!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd of the Arts Ste 300, Sarasota
As Art Sarasota Center closes its centennial season and begins another century, it welcomes four artists and their works for the upcoming August and September season. Molly Duff-Clarke will showcase Home for Dinner, and curator Alecia Harper will present Shaping Sarasota: A Century of Art, which presents a chronological visual history spanning 100 years of creativity. Antoine Williams presents a new body of work that reimagines Black southern cultural folklore and traditions with Putting Breath in the Body. Finally, juror John Pirman presents the juried show, Icons.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
Whether you're a gardening newbie or a plant pro, visit Palma Sola Botanical Park to learn all about plants that thrive in the heat. Hear cool tips to keep your garden flourishing even when the temperature rises and see how sun-loving plants can handle the extreme summer heat.
Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton
Learn what fertilizers are, how nutrients work and how to choose the right products for your garden at this Plant Food 101 workshop. Instructor Mack Lessig will help you gain the practical knowledge to choose the right products and feed your garden for peak seasonal performance. Also, you'll decode the essential elements of what fertilizers contain and how plants utilize these nutrients at a cellular level.
UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W, Palmetto
Join Project 180 for its fifth annual Changing Lanes Bowling Tournament and experience an afternoon of family-friendly fun. This two-hour event includes bowling shoes, pizza and fries, unlimited soft drinks and an arcade card. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or a beginner, this tournament is a great way to strike up some friendly competition, connect with the community and celebrate some of Project 180's recent graduates.
Bowlero Gulf Gate, 7221 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota
If you're looking for a Queen tribute band that is scarily similar to original icons that shaped the rock world so many decades ago, you've come to the right place. Led by frontman and lead singer Emo Alaeddin, The Kings of Queen deliver a fully live performance of some of Queen's greatest hits. Band members include Gregg Thompson on guitar and vocals, Chris Trimmer on bass and vocals, Matisse Passillas on drums and vocals, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Joel Case.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
SRQ DAILY is a daily e-newsletter produced by SRQ MEDIA. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. The views expressed by individuals are their own, and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SRQ DAILY includes content excerpted from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Robinson Valverde at 941-365-7702 x703 or via email |
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