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Community Foundation of Sarasota County
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    Areas of Impact:


    Community Care


    • Emergency Needs &
      Disaster Relief
    • Providing Stability
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    Empowerment and Success


    • Literacy Support
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      Advancement
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    Belonging and Culture


    • Strengthening Families
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    Our Initiatives:

    • 2Gen (two-generational) Approach
    • “EdExploreSRQ” Student Learning
    • Education and Career Scholarships
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    • Strauss Literacy Initiative
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Distinguished Speaker Series

Our Distinguished Speaker Series is an educational and networking resource for all professional advisors and is offered complimentary as a thank you for referring clients to the Community Foundation. Through a signature series of lectures presented by nationally recognized estate planning and tax experts, advisors can earn advanced education credits and stay abreast of current trends and updates in wealth planning.


2025-2026 Schedule


Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Speaker: Michele McKinnon, McGuireWoods

Topic: One Size Does Not Fit All – Selecting the Best Type of Charity to Achieve a Donor’s Philanthropic and Planning Goals

Learn more about Michele McKinnon. 

Past Events

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Speaker: Alan Gassman, Esq., Gassman, Crotty & Denicolo, P.A.

Topic: Essentials of Florida Asset Protection in Wealth Planning

Learn more about Alan Gassman. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Speaker: Kathleen Bilderback, Sandberg Phoenix

Topic: Executive Benefit Strategies Every Estate Planner Must Know

Learn more about Kathleen Bilderback. 

Betsey Pennewill headshot

For more information or questions, please contact:

Jay Young
Vice President, Philanthropy
941-556-7178  
jyoung@cfsarasota.org

October 30, 2025

2025 Year-End Giving Deadlines Are Approaching

September 30, 2025

Essentials of Florida Asset Protection in Wealth Planning: Takeaways From September's Distinguished Speakers Series

May 14, 2025

Key Provisions of a Charitable Gift Agreement

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Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Contact Us

Physical Address

2635 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34237

Directions and Map

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., M – F

Phone: (941) 955-3000

Fax: (941) 952-1951

General Inquiries:
info@cfsarasota.org

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THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC. IS A REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT CORPORATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 (OR 1-800-352-9832 EN ESPAÑOL) OR GOING ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE WWW.FDACS.GOV/CONSUMERSERVICES.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. One hundred percent (100%) of the donation is received by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, registration #CH2471.

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