Donor Stories

Charitable Giving By Our Community, For Our Community

December 20, 2023

Putting the “Fun” in Fundraising: the Flanagans and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

By Blog, Scene Magazine,

The high school sweethearts’ love affair with Sarasota began in 1999. Former Chicago and Silicon Valley residents Tom and Nancy Flanagan visited this charming coastal city for vacation a…

April 28, 2023

Celebration of life set for former ambassador who retired to Sarasota

By Blog, Earle Kimel,

To Ronald Gault, his friend – the late Jim Joseph – was a man for all seasons, with an uncanny ability to engage in debate on a broad range of ideas and react to them almost with a…

April 3, 2023

Investing in the Future: Drs. Wharton and the Community Foundation of Sarasota

By Blog, Scene Magazine,

It was six years ago when Sarasota Scene first got to know Drs. Richard Wharton and Lou Bertha McKenzie-Wharton. At that time, they were recognized for helping provide scholarships to the firs…

March 3, 2023

Power Couple: Guided by their faith, David and Adie Rubin are brightening the way for others and themselves with their generosity.

By Blog, Homepage - Story of Impact, SRQ Media,

Good Hero philanthropic award recipient David Rubin and his wife Adie have deeply impacted our community through thoughtful charitable giving with a focus on uplifting others through education…

November 2, 2022

A Godmother to the Arts: Flora Major and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

By Blog, Scene Magazine,

Coming to America Flora Major was born and raised in Budapest, then Communist Hungary. Philanthropy came naturally and was the norm among friends and family. Nobody had any money to speak of a…

June 16, 2022

Masala Giving Circle awards $20,000 in grants to support the African American community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

By Press Release, Story,

SARASOTA - June 29, 2022 Masala Giving Circle has announced the recipients of their 2022 grants. FUNducation, Inc. will receive a grant of $10,000 for their project, “Betty J. Johnson No…

February 17, 2022

Beloved Philanthropist, Jean Weiller, Continues Her Legacy With A Recent Gift Of $1 Million To Boys & Girls Clubs Of Sarasota And DeSoto Counties

By Story, Homepage - Story of Impact, Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County,

She has been a volunteer, a teacher, an advocate, and a leader. Her name is Jean Weiller, and her legacy is one of philanthropy and service. In 2021, Jean once again proved just how limitless…

December 13, 2021

Paying It Forward: Scholarship Donors Change Futures, Motivated by Life Experiences

By Blog, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

When Bea Holt was in her mid-30s working as a nurse in Philadelphia, she dreamed of a career in business. With her employer’s financial support, she enrolled in night classes and receive…

December 1, 2021

A Healthier Community: The Caring Legacy of J. Robert and Mary Jane Donnelly

By Story, Scene Magazine, Carol Brzozowski,

When J. Robert and Mary Jane Donnelly moved to Nokomis, Florida in 1987 from Republic, Michigan, they fell in love with their new home and the many possibilities to engage their community on a…

July 23, 2021

Building a More Equitable Sarasota With Philanthropy & Mentoring

By Blog, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Tom and Carol Beeler believe to invest in a more equitable community means more than just making charitable gifts. It means getting involved in the lives of young people who otherwise may stru…

March 10, 2021

Jo Bowen Nobbe: Equal Opportunity & Access to Education

By Story, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Editor's Note: As charitable giving continues to define our region’s growth and spirit, we will be sharing stories of our remarkable donors, past and present, who have entrusted us with…

March 8, 2021

For the Betterment of LGBTQ+ Youth: The McCauley-Brown Fund

By Blog, Story, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Editor's Note: As charitable giving continues to define our region’s growth and spirit, we will be sharing stories of our remarkable donors, past and present, who have entrusted us with…

March 8, 2021

Education & Empowerment: The Vision of Edward K. Roberts

By Story, Community Foundation of Sarasota County,

Editor's Note: As charitable giving continues to define our region’s growth and spirit, we will be sharing stories of our remarkable donors, past and present, who have entrusted us with…

March 6, 2021

Personal Touch to Family-Based Philanthropy | Lee Wetherington Foundation

By Story, Roxie Jerde, Homepage - Story of Impact, Story of Impact - Featured,

In this time when connection means everything, a personal touch is always appreciated. We’ve all experienced it, the glow of a smile when a handwritten thank you note arrives in the mail…

February 26, 2021

Carole Crosby: Philanthropic Passion in the Peforming Arts

By Story, Homepage - Story of Impact, Sylvia Whitman,

As you might expect from the president of the Asolo Repertory Theatre board of directors, Carole Crosby cares deeply about arts and culture. It’s “what makes me tick,” she sa…