Donor Stories
Charitable Giving By Our Community, For Our Community
December 13, 2021
Paying It Forward: Scholarship Donors Change Futures, Motivated by Life Experiences
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
January 5, 2021
Masala Giving Circle gives toys, books to Newtown community
On December 19, 2020, The Masala Giving Circle partnered with Dollar Dynasty, Inc. to distribute toys, books, school supplies and other needed items to children in the Newtown community. Masa…
December 13, 2020
Carol McCloud's Bucket "Fillosophy" To Giving
Carol McCloud learned at an early age from the vinyl-lined booth of a diner about the power of giving. Whenever young Carol would visit her Uncle Frank in Chicago, they would go out to eat at…
November 30, 2020
One Good Thing Leads to Another | Legacy of Muriel O'Neil
How a legacy founded on sisterly love helped inspire an artful "digital neighborhood." This story of the domino effect of philanthropy begins with a tale of two sisters, Muriel and Gertrude.…
August 5, 2020
Philanthropists Offer Matching Opportunity for COVID-19 Hunger Relief
In response to a significant increase in need due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus, a $500,000 match has been provided from the Joe and Mary Kay Henson Family Fund. An anonymous dono…
February 18, 2020
Carl Caruso's Gambit: Nurturing Good Decision Makers Through Early Childhood Education - And Games of Chess
Retiree Carl Caruso usually keeps his philanthropy on the down-low, but he’s realized that to scale up, he has to speak up. After all, it was reporting about Orlando hotelier Harris Rose…
December 9, 2019
In Memory of Stewart Stearns, the longtime President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
It is with a heavy heart we share that Stewart Stearns, the longtime President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, passed away at the age of 72 on December 7th from long-te…
May 19, 2019
Legacy Giving: The Ira and Patricia Strauss Fund For Children's Literacy
During 47 years of married life, Ira and Patti Strauss built three homes: a beach house in Fire Island, New York; a farm in Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey; and another beach home on Boc…