Everlasting Impact

The Broadway sensation Hamilton brought to life the lesser-known Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, with a focus on his life and legacy. Leaving a legacy is one of the shared aspirations of humanity—the hope that our lives have reach beyond our time on Earth is one that unites people from around the world, since the beginning of time.

Philanthropy is one way of solidifying a legacy, a way to attain everlasting impact. In supporting important causes, philanthropy can sustain achievements in those areas in perpetuity.

Learn about the legacies of these generous philanthropists who entrusted our foundation to see that their vision of the future is brought to fruition. These charitable people have touched the lives of so many living in our community.

Here’s a glimpse of their lives and their passions, and how those passions continue to impact our community.

Carol Buchanan

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(1929-2018)

Dr. S. Carroll Buchanan Memorial Fund 

A tenured educator in New York, Carol Buchanan began her career as a teacher, then helmed a school as principal, before becoming an administrator for New York City schools.

Carol and her husband, Dr. S. Carroll Buchanan, moved to Sarasota in 1992. In retirement, she served as a board member for several organizations, including Florida Studio Theatre, and co-founded Embracing Our Differences.

This fund generously supports music and performing arts in this community. 

Muriel O'Neil

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(1923-2013)

Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts

This fund is a “tale of two sisters.” Created as a tribute to Muriel O’Neil by her sister, Dr. Gertrude Hight, it reflects Muriel’s passion for performing arts and storytelling.

The sisters’ lives had always been entwined. Born in Chicago, they both started out as writers in New York; Muriel enjoyed a distinguished career, while Gertrude gravitated toward psychiatry. They retired in Sarasota together.

Muriel passed, leaving her inheritance to Gertrude, who created a legacy that today supports several arts organizations, including WEDU’s Emmy-winning Greater Sarasota.

Jo Bowen Nobbe

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(Unknown-2004)

Allen Wirtz Nobbe and Jo Bowen Nobbe Fund

The Nobbes moved to Sarasota in the 1960s. Inspired by philanthropy, Jo Bowen Nobbe donated her Bird Key home to the Community Foundation in 1998, the sale of which created the fund that bears the couple’s names that was further expanded upon her death in 2004.

The Nobbes’ legacy funds educational equity, including summer learning and youth serving organizations like GIrls Inc and the Boys and Girls Club. Their impact has been key to the bright futures of countless area youth.

Patricia & Ira Strauss

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(1944-2015 & Unknown-2018)

Ira and Patricia Strauss Fund for Children’s Literacy

Ira and Patti Strauss were successful entrepreneurs, but Patti always found reading and writing uniquely challenging. Later in life, with the encouragement of her husband, Patti was diagnosed with dyslexia. Her new understanding of herself gave her the courage to attend Rutgers University, from which she earned a degree. Her journey inspired the couple to posthumously create the fund to empower others.

The fund supports literacy through dyslexia diagnosis programs, teacher trainings in quality literacy instruction, and other reading initiatives. 

Edward K. Roberts

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(1920-2009)

The Edward K. Roberts Fund

Raised by a single mother, Roberts’ early years had a tremendous impact on his charitable focus. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he briefly pursued a career in law before following his talents toward the role of a commodities trader.

This field of interest fund prioritizes education, covering new and emerging needs and supporting underfunded community colleges.

As a nod to his own mother, single mothers are a notably supported group, thanks to this fund.

Martha Leiter & Nancy Streetman

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(Unknown-2016 & 1933-2013)

The Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund II

Music was a strong bond between Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman. Nancy fell in love with the cello at 18 and spent the rest of her life performing and teaching orchestral music all around the world. The couple moved to Sarasota in the 1980s, where they became fixtures of the local classical music community.

This fund supports the Venice Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, and more, keeping the music alive in the Suncoast. The couple’s legacy also supports areas such as animal welfare.