45 Years and Forward

Sapphire is the traditional gemstone symbolizing a 45th anniversary. This precious stone is made up of various minerals, and while the blue sapphire is the most recognized, it can come in a range of colors. It is often said about community foundations, "If you know one community coundation, you know one community foundation," because, like sapphires, each community and community foundation is distinct, addressing pressing needs. Over the past 45 years, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has consistently risen to meet those needs, shaping a brighter future – in a variety of hues - for all.

As we observe our sapphire anniversary, we look back humbly with the realization of the honor we have serving this place we call home. Since our founding in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, the heart of our work has been cultivating a united community, one that is committed each and every day to work toward the goal of a community where everyone thrives.

It seems appropriate on this first day of April, which is national volunteer appreciation month, to celebrate those who were instrumental in what we are today. In those grassroots days, the small team of volunteers that made up the Community Foundation of Sarasota County operated out of an “office” (a closet with a phone and answering machine) in the Sarasota Orchestra building, when it was still known as the Westcoast Symphony. These dedicated individuals recognized a critical need in the Newtown community, where homes lacked address markers, making it difficult for first responders to locate residences during emergencies. The first impactful project of the Community Foundation was born—affixing address numbers to homes in Newtown to create a necessary safety net for residents.

These early projects encapsulate the body of work that has come since. In the days of our founding, the goal was simple: connect people in our community who wanted to make an impact with the nonprofits doing great work.

Since 1979 and a beginning with a few hundred dollars, our current assets under management have grown to over $544 million with nearly 1,600 funds because of donors who trust the Community Foundation to be their philanthropic partner. The number we are most proud of is the more than $500 million in grants and scholarships. We have been able to provide individuals and nonprofit organizations funding with the aim of a greater quality of life in this special place we call home. Just think of the thousands of lives impacted by furthering their education through scholarships or the impact of our nonprofit partner’s programming.

Much has changed since 1979, but that throughline remains the same: we are grateful for the incredible generosity of our community, the willingness of passionate people to step up when a challenge arises, and the dedication of those who create lasting solutions or nurture existing programs that help propel our community forward.

The Community Foundation remains firmly rooted in its mission of building a community with opportunities for all, by all. We are proud of all we’ve accomplished in our history and look forward to building on our vision as we strive for a bright future where everyone can thrive.