Community Foundation of Sarasota County Appoints Vice President of Knowledge and Equity

Ranata Reeder will balance data with community input to bring awareness to inequities and guidance for building a more equitable region.

SARASOTA, FL – The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has created a new leadership position – Vice President of Knowledge and Equity – to assess community needs, better inform how philanthropy can directly impact the lives of individuals and families, and address long-term charitable investments to improve overall quality of life for area residents. This position will rely on data and input to guide efforts to build a thriving and equitable community in partnership with nonprofit, private, civic and government leaders, as well as conduct a thoughtful review of historic trends that bring awareness of and guidance to address inequities.

This new role is led by Ranata Reeder, MA, a nonprofit leader with more than 14 years of experience leading initiatives to bring equitable outcomes to communities in the southeastern United States through arts, economic innovation, housing and public health. Reeder holds a master’s degree in community-based research from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro and has been an applicant reviewer for national leadership program “Culture of Health Leaders” offered by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“This is an important moment to think about how philanthropic investments can have the greatest impact,” said Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Like any good investment, research is key to identifying opportunities and challenges, as well as tracking results so we can more accurately understand how charitable gifts are making measurable changes.”

As a member of the leadership team, Reeder’s work will complement the foundation’s long-term, multi-generational investments in human services, education, and cultural pursuits, which are led by the foundation’s Community Impact department. Together, these data-informed and input-guided teams – alongside the foundation’s Philanthropy department – will offer insights and knowledge to individuals and families who have a trusted partnership with the Community Foundation to advise on their philanthropic investment goals

“I’m excited to join a passionate team here at the Community Foundation to bring about a thriving and equitable community we all want to live in,” said Ranata Reeder, Vice President of Knowledge and Equity. “I look forward to working in partnership with our community’s diverse array of nonprofit, private, and civic leaders as we take data-driven, actionable steps to address inequities and provide opportunities and guidance so everyone that calls this region home can live their fullest life.”

“Our foundation exists to address community needs through the power of individual generosity by providing support and services that drive social change,” Jerde said. “The leadership team we have will help us be more effective in uniting our donors, nonprofit partners, and other stakeholders for the betterment of the overall community.”

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About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County: The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $421 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $48.9 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $323 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.