The following article appeared in Sarasota Magazine on February 24, 2026:
The Spirit of Better Together
On a bright, sunny spring afternoon, the sounds of laughter, music, and conversation carry on as neighbors gather beneath open skies. Community leaders greet familiar faces, nonprofit partners exchange ideas, and families move between tents and tables filled with activities. Some lean over long workstations to drill oyster shells that will soon become vertical oyster gardens helping to clean and filter local waterways. Others stand shoulder to shoulder to paint a community mural, or pause nearby to watch butterflies take flight during a live release.
This collective energy is at the heart of Better Together, Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s annual celebration that brings our region together to celebrate what we can accomplish together. This year’s event is especially meaningful as we mark both the Venice Centennial and 30 years of Gulf Coast’s impact across Southwest Florida, while also reflecting on how collaboration and connection continue to strengthen the communities we call home.
More than a decade ago, Better Together started as a luncheon series, bringing neighbors, community leaders, and local partners together to share ideas and spark conversation. Early gatherings welcomed a wide mix of attendees — from civic leaders and nonprofit executives to business owners and local philanthropists — all looking to connect and exchange perspectives. Speakers like “Shark Tank” entrepreneur Daymond John and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough offered powerful insights, inspiring attendees to imagine new ways to work together and strengthen the region.
In the years following the global pandemic, Better Together evolved to reflect how people were gathering and engaging in new ways. Reimagined as an interactive Block Party, the event was first held on State Street in downtown Sarasota in 2023. Friends, families, and neighbors joined together to experience hands-on activities that brought Gulf Coast’s mission to life. The Oyster Boys Conservation group taught attendees how to create Vertical Oyster Gardens, now installed on docks throughout the region to naturally filter and clean local waterways. Nearby, local artist Brandon Thrift led a communal art project, with participants of all ages painting hearts together on a giant canvas. Live music filled the air, and an interactive photo booth captured memorable moments. Through these shared experiences, Better Together continued its original purpose of broadening perspectives.
This year’s milestone event brings Better Together home to Venice in more ways than one.
Honoring the City’s Centennial alongside Gulf Coast’s 30-year legacy of service, returning to the community where we were founded offers a meaningful chance to celebrate our roots and the relationships that have guided our work. The 2026 event will be held at West Blalock Park in the heart of Venice. Attendees can enjoy live music from local favorites Jah Movement, sample a variety of local food trucks, and explore Old Betsy and the Venice Museum and Archives. Mission-driven activities will invite guests to take part in the return of the popular Shark Spotting game, challenge their local knowledge during Venice-themed trivia, and join a communal “You Matter” space for leaving notes of kindness.
At its core, Better Together is about people and the bonds we create through shared experiences to help our community thrive. Over the years, the event has grown from a forum for conversation into a vibrant, region-wide celebration of curiosity and connection. Like the butterflies released in earlier years, it serves as a living reminder of what we can achieve when we come together for the better.
We hope to see you at this year’s FREE Better Together Block Party on Saturday, March 14, at West Blalock Park in Venice. The event runs from 2 – 6 p.m. and is open to people of all ages. Registration is highly encouraged: GulfCoastCF.org/BT26
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