The following article appeared in Sarasota Magazine on January 26, 2026:
Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built, carefully and collaboratively, by people who understand that lasting change requires more than good intentions. It takes partnership.
At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), partnership is how generosity becomes action. When donors, nonprofits, and professional advisors work together, resources move faster, solutions deepen, and our community becomes more resilient – especially in moments of real need.
Responding Together to Food Insecurity
When a freeze in SNAP benefits threatened access to food across the region, Gulf Coast donors came together to support organizations working to meet rising community need. Through two coordinated efforts, more than $600,000 was mobilized to strengthen food access for families across the region.
Support for All Faiths Food Bank was the first focus. With early support from Gary and Barbara Rodkin, the Strohl Family Foundation, and Bob and Lin Williams, donors contributed $233,000 in less than 48 hours to sustain critical food distribution efforts.
As needs extended beyond a single organization, a second effort expanded support to food pantries and food distribution sites throughout the region. With support from the Strohl Family Foundation, an additional donor match, and a $100,000 capping grant from Women in Philanthropy, this collaborative response raised $367,000 to help ensure families had reliable access to food through the SNAP benefit freeze and the holiday season.
Together, these collective efforts show how partnership multiplies generosity and strengthens a coordinated network of food support when it is needed most.
Strengthening Nonprofits Through Project HEAL
Partnership also means investing behind the scenes and strengthening the organizations that serve our most vulnerable neighbors every day.
Project HEAL (Helping Everyone Align with Love), funded by a generous anonymous donor, is part of Gulf Coast’s adult homelessness initiative. The program supports nonprofits in adopting trauma-informed practices that foster safety, trust, and empowerment for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Project HEAL recently launched its second cohort with two new nonprofit partners – The Salvation Army and Project 180 – participating. Facilitated by Resilient Retreat and the Demings Rivers Social Club, the program will build upon outcomes from the first cohort, including stronger organizational culture, improved staff retention, and more client-centered services. By helping nonprofits address root causes and not just immediate needs, Project HEAL strengthens the entire system of care.
Partnering with Professional Advisors to Expand Giving
Some of the most meaningful partnerships happen at the planning table. Financial advisors and estate attorneys help donors align financial decisions with what matters most, and Gulf Coast collaborates with them to turn their values into purposeful philanthropy.
A longtime financial advisor and former Gulf Coast Board Chair is one of those partners. For more than a decade, this advisor and Gulf Coast have worked side by side, combining technical expertise with deep community insight to help donors understand the full scope of their generosity.
When a donor new to philanthropy wanted to give thoughtfully but was unsure where to begin, the advisor invited Gulf Coast into the conversation. Together, along with the donor’s estate attorney, they explored giving options that reflected both immediate interests and long-term goals. The result was a clear path forward: a Donor Advised Fund to support current giving, paired with a legacy endowment to carry the donor’s vision into the future.
By working together, professional advisors and the Gulf Coast team provide donors with clarity, confidence, and customized giving strategies. These partnerships help generosity take shape today while creating impact for generations to come.
Collaboration in Action
Gulf Coast is proud to walk alongside donors, nonprofits, and professional advisors who believe in the power of partnership. Together, we’re not just responding to challenges – we’re building a stronger, more connected community where generosity leads to real, lasting solutions.
Learn more about purposeful collaboration and how you can get involved at GulfCoastCF.org
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