02 Feb 2018 CAUSE & EFFECT: January 2018 Issue
January 2018 issue
Help Us Rearrange the Stars
It’s one of our favorite times of the year when our team at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation awards our annual Community Impact Grants to regional nonprofits. It also marks the start of the scholarship application process for students. Thanks to our generous donors, together we are rearranging the stars of local students of promise and providing more opportunity for nonprofits to create change in the region.
You can read all about that here in Cause & Effect as well as find information about the work that your Foundation is doing with regional partners.
It is also that special time when we connect with our seasonal donors, fundholders, friends and supporters more often, and when we get to make many new friends.
We hope to see you at the Foundation Community Hub this season at our art exhibit, or a short training on how to be a scholarship reviewer. Join us!
In Gratitude,
It’s Scholarship Season:
Just Add Student Scholars & Volunteer Reviewers
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s scholarship application portal is now open for the 2018-2019 school year. Deadline for application is March 4th.
More than 50 scholarships are available for local high-school students, undergraduate and graduate students from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
Students can apply through the Foundation’s online portal by clicking here.
Students may review the scholarships available online as well as a tutorial about how to create and submit the online application. Students may apply for multiple scholarships and have the ability to upload transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation and the FAFSA Student Aid Report through the portal.
Volunteers Needed to Review Scholarships
We are preparing for the all-important scholarship season to benefit Southwest Florida students.
Last year we received over 1,800 applications for these competitive awards. We strive for at least three reviewers for each one, so please consider giving your time to review scholarships this season.
As a reviewer, you will be an important part of our scholarships team. We have made it as simple as possible for our reviewers.
The only requirement is that you have internet access, can attend a Scholarship Reviewer Training session and, of course, have a passion for education and seeing students succeed.
For more information, contact Scholarship Coordinator Malaina Mote by clicking here or call her at 239-274-5900.
Southwest Florida Community Foundation Grants $539,000 to Local Nonprofits in Annual Community Impact Grants
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has awarded $539,582.58 to both established and new programs that are designed to increase the quality of life in sustainable and equitable ways for Southwest Floridians.
Twenty local nonprofits were granted money from our available Field of Interest funds which are funds established by donors who have specific cause areas and rely on the foundation to be the stewards of their funds for effective granting to address greatest needs within those cause areas in the region.
We are so pleased to welcome this amazing group of nonprofits to our 2018 Tribe,” said Sarah Owen, Southwest Florida Community Foundation president and CEO. “These relationships are true partnerships and we are grateful to our donors that make these grants possible. Generous people who care deeply about the region want to be certain that nonprofits serving their causes have the resources they need to create change and opportunity in Southwest Florida.”
To review the details of the grants, and to learn which regional nonprofits were awarded, please click here. We think you will be inspired!
Doctor Art
New Exhibit to feature the work of local physicians this February
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation will launch a new art display at its Community Hub in February.
Beginning February 2, “Art Doctors” will feature the art of five local physicians including Dr. Charlie Brown, Dr. Rich Lane, Dr. Ellen Sayet, Dr. Martin Sherman and Dr. Peter Sidell.
The exhibit is open to the public and will run the month of February during regular Community Foundation business hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some peices are located in meeting rooms so if you are interested in seeing the exhibit, please call before arriving to make sure all areas are accessible. The Community Hub is located at 8771 College Parkway, Building 2, Suite 201 in Fort Myers. Since GPS may get you lost, please consult our directions located here.
About the Artists
Click here to read more about the artists. The artists are graciously donatng 30% of the sale to the Fund for the Arts of Southwest Florida endowment, and the Foundation will grant proceeds to regional nonprofit arts organizations
Maximize Your Philanthropy and Tax Benefits
4 Smart Ways We Think Even Your Wealth Advisor Would Agree With…
Whether you’re retired, just beginning your benevolent journey or are somewhere in between, you have many possibilities to maximize your impact on your community, protect your money and realize major tax benefits. But those choices can be complex, offer multiple benefits, and require the advice of those you trust. Whether you rely on your attorney, your accountant, or other advisors, you can turn to your community foundation for worthwhile and effective opportunities.
Foundation National Standards Renewed
The Council on Foundations recently renewed our ever-important National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®, an accreditation program that represents a community foundation’s commitment to go above and beyond federal and state law requirements to demonstrate accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public. Click here to read more about the value of national standards.
Fundholders: 6-month statements to be mailed
Those who have a fund with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation or are a related party to a fund will be receiving the 6-month statement in early February to reflect your fund activity since July. Please be on the lookout for it!
And as always, you can get up to the minute information your fund activity through our online donor portal. Need more information on how to access your fund? Just give us a call at 239-274-5900 or click here to email Kathy Edwards.
Donors, if you would like an annual statement of your contributions for your tax purposes, please let us know!
The Collaboratory construction is underway,
click the link below to see the latest footage shot in January of the construction progress.
Coming in Summer 2018.
The Foundation In the News
LET’S KEEP SHOWING UP FOR EACH OTHER
as seen in Florida Weekly
The plates of cookies and pitchers of fruit-infused water went untouched for weeks. This surprised me….
CAUSE & EFFECT: STEPPING OUT OF THE BACK ROW
as seen in The News-Press
There are normally two distinct groups; the front row people who rush in and claim their spots in the first few rows….
@BUSINESSNETWORK
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So happy to share info about the Foundation to this early bunch @BusinessNetwork this morning….