by Caroline Ridgway, Special to Florida Weekly You know it’s a worthy celebration if both cake and social good are on the agenda, and the Southwest Florida Community Foundation knows how...
When I was a kid it was always a really big deal to stay up late enough to watch network television sign off for the night. I don’t remember exactly...
By Abby Schultz May 1, 2019 5:39 p.m. ET As seen in Barron's, click here to read the online version. After the U.N. developed its Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, corporations and investors began...
NAPLES, Fla. (April 22, 2019) – The Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and Conservancy of Southwest Florida formalized a three-year partnership to...
I have always been perplexed by people who become upset with inanimate objects. Someone who stubs their toe and is mad at the table, or unattended burned cookies become the...
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation hosted friends from the Battle Creek Community Foundation for the Inaugural C3 Luncheon, Calhoun County Connections. Community Foundation CEOs Sarah Owen, of Southwest Florida, and...
The Bonita Springs Community Advisory Committee recently presented $24,000 to two local nonprofits. Bonita Wonder Gardens, Inc. received $15,000 and Bonita Springs Concert Band, Inc. received $9,000. Bonita Wonder Gardens’ Eco-Camps will...
The Tommy Bohanon Foundation, operated by local NFL player Tommy Bohanon and his wife Katie, have started the Tommy Bohanon Scholarship Fund at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. After playing for...
During this month of “love,” I am pleased to share a love poem to the community written by residents who joined the trustees and team of the Southwest Florida Community...
For the past year I have been wearing a simple gold ring in the shape of a circle. It isn’t an infinity sign, but the continuous circle serves as a...
For nearly 30 years a woman I never met has been whispering in my ear every time I sit down to write. Sometimes she shows up in everyday conversations as...
Talking and writing about generosity and philanthropy in the month associated with love should come easy. By definition philanthropy is the love of humanity, and maybe that is all that...
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has awarded $596,923 to both established and new programs that are designed to increase the quality of life in sustainable and equitable ways for Southwest...
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently announced the promotion of Luis Leon to Chief Financial Officer for the Foundation. Leon joined the Foundation as accountant in 2012, was named controller in...
The woman sat awkwardly on the folding chair outside the dark office of a small business, continually checking the posted hours of operation and the calendar housed on her phone. Without...
Last week a teammate placed a hand-crafted sign on her desk that read, “this is my year” and I believe her. She is talented, committed and has some big goals. January...
I have long resisted the urge to use the phrase “huddle up everyone” in a team or staff meeting. As a lover of all things sports and team building, I...
In middle school I joined the band and learned how to play the flute (sort of). Most students gave the band a go as we grew up in an era...
If the weather in Southwest Florida dips below 60 degrees I pull out my winter wear. Coats, sweaters, scarves, tights and boots all emerge from my closet and I am...
It has been four years since I sent a family holiday card. Around October my expectations and intentions reach a pinnacle and I believe that a festive greeting and a...
On one of our many corporate transfers, my family found themselves in Daytona Beach for a few years. Anyone who has lived the life of moving every couple of calendar...
I just returned from a series of meetings and a conference in New York City. I was traveling solo most of the week which provided me plenty of alone time...
I knew it wouldn’t be long before someone asked me about ghosts. When the Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently moved into our new home, Collaboratory, we were following in the...
When I was a kid there was a corny saying that worked its way into conversations whenever someone said something that rhymed. I am guessing most of you have uttered it at...
120 people from 32 nonprofits from throughout Southwest Florida gathered on Saturday, Nov. 3 for Dan Pallotta's Bolder Board Training at Collaboratory located in midtown Fort Myers. The event was...
There are certain times it is not wise to search for information on the internet. I am reminded of this every time I google an unknown medical symptom, or the...
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently welcomed two team members. Marina Nassif and Austin Brooks have joined the Foundation’s finance team. Nassif will serve as Controller and is a certified public accountant....
I noticed the Guide to Flipping Houses on the internet not too long ago, “5 Easy Steps to House Flipping.” I’m a closet fan of Flip or Flop, Flipping Out...
by Marianne Weiss, Vice President of Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast offers a unique opportunity for local companies to...
by Alex Olivares, M.S., Executive Director, The Center for Progress and Excellence Inc. The Center for Progress and Excellence Inc. (CPE) applied for a community impact grant in 2017. The proposed...
by Anne Chernin, MSW, MBA, Director of Client Services At Naples Senior Center we know that caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging and,...
My husband and I went to high school together, but we were not high school sweethearts. Although we were just one year apart and had mutual friends, we are fairly...
$30,000 Grant Check to be presented to help women with education for a career in healthcare The Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation will hold its 2018...
by Gina Frazier, board member, I Will Mentorship Foundation “What I liked about S.T.E.M this week is it tells young ladies that there is more to the world than phones, it...
by Melissa Barlow, Director of Arts and Community Programs, The Heights Center The Heights Center is a 2018 recipient of a Southwest Florida Community Foundation Arts, Community and Culture Community Impact...
by Lauren G. Schmidt, Health Education Program Consultant, Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County Charlotte County children suffer unnecessary dental complications due to limited dental treatment options for the under...
The Washington Monument is beautiful at night and when I am on journeys to our nation’s capital I make a point to visit the iconic landmark in the moonlight. On...
I work alongside a team member who likes to ask “there are no bad ideas, right?” before she launches into an idea generating session at the office. I find myself...
by Jack Ham, Principal, The Academy, Port Charlotte, Fla. Another school year has come to a close, and The Academy has even more reason to celebrate than usual. Given the school's...
Preventing Dog Bites in Elementary Aged Children in Lee County By Nicole Ferguson-Morrison, DVM, MS, MPH, MRCVS Veterinarian, Lee County Domestic Animal Services Dog bites are a frightening experience for anyone, especially children....
The sights and sounds of commencements are all around us this time of year. I remember my own graduations and the sense that the whole world had stopped and noted...
135 scholarships awarded through 91 scholarships funds for high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently granted $761,650 and 135 scholarships through a competitive process...
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation will bring nationally renowned author and TED talk speaker Dan Pallotta to town on Saturday, November 3 for a one-day Board training seminar for nonprofit...
Last week I ran into now former Fort Myers city councilman, Mike Flanders in a downtown coffee shop. I flagged him down on his way out the door to introduce...
I found out last week that I am not the only one with a storied past. If you are a regular reader of this column you know that I share...
Can you imagine standing up on stage in front of a large rowdy crowd and reading excerpts from your childhood diary? It seems unimaginable to me, but last weekend I...
I decided to work from home today, so I am not wearing my business attire and am writing this from my comfortable couch with a very different view out the...
by the Team of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation What on earth do you plan to do in honor of Earth Day this week? While the official Earth Day is April...
I have been a life long environmentalist. As boy, I sailed with my family all along the East Coast from New York to Maine. As a young adult, I took...
No doubt many of you are recovering from the recent Easter egg hunting season. Spring is in the air and for weeks leading up to the Easter Bunny’s annual pilgrimage...
