Out of Time
When I was a kid, I fell in love with the band REM. It was the album Out of Time that changed the way I thought about music and made...
04
Apr
2018
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02
Apr
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: No Great Future in Plastics After All, Mr. McGuire
Plastics. This one word is actually ranked number 63 in the American Film Institute’s list of the top 100 movie quotations in American Cinema. It appears in the 1967 movie...
27
Mar
2018
SWFL Community Foundation launches Earth Day campaign
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has launched an Earth Day campaign to raise awareness and funds for the environment in Southwest Florida. The “Earth Day the SWFL Way” campaign is meant...
23
Mar
2018
Fort Myers couple establishes virtual $1 million endowment with Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Ardent community supporters Richard and Vicki Pitbladdo recently collaborated with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to establish a virtual $1 million endowment. “This virtual endowment fund is reflective of the new...
14
Mar
2018
Where We Start Shapes Where We’re Going
Recently I was enjoying a cup of coffee with a new acquaintance who had reached out to learn more giving and philanthropy in Southwest Florida. When he asked me about myself...
05
Mar
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Translating for Change
As I stood in the massive ticketing lobby of the Mexico City International Airport I was swept up in a wave of unfamiliarity. I felt disoriented and it took a...
21
Feb
2018
Not Lost in Translation
Wandering into the Chapultepec Forest seemed a bit mysterious. As I stood at the gates leading into one of the largest parks in the Western Hemisphere, I didn’t have a plan. I...
05
Feb
2018
CAUSE & EFFECT: Keep Dropping Keys
The theme of a recent conference I attended was delivered in the form of a question, “What Drives You?” Throughout the three days I spent with other grant makers and funders...
24
Jan
2018
Let’s Keep Showing Up for Each Other
The plates of cookies and pitchers of fruit-infused water went untouched for weeks. This surprised me as I thought the smell of warm chocolate chip wonders and refreshing thirst quenchers...
17
Jan
2018
It Only Takes a Spark
I am a Girl Scout and a Boy Scout. I joined the Girl Scouts as a young girl, starting out as a Brownie scout and staying involved all the way through...
03
Jan
2018
Something About Mary
There was something very special about Mary. She lived to be 96 and during her lifetime she was educated, married a wonderful man, was well-traveled, had children and grandchildren she...
06
Dec
2017
Some Things Just Can’t be Automated
It’s tough to have a conversation without checking the Internet. We try to remember movies, facts, dates, and determine the best brand of this or that on a daily basis. ...
29
Nov
2017
When School is Closed So Is the Kitchen
Our community does an amazing job providing food for hungry people during the holidays. My email inbox and social media feeds explode this time of the year with stories of...
15
Nov
2017
Pull Over or Turn Back for a Great Report
Recently I was traveling on a back road in Northeast Florida that reminded me of car trips with my grandparents. I spent many of my childhood summers with them and...
08
Nov
2017
A Gentle Purposeful Push
Whenever my adult kids travel home for the holidays I can count on at least one conversation with each of them on the topic of why I didn't push them...
07
Nov
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Don’t Miss a Chance to Talk Turkey about Philanthropy
In just a few short weeks Southwest Floridians will be gathering around Thanksgiving tables with friends and family. I am in the gratitude business so you can imagine that Thanksgiving is...
04
Nov
2017
Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces new $5 million fund for new Collaboratory
Milestone $2.5 million endowment gift by local philanthropists David and Linda Lucas inspires new fund Watch interview with Mr. Lucas by clicking here. FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 1, 2017) – The Southwest...
30
Aug
2017
Keeping Our GEMS in STEM
by Laura Frost, Director, Whitaker Center for STEM Education at FGCU Meet Cecelia who as a fifth grader loved math and science. When she got to middle school, she started to...
18
Aug
2017
Crawford joins Southwest Florida Community Foundation board
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces Mary Beth Crawford has joined its board of trustees. Crawford is a principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and is based in the...
09
Aug
2017
Leveling the Playing Field
by Laura M. Perry, President, Glades Education Foundation, Inc. With baseball season in full swing, we savor the crack of the bat and the smell of popcorn and hotdogs, while relishing the...
07
Aug
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Books, Backpacks and Behavioral Health
Brace yourselves for the onslaught of back to school promotions. For those of you who grew up when school started after Labor Day the abundance of ads for all things...
26
Jul
2017
Cooking up Career Success
by Vickie Rydz, Grants Manager, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida For many Southwest Floridians, the mantra, “Season is over!” refers to reduced traffic, shorter waiting lines at grocery stores and shops,...
21
Jul
2017
Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces executive committee
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces its new executive committee. Dr. Larry Hobbs will serve as the Foundation’s new chairman of the board of trustees; Craig Folk will serve as vice...
21
Jun
2017
The Role of Creative Arts and Dementia
by Anne M. Chernin, MBA, MSW, Director of Client Services JFCS of Southwest Florida Last month I had the opportunity to travel to the University of Florida in Gainesville to participate in...
05
Jun
2017
CAUSE & EFFECT: Love Actually or Love Mandatory?
When I walked into our office break room last week I was greeted by the aroma of bar-b-que, a beautiful bowl of tomatoes, fresh bread and a homemade Texas sheet...
24
May
2017
The Right Fit
I have a great pair of shoes that I never wear. I bought them the night before a special event and did not have much time to decide. When I...
The Land of Opportunity Fund established at Southwest Florida Community Foundation – Two pilot programs launched
The Land of Opportunity Fund, an endowed field of interest fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, has been established by an anonymous donor who will match donations of $50,000...
30
Apr
2017
Community Foundation hosts thank-you reception for scholarship reviewer
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently hosted 50 of its scholarship reviewers at a thank-you reception on April 20. Maria Valladares, a student of Nova Southeastern read a poem she...
24
Apr
2017
Moon joins Southwest Florida Community Foundation board
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently added Frederick Moon to its board of trustees....
29
Mar
2017
Memories
My friend had tears in her eyes as she shared her visit with a woman she hadn’t seen in years at an assisted living complex in town. The facility was comfortable...
08
Mar
2017
Pause and Reflect to Imagine New Paths
I think one of the greatest technological advancements in my lifetime is the pause feature on machines of all sorts and electronic devices. Whether it is the ability to throw one...
01
Mar
2017
The Best of Times
A friend invited me to lunch last week. Not long ago she had a highly successful career, owned her own business, and was a leader in her field. Those were...
22
Feb
2017
Community Love Notes
Last week I was driving down College Parkway in Fort Myers and noticed a car stalled out in a turn lane. A moment later people were racing across the road...
15
Feb
2017
Some Who Wander Are Actually Lost
I enjoy the challenge of navigating a new city, particularly as a solo traveler. I feel empowered when I am able to get from point A to point B on...
06
Feb
2017
Cause & Effect: It’s All Gone.
It’s all gone. That was the message delivered by my friend who emailed to let me know that the home shared by multi- generations of her family had been lost...
18
Jan
2017
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your Treadmills
I went to a new gym last week. I realize lots of people went back to gyms over the past few weeks as part of a blurry eyed pact they...
11
Jan
2017
Florida Repertory Theatre establishes agency endowment fund with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation
The Florida Repertory Theatre’s board of directors recently established a nonprofit agency endowment fund with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. Established by nonprofit organizations,...
11
Jan
2017
How are you going to change the world?
How are you going to change the world? It was an innocent enough question that I asked each of the young professionals who visited our office last week. These six young...
05
Jan
2017
Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces $10 million New Markets Tax Credit project
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2017) – The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently closed on a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit deal to be used to restore the historic...
28
Dec
2016
It’s Review Week
The tables at my favorite coffee shops have been occupied to overflowing the last couple of weeks. At first glance I thought it was probably the influx of winter residents...
07
Dec
2016
Holiday Dinners, Dolls, and Dignity
Holiday giving is heartwarming. There are so many opportunities to reach out into the community and do something generous for a neighbor. I don’t think there is any easier time of...
30
Nov
2016
A Potluck of Purpose
My preteen eyes would scan the table spread with bubbling casseroles and gelatin salads in search of the coveted homemade macaroni and cheese. It would arrive safely in its protective...
23
Nov
2016
Gratitude in the Present Tense
My sister-in-law has a decorative plaque hanging in her house that begs the question, “What if tomorrow you had only the things you gave thanks for today?” Inspirational quotes show up...
09
Nov
2016
Some Records Are Made to be Broken
I recently heard a story in which a man was trying to break a Guinness World Record by rowing the distance in a boat made out of a huge, human-sized...
07
Nov
2016
CAUSE & EFFECT: Purpose Driven Politics
“Britt Is It” for President is my all-time favorite political slogan. You won’t be seeing Britt on next week’s ballot but this candidate did make a successful presidential run back...
29
Oct
2016
Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund hosts fall luncheon – New fund, grant funding and ‘Angels’ announced
The Women’s Legacy Fund hosted more than 130 attendees at its annual fall luncheon on Oct. 20 at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club....
03
Oct
2016
CAUSE & EFFECT: What a Difference a Season Can Make
One of my favorite questions over a cup a coffee with a friend, colleague or new acquaintance is, “What’s on the horizon in your world that you are most excited...
21
Sep
2016
Connecting People with Plants and Beyond
by Renee Waller, Communications Coordinator, Naples Botanical Garden At Naples Botanical Garden, we strive to not only connect people with plants, but also to inspire and offer barrier-free access to the...
14
Sep
2016
The Immokalee Foundation gives young readers the literacy boost they need to succeed
by Steven Kissinger, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation When older students help younger students improve their reading skills, the impact is great on many levels. The Immokalee Foundation’s Immokalee Readers program...
07
Sep
2016
Pre-school/Library Partnership for Success: Moving the Needle on Kindergarten Readiness
by Ava Barrett, Director, Hendry County Library Cooperative How do you change unfavorable educational ratings in a county? The Hendry County Library System believes the answer is “from the bottom up.”...