Acting Today, For A Better Tomorrow

Partnering with our citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service — now and forever.

As we enjoy the afterglow of Spirit of Manatee, Manatee County’s celebration of Philanthropy, we see the ripple effects of the many acts of kindness and giving of exceptional people. Congratulations, once again, to the honorees:

Lorenzo Liberti, Young Spirit

The Sertoma Club of Bradenton, Community Spirit

Johnette Isham (Posthumous), Charles Clapsaddle Community Spotlight

H. Lawrence Clark, Leadership Spirit

Amanda and John Horne, Mary E Parker Lifetime Spirit

Please visit our Spirit of Manatee landing page to view videos, photos, and more.

And in that spirit, let us celebrate as well the many contributions our donors make through their Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) with MCF.

DAFs are set up by individuals, couples, families, and private foundations as a flexible, accessible way to support the nonprofit organizations they care about in partnership with a community foundation. The 2024 National Study on Donor Advised Funds study reveals that a DAF remains a most nimble philanthropic vehicle that supports a wide range of giving patterns and preferences. At MCF, we are deeply connected with our donor family. We learn about your preferences and help amplify your impact so you may reach your philanthropic goals. Thank you, for choosing us as your partner in philanthropy.

The benefits of DAFs at MCF are many, and include:

Tax Savings
Administrative Cost Savings
Enhanced Privacy
Advice and support in giving

The study also reveals that, on average, grants to the general operations of nonprofit organizations comprised 59% of those made, signifying that philanthropists understand that investing in our nonprofit partners' infrastructure is the key to advancing their missions.

If you would like to learn more about how a Donor Advised Fund could support your giving, please reach out to Jennifer Abbott, at JAbbott@ManateeCF.org or 941.747.7765. We are always happy to discuss your interests and work together to make our world a better place.

Thank you, current and future donors, professional advisors, corporate ambassadors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders, for acting today, for a better tomorrow.

Thank you!

Veronica Thames,

Executive Director

Key Bridge Emergency Fund

Baltimore Community Foundation has launched the Key Bridge Emergency Fund to provide a thoughtful and sustained response to last week’s bridge collapse.

The fund will support immediate and ongoing support to impacted individuals, communities, and organizations.

Learn More

Get Behind the Scenes of Healthy Teens with

MCF's Virtual Breakfast Club

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Zoom

Join Manatee Community Foundation virtually as we tour Healthy Teens.

We will learn how Healthy Teens is dedicated to the success and well-being of teens, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their physical, emotional, and mental health.

Healthy Teens programs fill a profound gap in health education services in our community. They will share how their work is grounded in data and best practices for youth education and engagement.

Invite a friend, we look forward to learning with you!

MCF Board Member Spotlight:

Dr. Xavier Sevilla

Originally from Ecuador, Dr. Sevilla is a primary care pediatrician in Bradenton. He has a passion for Quality Improvement (QI), especially relating to primary care office practices. He started his QI journey in 2003, when he was awarded the honorable mention of the Quality of Care Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics for his work on improving care for the medically underserved patients in Manatee County, Florida.

Learn More About Dr. Sevilla

The City of Bradenton Wants To Hear From You:

Take the Bradenton Visioning Survey Today

The City of Bradenton is embarking on a citywide vision for the built environment. To kick off this effort, they are looking to get input from all corners of the city on issues they see affecting people in the long term and more immediately, and seeking to understand how we use the city day to day. Please take the time to answer the short survey at https://bit.ly/bradentonvision.

Take the Survey

Creative. Strategic. Measurable.

Building Your Roadmap for Brand Growth

May 9, 2024

Breakfast: 8:30 am | Program: 9 am - 10:30 am

Manatee Community Foundation Office

2820 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

This presentation will empower you to create your own strategic marketing action plan. From assembling login credentials to setting KPIs to exhibiting ROI, you will walk away with an understanding of the power of multiple communications channels and how to convert leads to loyal customers. Tactics discussed will include social media, digital marketing, SEO/Topic Authority, reputation management, video production, public relations, email marketing, website best practices, effective use of AI, and more.

Speaker: Allison Imre, Owner/Operator of Grapevine Communications

Successful Succession Planning for the Board and Staff

June 13, 2024

Breakfast: 8:30 am | Program: 9 am - 10:30 am

Manatee Community Foundation Office

2820 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

We are often too worried about the present to plan for the future. However, for the long-term success and sustainability of your organization, succession planning is a must.

Succession planning at two levels of the organization is required. Both at the board and the senior staff level. If your Executive Director were to take another job or be unable to fulfill their role, what would you do? What if several of your board members, all of a sudden, can no longer be on the board? Do you have potential board members in the pipeline ready to step in?

Together, we will discuss strategies for minimizing the risk involved in leadership transition, creating a robust pipeline of potential board members, and creating a succession plan for both your board and senior staff.

Speaker: Michael Corley, The Corley Company

VIEW ADDITIONAL UPCOMING TRAININGS

MCF in the News

Sarasota-Manatee community leaders, US Rep. Vern Buchanan put focus on child care crisis