REAL HELP - Southwest Florida Community Foundation

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Unity throUgh oUr mission The mission of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is to connect donors and their philanthropic aspirations with evolving community needs. "Our vision is to be the leading resource in Southwest Florida for compassionate and flexible charitable giving." Areas we fund include: The Arts, Environment, Education, Human Services, Healthcare, Animal Welfare and Preservation National Standards The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is proud to be recognized and confirmed as being compliant with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. Why National Standards Are Important for Community Foundations?* Community foundations in the United States serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $31 billion in charitable funds, and address core concerns of more than 650 communities and regions. There are many reasons that standards are important for both established and new community foundations. National Standards guide sound policies and accountability practices, distinguish the field from others, and build the capacity of community foundations to carry out their missions. These standards promote excellence in six key areas: Mission, Structure and Governance, Resource Development, Stewardship and Accountability, Grantmaking and Community Leadership, Donor Relations, and Communications. * The above information comes from the Council on Foundations. For more information on National Standards and the Council on Foundation, please contact them at 202-466-6512 or visit their website at www.cof.org. By the NumBerS 1976 Year Southwest Florida Community Foundation was formed 329 Number of endowed funds through the SWFLCF $81 million Contributions received since we started $50 million Grant & scholarship money provided since we started 9 Number of employees at SWFLCF 4 www.floridacommunity.com
What is a Community Foundation? A community foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit, autonomous, publicly supported, nonsectarian, philanthropic institution with a long-term goal of building permanent, named component funds established by many separate donors for the broad-based charitable benefit of the residents of a defined geographic area, typically no larger than a state. The Southwest Florida Community Foundation (SWFLCF) has established and continues to build a permanent collection of endowed funds from a variety of sources. Contributions are then combined and invested. This pooling of resources allows people of all means and income levels to contribute to and become a part of their community. Each year, earnings from the endowed funds are returned to the community in the form of grants, scholarships, and other charitable distributions, improving the quality of life for community residents. Because we know the local area, the Community Foundation can readily facilitate a donor’s specific wishes, or help to put a donor in touch with innovative, effective organizations that the donor may not already know. The Southwest Florida Community Foundation empowers Southwest Florida by producing a continuous stream of income to address changing community needs over time with our endowed funds. For 35 years, SWFLCF has been the leading resource in connecting donors and their philanthropic aspirations with evolving community needs in Southwest Florida. SWFLCF provides grants and scholarships in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has awarded $50 million. The diversity and flexibility of the funds established and maintained by SWFLCF cover a multitude of worthy organizations and causes throughout Southwest Florida. Why a Community Foundation? Community foundations go beyond simply making grants that advance charitable activities. They also identify current and emerging issues, channel resources to address their communities’ needs, and help their regions prepare for the future. Unity throUgh oUr mission REAL PEoPLE | REAL HELP Reading isn’t just a discipline or a skill; it’s a master key that unlocks a multitude of doors. Speaking of the importance of reading, Abraham Lincoln said, “A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others.” Reading allows us to experience the experiences of others and to discover their discoveries. For children, reading can unlock doors to faraway places, and when reading is supported by modern technology, visiting those faraway places becomes possible without even having to travel. Thanks to two recent Community Foundation grants totaling $40,000, Catholic Charities/the African Caribbean American Center (AFCAAM) was able to continue supporting its after school reading program and also add a computer lab. Using the computer lab, creative teachers have been taking their young students on “virtual” trips around the world. While travelling virtually through Paris, for example, the students view photos and read all about the city’s historic sites, museums, and daily life in another country. This is just one way in which generous Southwest Floridians are using their charitable passion for education to make a difference in the lives of local children. www.floridacommunity.com 5
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Page 3: From the President/Ceo Often times
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Page 9 and 10: How We Make An Impact Contributors
Page 11 and 12: Linda Ackert Maureen Bashaw Alexand
Page 13 and 14: Arden McCurdy Margaret Bly McLean J
Page 15 and 16: HoW To APPLY FoR GRANTS SWFLCF gran
Page 17 and 18: The Foundation for Lee County Publi
Page 19 and 20: 2011 Scholarship Fund Recipients AA
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Page 23 and 24: Walter B. & dorothy LaChicotte Fund
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Page 27 and 28: honorariums in honor of Janet eusti
Page 29 and 30: Sam & Kathy Galloway, Jr. Suzanne G
Page 31 and 32: Anne Tatler Lee Anne Tauck Charles
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Page 35 and 36: Investment objectives The primary,

REAL HELP - Southwest Florida Community Foundation

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