Press Releases

10 Oct

Community Foundation to host public opening of new Collaboratory

Arts Community & Culture Climate Change Community Design Economy & Jobs Education Environment Equity & Empowerment Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change Sustainability

Party in the Park to include food trucks, live entertainment, free ice cream, games, tours and more The Southwest Florida Community Foundation will host a Public Grand Opening and Party in...

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09 Oct

Community Foundation Launches Immigration Program Grant – Hires Immigration Program Officer to Run New Program

Equity & Empowerment Press Releases Resources for Change

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is launching its first ever Immigrant Program Grant. With funding from The Florida Bar Foundation and national funders, the 2019 Immigration Program Grant season opens with a...

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28 Sep

Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund to hold Fall breakfast

Education Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

$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...

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20 Sep

Motorists won’t have to pay Sanibel Causeway toll 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Arts Community & Culture Press Releases Resources for Change

Donation from Foundation made to encourage people to support island businesses Fort Myers, FL, Sept. 20, 2018 – Motorists who cross the Sanibel Causeway between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday,...

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27 Aug

Relief fund established for those affected by water crisis

Economy & Jobs Environment Equity & Empowerment Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Relief fund established for those affected by water crisis 100% of contributions will be disbursed in Lee County – donors encouraged to give FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 27, 2018)...

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12 Jun

$93,700 AWARDED TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT IN MEMORY OF JORDAN ASHLEY GUTHEIM

Education Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

20-year-old graduate of Evangelical Christian School and a junior at Florida State University, was killed two years ago in a car accident Four local nonprofits, a church mission trip and a high school senior were this year’s recipients of funds from the...

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23 May

Southwest Florida Community Foundation awards $761,650 in scholarships

Education Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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23 May

Scholarship Reviewer Thank You Reception and Photo Gallery

Education Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

Several of the 111 volunteer scholarship reviewers for the Southwest Florida Community Foundation's 2018 scholarship season joined the Foundation team for the Scholarship Reviewer Thank You Reception on May 3...

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16 May

Author and TED speaker Dan Pallotta to lead Board Training Seminar in November – Tickets and early registration prices now available

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change Sustainability

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...

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24 Apr

Hurricane Relief Fund supported by Bonita Springs Community Fund

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

The Bonita Springs Community Fund, a fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, presented two $20,000 checks to the United Way to provide support to Habitat for Humanity and the...

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23 Apr

Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund hosts spring luncheon for contributors – Photo Gallery

Economy & Jobs Education Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change Sustainability

More than 80 Women’s Legacy Fund contributors and Prima Donors recently attended the Southwest Florida Community Foundation Fund’s spring luncheon. The luncheon was exclusively for WLF contributors and Prima Donors....

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27 Mar

SWFL Community Foundation launches Earth Day campaign

Environment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

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...

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23 Mar

Fort Myers couple establishes virtual $1 million endowment with Southwest Florida Community Foundation

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

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...

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20 Feb

Art Doctors Reception Photo Gallery

Arts Community & Culture Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

View the Art Doctors Reception Photo Gallery...

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23 Jan

Multi-donor LGBT fund awards grant

Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

Multi-donor fund supports unique challenges and opportunities facing local LGBT community The LGBT Community Fund of Southwest Florida, a fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, recently awarded $15,000 to Collier...

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19 Jan

Southwest Florida Community Foundation grants $539,000 to local nonprofits in annual Community Impact Grants

Arts Community & Culture Community Design Economy & Jobs Education Environment Equity & Empowerment Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change Sustainability

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...

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12 Jan

Community Foundation to showcase new art exhibit

Arts Community & Culture Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

New exhibit features artwork by five local physicians The Southwest Florida Community Foundation will launch a new art display at its Community Hub in February. Beginning February 2, “Art Doctors” will feature...

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09 Jan

Community Foundation scholarship application process begins

Economy & Jobs Education Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

FAFSA form required for scholarships The Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s scholarship application process for the 2018-2019 school year will begin this month and all scholarships require the Free Application for Federal...

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15 Nov

Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s Annual Report now available

More than $5 million granted to community The Southwest Florida Community Foundation released its 2016-2017 Annual Report online at www.floridacommunity.com/annual-report. Since its inception 41 years ago, the Community Foundation has distributed more...

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04 Nov

Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces new $5 million fund for new Collaboratory

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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09 Sep

Relief fund established for victims of Hurricane Irma Launched

Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

100% of contributions will be disbursed to those in need via United Way FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2017) – The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has joined forces with the United...

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30 Aug

Relief funds established for victims of Southwest Florida Flood and Hurricane Harvey

Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

100% of contributions will be disbursed to organizations directly helping those in need. The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has joined forces to create giving funds to help our local neighbors enduring...

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18 Aug

Crawford joins Southwest Florida Community Foundation board

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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21 Jul

Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces executive committee

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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11 Jul

LGBT Community Fund’s annual call for letters of idea -Fund will grant $15,000 to an idea that promotes equality

Equity & Empowerment Press Releases

A fund of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, the LGBT Community Fund of Southwest Florida is placing its annual call for letters of idea (LOI) to grant $15,000 to an...

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06 Jul

Shark Tank for Veterans Awards Grants to Top Veterans

Economy & Jobs Education Equity & Empowerment Press Releases

FGCU Institute for Entrepreneurship Hosts Second Annual Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 28, 2017)– Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Institute for Entrepreneurship concluded the second annual Veterans Florida...

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09 Jun

Southwest Florida Community Foundation awards $800,000 in scholarships

Economy & Jobs Education Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

150 scholarships awarded through 88 scholarships funds for high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently granted a record $800,000 and 150 scholarships through a...

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05 Jun

Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund announces annual call for grant applications

Economy & Jobs Education Equity & Empowerment Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

Grant cycle closes June 29, 2017 The Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is placing its annual call for grant applications. This year, the WLF will be...

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17 May

$133,000 awarded to local nonprofits and scholarship recipient in memory of Jordan Ashley Gutheim

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

20-year-old graduate of Evangelical Christian School and a junior at Florida State University was killed one year ago in a car accident...

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The Land of Opportunity Fund established at Southwest Florida Community Foundation – Two pilot programs launched

Arts Community & Culture Community Design Education Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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30 Apr

Community Foundation hosts thank-you reception for scholarship reviewer

Education Press Releases Resources for Change

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...

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28 Apr

Were you there from the beginning?

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

Thank you to everyone who joined us Thursday morning, April 27 for History in the Re-Making....

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24 Apr

Moon joins Southwest Florida Community Foundation board

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently added Frederick Moon to its board of trustees....

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24 Apr

Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund hosts spring luncheon for contributors

Arts Community & Culture Education Press Releases Resources for Change

Nearly 100 Women’s Legacy Fund contributors and Prima Donors recently attended the Fund’s spring luncheon. The luncheon was complimentary and exclusively for WLF contributors and Prima Donors in celebration of...

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14 Apr

Community invited to construction kickoff of new Southwest Florida Community Foundation Collaboratory

Community Design Press Releases Resources for Change

The Board of Trustees of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the City of Fort Myers City Council and staff will host a Construction Kickoff Community Celebration of the Foundation’s...

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08 Apr

Southwest Florida Community Foundation Fund for the Environment Inspired by Earth Day

Environment Press Releases Resources for Change

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is crowdfunding for the Fund for the Environment...

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10 Mar

Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund to hold spring luncheon for contributors

Arts Community & Culture Blog Education Equity & Empowerment Press Releases Resources for Change

The Women’s Legacy Fund will host its spring luncheon on Friday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club located at 14500 Vista River Drive in...

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07 Mar

Southwest Florida Community Foundation to showcase new art exhibit

Arts Community & Culture Blog Press Releases Resources for Change

New exhibit features paintings inspired by artist Judi Ekholm’s national park visits The Southwest Florida Community Foundation will launch a new art display at its Community Hub in April. Beginning April 6,...

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Southwest Florida Community Foundation grantees’ reports 2016 results

Arts Community & Culture Blog Community Design Economy & Jobs Education Environment Equity & Empowerment Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

The 18 local nonprofits granted $551,500 in 2016 from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s available Field of Interest funds as well as individual and corporate donations, have reported their annual...

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14 Feb

Less than two weeks to apply for Community Foundation scholarships

Blog Education Press Releases Resources for Change

FAFSA form required for need-based scholarships The deadline for the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s scholarship application process is fast approaching with less than two weeks left to apply. Closing on March 3,...

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13 Feb

Southwest Florida Community Foundation grants more than $550,000 to local nonprofits

Arts Community & Culture Blog Community Design Economy & Jobs Education Environment Equity & Empowerment Health Safety & Animals Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases Resources for Change

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has awarded $557,036.00 to both established and new programs that are designed to increase the quality of life in sustainable and equitable ways for Southwest...

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26 Jan

Southwest Florida Community Foundation hosts Prima Donors and Impact Dunbar

Blog Community Design Education Press Releases Resources for Change

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently hosted more than a dozen of its Women’s Legacy Fund’s Prima Donors for dinner and conversation on Impact Dunbar, a new fund established by...

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20 Jan

Funds established in memory of Jordan Ashley Gutheim

Blog Press Releases Resources for Change

The Gutheim family has established the Jordan Ashley Gutheim Foundation Fund and the Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship Fund, funds of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The donor advised fund and scholarship...

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11 Jan

Florida Repertory Theatre establishes agency endowment fund with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation

Blog Press Releases Resources for Change

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,...

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06 Jan

Community Foundation scholarship application process begins in January

Blog Education Press Releases

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s scholarship application process for the 2017-2018 school year will begin this month, and need-based scholarships require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form...

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05 Jan

Southwest Florida Community Foundation announces $10 million New Markets Tax Credit project

Blog Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

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...

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25 Dec

Airport Santa Saves the Day

Arts Community & Culture Blog Press Releases Resources for Change

Neon orange shirt, crisp khaki shorts, tennis shoes, snowy white beard affixed with elastic band and a traditional red Santa hat. He looked exactly like what you might imagine for...

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16 Nov

Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s Annual Report now available -Record $5 million granted to community

Press Releases Reports Resources for Change

Record $5 million granted to community FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2016) –Celebrating its 40th anniversary as leaders in philanthropy in our region, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation is now sharing...

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09 Nov

Community Foundation showcases Wide Open Spaces exhibit

Arts Community & Culture Press Releases

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation recently hosted more than 50 guests at its Community Hub for the launch of its new art display “Wide Open Spaces”...

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08 Nov

Veranda hosts Southwest Florida Community Foundation to celebrate Philanthropy Month

Philanthopy & Community Trust Press Releases

To kick off Philanthropy Month, the Veranda restaurant in downtown Fort Myers recently hosted the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s board of trustees and guests....

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