Heather Strasser

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Since our founding by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council in 1979, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has been making the important connection between individuals' personal memories, passions and dreams, and the fulfillment of their charitable goals. By actively listening to the desires of our donors, we help create permanent charitable funds that ensure people of vision have an enduring impact on our community and the causes they hold dear. Our motto — "Be the One" — reflects our deeply-held belief that anyone can be a philanthropist and give back to our community, regardless of means. With assets of $417 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds, we have the expertise and ability to award millions of dollars in grants and scholarships to local students and nonprofits each year. Since our founding, more than $274 million has been invested back into the communities we serve throughout the region in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, animal welfare, and the environment. Our support for local nonprofits branches out beyond grantmaking to include building upon their strength and capacity to ensure our donors' charitable dollars create meaningful impact through our nonprofit resources, workshops and trainings, and volunteer consultants. Additionally, we connect with local professional advisors to provide highly personal and impact-orientated support, information, and expertise on planned giving and estate planning. It is this mosaic of donors, nonprofits, professional advisors, and community members that drives and empowers our mission to create lasting impact through charitable giving in our shared community. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org.