Impact100 SRQ awards $763,000 to local nonprofits

By Ian Swaby
| 1:30 p.m. November 9, 2023

Nonprofit director Betsy Friedman presents a grant to Kinsey Robb, executive director of Art Center Sarasota.

Sarasota
Neighbors

For many women, joining Impact100 SRQ marks the first time they have written a $1,000 check to an organization, said Pam Kandziora, president of the nonprofit.

Nonetheless, she said the organization is the fastest-growing Impact100 chapter in the world, having been able to multiply the required $1,000 per member donation exponentially during each of its years serving the community.

The fifth Annual Celebration & Award Ceremony, held Nov. 8 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, featured presentations by 10 finalists, seven of which were chosen, through a vote by members, to receive grants of $109,000 each.

These grants will fund transformational projects often not achievable through traditional funding, said Kandziora.

"I'm so excited. I'm honestly so happy to see how many girls are going to be impacted now," said Girl Scouts member Kenzie Shockey, 15, after the receipt of a grant by Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida to built an amphitheater at Camp Honi Hanta in Bradenton.

"That's what we want to do — fund something that really changes the way (organizations) are able to serve the community," Kandziora said.

"This is an awesome opportunity for the wildlife and our community, and it will have a large positive impact on the county," said Pamela DeFouw, executive director of the Paul A. & Veronica H. Gross Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, which was awarded a grant to construct a 100-foot flyway for rehabiliation of birds of prey.

Katy McBrayer-Lynch, who first came to Sarasota Youth Court 22 years ago as a teenager with multiple criminal charges, said the organization changed her life when Heather Todd, the organization's current CEO, became her client coordinator.

"It means so much to me personally," she said. "That's what this is for, it's for more Heather Todds to be able to uniquely sit down with these individuals and decide how they're going to change their life."

Grant recipients

Art Center Sarasota
Youth Digital Art Lab & Classroom Upgrade: Building a Digital Arts Program + Expanding Classroom Capabilities initiative (Expansion of youth program to include digital technology, and upgrading of classroom space)

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.
Girl Scouts Amphitheater on the River initiative (construction of amphitheater at Camp Honi Hanta)

The Paul A. and Veronica H. Gross Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida
Help Florida’s Raptors Soar – Construction of a 100-foot flyway for raptor rehabilitation initiative

Jewish Family & Children's Services of the Suncoast
School and Family Wellness Support Services initiative (funding of a mental health professional with a focus on family, and a part-time case manager to coordinate wrap-around services)

Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc.
Legal Lifeline For Youth initiative (funding of a second children's attorney)

Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.
Empowering Families through a Second Chance initiative (funding for an additional client coordinator and support staff)

Easterseals Southwest Florida
Bringing the Magic of Gardening to Children, Teens, and Adults with Disabilities initiative (a new, wheelchair-accessible Grow and Learn Garden)

Finalists

Venice Theatre
Curtain's Up! Initiative (construction and installation of stage curtains at the Jervey Theatre, replacing those destroyed during Hurricane Ian)

Manatee School for the Arts
Technical Theatre Advancement Project initiative (funding to replace broken and outdated sound and lighting equipment with state-of-the-art versions)

Master Gardener Volunteers, a chapter of Friends of Sarasota County Parks
Learning Florida-Friendly Landscape Principals Through an Americans with Disability Act Compliant Sensory Garden initiative (installation of a new sensory garden at the Educational Outreach Garden)

Sheril Miller signs in at a desk staffed by Stella Lappin and Cathy Sellers.

Venice Theater executive director Kristofer Geddie offers a presentation.

Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and Kenzie Shockey, 15, offer a presentation.

Mackenzie Walker of Manatee School for the Fine Arts offers a presentation.

Impact100 SRQ founding president Jane Watt and community investment review committee director Maria Mandler introduce a series of presenters.

Easterseals Southwest Florida president Tom Waters and vice president of philanthropy Jill Gass offer a presentation.

Cate Douglas, Bonnie Granatir and Impact100 SRQ board of directors members Judy Greenhill watch a presentation.

Katy McBrayer-Lynch, president of Sarasota Teen Court, tells the story of how the organization changed her life during a presentation she offered with the organization's CEO Heather Todd.

Impact100 SRQ president Pam Kandziora and focus areas director Ellen Foster address the crowd.

Pamela DeFouw, executive director of the Paul A. & Veronica H. Gross Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, gives a presentation.

Cindy Drill of Friends of Sarasota County Parks offers a presentation.

Berni Slowey, Nancy Lagnese and Erin Cartland

Cynthia Davis, Dana Delgado and Pati Knox talk.

Ann Martin, Birget Sroka and Carolyn Rovner

Charla and Laura Burchett and Kathleen O'Connor

Kay Stump, Nancy Rehkamp and Eva Treffert talk.

Tonya Tremitiere presents an award to girl scout Kenzie Shockey, 15, and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida board chair Richard Cyphers.

Fatherhood Program Facilitator Edwin Robinson, CEO Dr. Helene Lotman, Board Chair Kathie Roberts and Chief of Behavioral and Health Services Keith Leahey, of Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast, walk towards the stage after being announced as winners.

Nonprofit director Betsy Friedman presents a grant to Garfield Beezer, director of food and nutrition services at Easterseals Southwest Florida.

Posters for the different nonprofits line the seating area at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

This story was updated to note that Jewish Family & Children's Services of the Suncoast was among the grant recipients.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.