- December 4, 2025
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Darci Jacob, owner of boutique Darci, reminisces about the first time she experienced the atmosphere that members of Sisterhood For Good (SFG), a group of women dedicated to accomplishing philanthropic goals, created. She attended a fashion show fundraiser in 2019, and saw how the women cheered and screamed to hype up the models who were all members.
“They were so supportive of everybody that walked,” Jacob said. “I've run different boutiques my entire life. They supported women like I've never seen before, and I'm like, ‘I want to be part of this.’ ”
Jacob has been part of the organization ever since and sponsors their designer bag bingo fundraiser every year. She received the “High Five Award” for her “continued dedication and devotion to our sisterhood” at the Sisterhood For Good Donor Appreciation and Chair Awards event on Sept. 18 to celebrate the beginning of their 15th year.
Sisterhood For Good was founded in 2011 by Angela Massaro-Fain, who works as president and CEO of SFG. Since its inception, 213 grants totaling $622,427 have assisted 57,790 people in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
She shared that this year the organization awarded $150,150 to 30 local nonprofits.
“All year long, everyone's a volunteer,” Massaro-Fain said. “Nobody gets paid, not a dime.”
Massaro-Fain emphasized that it is not only the board or grant committee that votes to determine where the money is spent. Every member has a say.
Allison Imre, a sponsor through her business Grapevine Communications and member of Sisterhood For Good, has been involved for 10 years. She said she appreciates the democratic way the organization is run.
“It's a group of women who wanted to get together and make an impact, and it really is just that pure — it's neat, it's smart, it makes sense, and it's beautiful,” Imre said.
Imre recalled seeing the sort of impact the grants they give make when she saw how the money that went to Easterseals Southwest Florida, a nonprofit that provides services to people with special needs, was used.
“It was materials, toys and technology, so they were using it in a whole bunch of different ways,” Imre said. “It could be anything from a tricycle to an iPad.”
Nikki Pelier-Simon, member and sponsor through her business Scout & Molly’s, has been in the organization for two years. This year, she is a co-chair for special events.
“I love making people feel wonderful,” Pelier-Simon said. “I want them to feel needed, wanted and loved. Sometimes we forget to love people, and this is a way to show people that we love them.”
Maria MacDonald is a member of SFG and past advisory board chair. She invites any Sarasota or Manatee County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for grants during their season, which runs from the first week of January to the last week of April. They award grants up to $7,500 per organization.
“I want to thank all of you donors as well and all of our sisters that not only work hard but give time, treasure and talent,” said Kathy Collums, a founding member and Advisory Board chair. “Those are the three things we really rely on.”
