Celebrating 30 Years!
The Community Foundation for Brevard celebrated its 30th anniversary with a reception in Suntree on Monday, November 7, 2011. Speakers reflected and honored those who helped develop the Foundation throughout the years and previewed initiatives of the future. Attending were current and past Board Members, Fund Partners, grant recipients and other community leaders. Kurt Weiss, current Board Chairman of the Community Foundation, led the opening remarks, “You inspire us most – the individuals who have combined a heart for the community, offered innovative solutions, and shared a personal, forward-looking investment in the community.”
Sandi Scannelli, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, provided historical highlights, including serving as a fiscal agent for the following organizations during their formation: Brevard Zoo, The Haven, Space Coast Early Intervention Center, Candlelighters of Brevard, Lead Brevard’s Leadership Brevard program, and the Henegar Center for the Performing Arts building renovation.
Guests previewed a new video of Joan Borders, a founding board member for Rolling Readers Space Coast, who recently created a designated fund to help support Rolling Readers through the Community Foundation. (see video below)
The Foundation gave a special thanks to James ‘Ivy’ Iverson, of YourSimple Media, who was generous in the creation of the video that helped to capture Joan’s story.
Gina Rall, Board VP, cited that under the current economic environment there are threats to the quality of life in Brevard County. She then announced the Foundation’s commitment to support two threatened areas – arts and recreation. By decision of the Board of Directors, $30,000 – representing 30 years – of unrestricted dollars has been repurposed to seed these two new endowment areas; “The Community Foundation feels a responsibility to anticipate community needs and not wait for a crisis in Brevard’s quality of life; to be proactive in preserving and enhancing Brevard’s quality of life.”
Gina described the Endowment for the Arts. “Nearly 1/3 of the grant applications received last year were for programs representing community arts and culture. Without sufficient grant funds to adequately fund this area of concern, the Board felt the ‘pull’ to fund the programs that address the hardships that families and social service organizations face. When the Foundation and the Urban Institute launched ConnectBrevard.org and, along with it, created a statistical profile of nonprofits in Brevard, the concern for the arts was underscored. It was the only area that experienced net loss in 2009. The Foundation Board feels we must be more proactive in supporting and preserving community arts to ensure that community arts – visual and performing – continue to be vibrant throughout Brevard – particularly as economic development and workforce services work to recruit and expand companies with new jobs.
The Community Foundation has supported the Arts since its first year in operation and now makes permanent its support through an endowment dedicated exclusively to supporting the Arts.”
Wendy Brandon, a long time Brevard supporter of the Arts, shared her remarks about the need to preserve the arts in Brevard County. Wendy remarked that, “children who participate in the arts do better in school and on their SAT’s and arts education strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills.” She said, “Let me remind you all that it was creativity that brought us the iPhone, gave us the music of the Beatles and most importantly to our community – took us to the moon! And I truly believe that it is creativity that will eventually take us out of this financial malaise we find ourselves in.”
See Wendy Brandon’s Full Remarks
Gina announced the second endowment, establishing support for recreational facilities and upgrades throughout Brevard. “As the shrinking tax base is challenging governments to focus on core services, the Foundation Board feels this is the perfect time for philanthropy to step up and become a partner in preserving quality recreation facilities in Brevard County. Recreational facilities are vital in economic development, in tourism, raising families with safe and attractive facilities to encourage and support active, healthy lifestyles; to reduce the risk of obesity; and engage the community through participation in sports. The Board’s vision is that with an endowment – once grown – the Foundation can be a partner with the County to address the capital infrastructure needs in providing fields and courts, paths, and playgrounds and equipment. Acknowledging that this small amount might only buy the net on a goal past or one base on a ball field; the hope is that with the help of the community; our goal, is more goals.”
Gina added, “Many exceptional organizations have played a large role with investment in shaping and preserving the quality of life in Brevard – including our Corporations such as Harris and Boeing, and nonprofits such as United Way and more than 60 private foundations. Thanks to our donors, we have shared this space of community investment for 30 years…and we can do more; we will do more. More in making sure our County-wide quality of life portfolio is balanced and continues to be forward-looking and inspirational for all residents. No area of community development and engagement should become endangered. And we are making our commitment to the arts and to recreation.”
Following Gina, Sandi announced a new partnership in conjunction with Second Harvest Food Bank. When attending the United Way Hunger Summit, the Foundation learned of Second Harvest’s desire to map the gaps in food distribution (or food deserts) as a way to better match distribution with need. In a new partnership, Second Harvest, the Urban Institute, NCCS and the Foundation will be mapping the food gaps in Brevard County using the platform of ConnectBrevard.org. Connect Brevard’s current features already provide most of the mapping needs. The project is expected to be completed by late March of 2012.
“Importantly, through this we are developing the platform of Connect Brevard to be used for a host of other needs assessments, with detailed maps that chart existing services and overlay any community indicator such as unemployment, poverty, education, housing, etc. This deeper use for Connect Brevard will again chart new ground and serve as a model throughout the state and nationally,” Sandi stated.
Kurt Weiss, Chair, closed the event with his appreciation, “To all who have supported the Foundation throughout its first 30 years – with wisdom and leadership that have developed this fine County. The Foundation looks forward to a lifetime of supporting Brevard County’s needs – in philanthropic leadership, in community engagement, and in service.”
