"If not for..."

Those three simple words are a metric we use often at Gulf Coast to prioritize our funding decisions and gauge the impact of our leadership.
 
If not for a seed grant that no one else is likely to make, would a promising pilot project ever have the chance to be tested, proven, and scaled up? If not for convening the right partners, would a collaboration ever coalesce that’s capable of taking on an especially persistent regional issue? If not for a gift of technical expertise, would two nonprofits find the time, space, and guidance to explore and complete a strategic merger that's a win-win for them and a bigger win for our community?

This month, Sarasota County and the City of North Port celebrated a momentous groundbreaking. The North Port Connector to the Legacy Trail will add nearly four miles of paved recreational trail and connect the county’s most populous city to this world-class amenity.

North Port leaders invited Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast’s lead on the Legacy Trail extension project, to help them ceremonially turn dirt at the event. Afterward, one community leader told Jon: “I had to have you in the picture with us, as I feel you—probably more than anyone else—made this project happen!” If not for...
 
Jon has championed expanding the Legacy Trail since long before his time with Gulf Coast. He probably won’t stop until it’s fully connected with trails in other counties to our north, south, and east! In the meantime, the Legacy Trail Extension project within Sarasota County is rolling on at full speed, and we couldn't be happier for our community.

We congratulate the governments and nonprofit partners that have put this project on a fast track to completion, the donors and other funders who quietly and consistently invest in it, and all of those working behind the scenes in relentless pursuit of what's possible when we enhance our region's unique places!