Weaving Your Legacy into Our Community

Philanthropy in our region has never been about limits. It’s about love for people, for place, and for the possibility of shaping a brighter future for all our neighbors. At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), that spirit lives at our core: we were founded on the principle of perpetuity, ensuring that every gift continues to strengthen our region for generations to come.

One of the most powerful ways to create lasting impact for the causes one cares about most is through designated endowed funds. These permanently restricted funds allow donors to provide annual support to specific organizations named by the donor — forever. Each year, Gulf Coast distributes a percentage of the fund’s investment growth to the organizations in the name of the donor. At the same time, the remaining principal continues to grow — ensuring lasting support for generations.

That growth is visible across our region. Last month, Gulf Coast distributed 388 grants totaling $3.7 million from 159 designated endowed funds – each one a reflection of the generosity and vision of the donor who established the fund. These grants range in size from under $100 to nearly $175,000, yet every dollar carries purpose. Together, they strengthen the nonprofits that make our community vibrant, creative, and compassionate.

Endowments aren’t just about numbers. They’re about lives changed and dreams realized. Among their many impacts, these funds help sustain essential services to our community – affordable housing for working families, expanding mental health resources across our region, and ensuring the care and protection of animals – all to help every member of our community thrive.

Every fund has its own story. Arne and Dorothy Iversen’s endowment supports 11 organizations, both local and national, ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbors continue to receive care and opportunity. The Evelyn E. Cerny Charitable Fund focuses on enriching arts and culture in Venice, providing ongoing support for the Venice Symphony and Friends of the Venice Public Library for generations to come. Through these funds, donors leave a lasting imprint on the causes they cherished – and on the community they loved.

What unites these donors – past and present – is a deep commitment to our community and the causes that strengthen it. Their legacies remind us that philanthropy is not only about giving; it’s about belonging. By creating an endowment at Gulf Coast, donors weave their values into the fabric of our community, ensuring that the causes they valued continue to thrive in the years and decades to come.

Gulf Coast has been carrying out the legacy of donors for decades, and we feel their presence in the good that unfolds daily as a result of their generosity. Their trust in Gulf Coast to steward their legacy is both humbling and motivating. It’s a promise we honor with care, diligence, and gratitude.

If you’re inspired to explore how your giving can last beyond your lifetime, our team is here to help you design a plan that reflects your passions and values. Together, we can make sure your generosity continues to make a difference — always.