The full economic impact of COVID-19 remains unknown. Schools in Florida will still be closes and classes taught remote through April. But The Giving Challenge will go on as scheduled. Indeed, organizers say the annual philanthropic event may be more important than ever.

“We are so pleased this virtual opportunity to raise unrestricted funds for our Giving Partner nonprofits,” said Roxie Jerse, President and CEO for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Mischa Kirby, vice president of strategic communication for the Foundation, said the nature of dollars raised could be critical right now. Being unrestricted, as opposed to many endowments created through wills or efforts led by philanthropists with specific desires in mind, the 700-plus participating charities can spend money raised in The Giving Challenge however executives there choose.

“It gives the flexibility to be able to take those funds and respond to community needs, especially since those needs are evolving and changing,” Kirby said.

Nearly a month out from the event, set to start at noon on April 28 and continues to noon April 29, organizations have already started organizing and building marketing campaigns around the event. The Florida Center for Early Childhood has already promised to fund mental health counseling and developmental therapy to aid the wake of a pandemic. SarasSolo has started promoting the challenge through its YouTube channel.

The Urbanite Theatre, meanwhile, made note how cancellations of mass gatherings has confronted the venue with $50,000 in ticketing revenue losses “with little clarity on when we’ll be able to start operations again.” Notably, the nonprofit raised $55,000 in the 2018 Giving Challenge, so this event coule literally make up the hardship felt directly from the public health crisis. “The 2020 Giving Challenge could be the single most important reason we're able to stay afloat,” reads a mailer from The Urbanites. 

Promotional image from The Urbanite production of

Cadets at Sarasota Military Academy, a local, public charter school, recently won the “National Coral to Action Challenge’, hosted by the Coral Restoration Foundation. Students across the nation submitted short, educational videos; the top finalists were chosen by a panel of expert judges, and the winning team was selected by votes submitted on social media. The winning video, submitted by Sarasota Military Academy juniors Timothy Baldwin, Kelly Fletes, Haley Coady and Dominique Storr, can be viewed by visiting https://www.coralrestoration.org/coral-to-action or the Coral Restoration Foundation Facebook page.

“We had over 240 students submit nearly 100 entries from all over the country, and every single one was a joy to watch,” said Derek Hagen, Coral Restoration Foundation Education Program Manager. “The film that Timothy, Kelly, Haley, and Dominique created really stood out for its powerful simplicity that cuts right to the heart of the issue – there really is a horror story happening in the ocean! But knowing that there are so many incredibly smart, talented, passionate, and creative young people out there gives us hope for the future!” 

“When my classes discuss the current status of the health of the oceans and coral reefs, it is easy for students to feel like the problems are too big. The “Coral to Action Challenge” provides the opportunity for students to become active in protecting and raising awareness for the coral reefs,” said SMA-CPT Jeanette Marks, Sarasota Military Academy Marine Science Educator. “This was such an excellent opportunity for students across the nation to highlight the need for action, while creating something unique and helpful. I'm so proud of my students for creating such an incredible video that will inspire more people to take action in protecting coral reefs.” Shortly after the cadets completed the video and entered the contest, the 300-gallon classroom aquarium of SMA-CPT Jeanette Marks, Sarasota Military Academy Marine Science Educator, burst, flooding the classroom, on February 21, 2020. SMA-CPT Marks, a certified Florida Master Naturalist and Florida Water Steward, and the SMA cadets were able to save the fish and hermit crabs, but were unable to repair the tank. Through this opportunity, the Academy will be able to replace the tank with a brand new, state-of-the-art aquarium, at no additional costs.

The panel of judges that selected the top three finalist videos included The Ocean Agency's Richard Vevers from the Netflix show, “Chasing Coral”, and Angie Lassman from NBC 6. The finalists include Sarasota Military Academy, Collegiate Academy of Colorado and Mandalay Elementary School. According to information provided by the Coral Restoration Foundation’s social media account, the winning team will receive a state-of-the-art educational aquarium for their school, sponsored by Titan Aquatic Exhibits. The winning video will be hosted on the Coral Restoration Foundation™ website and shared on social media accounts and NBC 6 will air the winning film on their network and digital platforms.  

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff released a subadult loggerhead sea turtle, nicknamed Chipi, back into the Gulf of Mexico off Casey Key. Chipi stranded in October 2019 in Charlotte County. A citizen reported a lethargic sea turtle from Boca Grande Pass. As is customary, Mote staff offered him the chance to name the turtle, and he chose "Chipi" after his dog. Chipi showed lethargy and neurologic issues likely due to red tide exposure. Read Chipi's full case report here. Though Mote Aquarium and other public-facing operations are temporarily closed to protect public health amid COVID-19, Mote's mission of marine science, education and animal rescue continues. Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and many other programs continue working around the clock to help our oceans. With the loss of revenue from Mote Aquarium, support from the community means now more than ever. Thanks to the generosity of the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, individual donations up to $500 will be matched by calling Andria Piekarz, Mote Director of Development, at 941.388.4441 ext. 352. 

Read Chippi's full case report.

Bill McGrath might not have imagined that grants from his legacy fund would be awarded when a public health crisis canceled performances and closed museums during season. But today, his generous gift is helping two local nonprofit organizations at an important time. Bill established the William P. McGrath Fund at Manatee Community Foundation to support The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and Sarasota Orchestra, two of his favorite organizations in retirement. The first two grant awards from the fund were distributed this week, each $114,000, providing flexible support for programs and operations.

Brynne Anne Besio, CEO of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, fondly remembers Bill's passion for knowledge. "Bill was naturally curious and enjoyed learning, and was devoted to helping others enjoy it also. He was always smiling and we all appreciated his sense of humor." "We are truly honored to have had Bill McGrath’s support over the years and to have it now. It’s quite fitting that this funding would come through now, at such a challenging time. Bill continues to 'be there' for us all." Bill grew up in Plant City, Florida. He spent 35 years teaching in Florida and for the Department of Defense in overseas high school classrooms. "He was a loyal patron of the Orchestra at Neel Performing Arts Center and an occasional chamber concert attendee at Holley Hall. There is no greater legacy than a music lover like Bill, so generously supporting countless others so their lives and spirits can be enriched and lifted through music. A most generous act indeed," said Joe McKenna, president and CEO of Sarasota Orchestra. 

The changes taking place in our community are happening rapidly and can feel overwhelming, leaving many wondering how we can help. As the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, we exist first and foremost to serve our community as a trusted partner especially in times of critical need.

In moments like this, philanthropy can truly shine. More than ever, each one us can be the one to ensure our community remains healthy and resilient.

As an initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are relying on the time-tested and trusted Season of Sharing partnership to help the most vulnerable individuals and families with immediate basic needs such as payments for utilities, childcare, and rent. Our longtime partner, The Patterson Foundation, has committed up to $1 million to strengthen this important safety net, including an immediate $500,000 contribution along with an additional dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000.

To support local nonprofit and community organizations engaging in short-term response and longer-term recovery, we also have several grant opportunities available, including Community Impact and Healthcare Grants. Additionally, the 2020 Giving Challenge remains scheduled for April 28-29, as the unrestricted funds raised during the challenge will provide nonprofit partners flexibility to respond to community needs, especially as those needs change.

We appreciate your support and generosity, now and always. Together, we can make a difference. 

Learn More Here

Asolo Rep announced that it will begin online streaming of a live performance of Into The Breeches! The production, written by George Brant and directed by Laura Kepley, was canceled one week before its scheduled closing date of March 21 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). "We Can Do It!" said Rosie the Riveter, and so say the women in this bright new comedy, set right here in Sarasota. It's 1942, all the men are at war and the future of the local playhouse is in jeopardy. But with a belief in the power of art to heal the world, the wives rally together to make sure that the show does go on. “Into The Breeches! is a perfect piece­ of theatre to speak to our current, unprecedented moment," said Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “Full of joy and the tenacity of the human spirit, it reminds us that with our shared strength and commitment to each other, we can overcome any crisis. We always have.” Online viewing will be available beginning at 10 am today, Tuesday, March 31 and expire at 11:59 PM on Monday, April 14. Asolo Rep will be emailing its patrons with invitations to link to the performance. The performance links will also be available on Asolo Rep’s Facebook (facebook.com/asolorep) and Instagram (instagram.com/AsoloRep) pages. Tickets start at $15 per person viewing. Patrons who held tickets to canceled performances to Into the Breeches! performances and have donated their tickets back to the theatre are invited to view the video online at no charge. Those patrons will be sent an email with a coupon code to view the video free. During this challenging time, donor support is crucial. Proceeds from the ticket sales will help to ensure Asolo Rep’s future by offsetting some of the negative financial impact incurred from having to cancel nearly a third of its season, 109 performances, totaling $1.65 million dollars in lost ticket revenue. Patrons wishing to donate should visit asolorep.org for more information. 

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty announced that it has been ranked No. 28 on the annual REAL Trends 500 survey of the top U.S. residential brokerage companies, based on 2019’s sales performance. The company moved up 4 spots, from No. 32 in 2019. With $5.2 billion in sales volume, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty achieved more than 7,129 closed transactions in 2019 at an average sale price of $725,116. "We want to thank our customers for their endless support, and will continue to provide uncompromised service experience despite the current challenges we face together,” said Budge Huskey, chief executive officer of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “It is an honor to rank this high on a list that includes the most respected national real estate firms in the country. The incredible momentum of 2019 that ushered in 2020 will carry our organization through this present climate to even greater heights beyond this time.” The REAL Trends 500 is an annual research report that identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential firms as ranked by closed transaction sides and closed sales volume. The report represents the standard of measuring the performance of the nation’s leading realty service companies.  This year's survey represents the most comprehensive collection of data assembled on the leaders of the residential brokerage industry. Numbers are documented by outside accounting firms and/or MLS reports.  

Personally I feel the Governor is doing a great job. From what I'm told, everyone is going to be exposed to the virus sooner or later. The only reason to quarantine is to delay the time of exposure so that hospitals can get the supplies they need and the drug companies can produce more drugs and possibly a vaccine and/or cure. 

They also need time to develop more tests. Sarasota Memorial's ER has been very slow because nobody is out getting themselves hurt.  There are only 76 cases in Sarasota, a county of 350,000. Our hospital is ready for more of us to get sick when the time comes. 

The biggest concern I have is for our elderly.  The Governor hasn't issued a stay at home order nor has he issued a "you must go out" order.  If someone is "high risk" they should stay in.  Those of us who aren't high risk should be allowed out. The biggest point here is that we're going to get exposed sooner or later, this virus has to work its course through the population.  

Jesse Biter is a Sarasota developer and entrepreneur. 

Sez who? I’ll make you a bet that if you stand outside Publix and survey people entering as to whether they favor a mandatory or voluntary stay at home order voluntary is the overwhelming favorite.

No doubt we are in for a more difficult time down the road, due in no small measure to those escaping the heavily impacted areas of the Northeast, but a mandatory lockdown would guarantee the economy, business and personal, would suffer to the point many small businesses would never recover.

Running for the cliff is not the  way to escape the wolf.

Bob Waechter is a Sarasota political leader. 

Ringling College Library Association today announced newly rescheduled November 2020 dates for Town Hall lectures by Lisa Genova and Annie Leibovitz.  Original dates for the two remaining lectures were suspended by the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center due to Coronavirus public gathering precautions. Subscriber tickets for both lectures will be honored for both Town Hall events.  “We are pleased to extend our Town Hall series by offering dates this November,” said Stephanie Grosskreutz, RCLA executive director.  “These two newly announced dates will complete our 40th Anniversary season in unprecedented fashion.” 

Now scheduled for Monday, November 9, renowned neuroscientist, Lisa Genova, will focus on neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, Huntington's disease, and ALS.   Genova graduated valedictorian from Bates College with a degree in biopsychology and holds a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University.  She is the New York Times bestselling author of “Still Alice,” “Left Neglected,” “Love Anthony,” and several other books.  Through fiction, she is dedicated to describing the journeys of those affected by neurological diseases, thereby educating, demystifying, and inspiring support for care and scientific research.

On Monday, November 23, renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz will give a talk on her long career in journalism and the arts. A former chief photographer for Rolling Stone, her pictures have appeared regularly on magazine covers since the 1970s.  As an astute documentarian of the social landscape, she developed a large body of work at Vanity Fair, and later at Vogue, including portraits of actors, directors, writers, musicians, athletes, and political and business figures, as well as fashion photographs.

The Lisa Genova and Annie Leibovitz lectures will be presented at Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Morning lectures begin at 10:30 a.m. and evening talks begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Subscribers unable to attend are encouraged to donate their tickets to Ringling College Library Association.  Since launching the annual lecture series in 1981, RCLA has made more than $11 million in gifts and commitments for student scholarships and the support of the Alfred R. Goldstein Library, which opened in 2017 at the Ringling College of Art and Design. Call 941-309-5100 to become an RCLA member and subscribe to the Town Hall Lecture Series.  

Learn more.

The annual report filing deadline for Florida business entities has been suspended until June 30, 2020  per Department of State Emergency Order 2020-01.  This includes any corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability limited partnership entities required to file an annual report with the Florida Division of Corporations.  For more information, please visit the Division of Corporations website. 

Much anticipated guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act were released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) late yesterday. SBA provides that lenders may begin processing applications as soon as April 3. Important details, as outlined on the SBA website, include: This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. If you wish to begin preparing your application, you can download a sample form to see the information that will be requested from you. 

Download a sample form.

Join The Florida Center for Early Childhood and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Wednesday, April 1 at 4 pm for a webinar designed to help parents and children, 7 years old and older, talk about the Coronavirus and COVID-19. Beth Duda, Director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading will ask Melissa Bradley, director of school-based mental health therapy at the Florida Center for Early Childhood, questions from children. This twenty-minute webinar will help children and parents navigate the challenging new realities we are all facing in a way that is honest, accurate and minimizes anxiety or fear. 

Click to register.

The Visible Men Academy has been working to help get free hot meals to families, and assessing their needs daily to provide assistance in the current crisis. The teaching staff is planning for distance learning programs, and in an effort to further support families, distribute tablets and laptops to families as well as help them secure internet access at home. The VMA also announced the annual SHINE On! fundraiser that was scheduled for April 17, will now become SHINE Online! The ongoing campaign has raised approximately 25-30 percent of the VMA operating budget in each of the last four years. The event helps fund areas of great need and properly serve students and families 

For more.

At the National Small Business Town Hall, held March 27 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Inc., several experts spoke about important aspects of the CARES Act and answered questions from concerned small business owners. Full the full video HERE. For step-by-step guidance on filing for a small business or self-employed emergency loan, access the U.S. Chambers New Small Business Loan Guide & Checklist HERE.   

Watch the video.

Co-owners Tony Marchuk and Olivier Corizzi of Avenue Media, a Sarasota-based digital marketing agency, recently launched TakeoutSRQ. Marchuk and Corizzi designed the new initiative to help support local restaurants during the governed restrictions placed on in-dining service, mandated in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

TakeoutSRQ’s free-of-charge platform encourages consumers to support their favorite spots by directly contacting eateries for local delivery rather than using a third-party company, eliminating additional fees for those ordering and allowing the restaurant to receive more profit. 

“Nationwide, we’re going through a really difficult time,” says Marchuk. “What is happening to our local economy is absolutely heartbreaking. We wanted to create a way to give back to our community and support our local home-grown restaurants by spreading the word about what’s available for takeout and delivery services.”

The online resource provides an up-to-date listing of places in Sarasota, Bradenton Venice, North Port and Lakewood Ranch currently offering takeout and delivery in the community. Main Street's MADE, C'est La Vie, Avli Mess Hall, O&A Coffee and Green Zebra Cafe are among the 50 eateries in their system already, as well as Siesta Key's My Village Pub and Big Water Fish Market, and Gulf Gate's Gecko's Grill & Pub and Mellow Mushroom. TakeoutSRQ is actively adding more to its database every day who need a little helping hand during these trying times in the hospitality industry. 

Prospective customers are able to narrow down the listing by desired cuisine. A selection of choices will appear, along with information on the restaurant’s menu, operating hours and telephone number to place an order. 

For more.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association, announced that it is giving a special payment to employees who are providing essential banking services to customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Fifth Third will provide its customer service and other employees who work on site a special payment of up to $1000, which will be paid in $500 installments in April and May. “Many of our banking center, operations and call center employees are coming to work while facing challenges related to childcare, transportation or general concern for their family’s well-being,” said Greg D. Carmichael, chairman, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp. “Our employees are making a real difference for our customers as we navigate this pandemic. We need to do the same for our employees and want to recognize how appreciative we are of their extraordinary service.” Fifth Third has added enhanced cleaning measures to its offices to help safeguard employees and customers who visit banking centers. It also is continuing to adhere to guidelines from health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control around social distancing and sanitation. The company also has created additional benefits to help employees through this situation. Fifth Third has moved many of its employees to work from home, but many in essential roles such as customer service representatives, bankers, call-center employees and others need to work on site to meet the needs of customers. On Saturday, March 21, Fifth Third began temporary modifications to onsite banking services to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Banking center lobbies will remain open to serve customers by appointment only and will not be open for general access. Bankers will remain available and ready to help by phone. Customers who would like to meet with a banker in person can schedule an appointment on 53.com, the Bank’s mobile app or by calling their local banking center. Each banking center will also prominently display signage with assistance on how to schedule an appointment. Bank Mart® locations will remain open, but hours will change to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. “Our banking centers are the face of our company for many customers,” Carmichael said. “That’s why we are committed to continuing to serve our customers at banking centers as best we can. While we have to temporarily adapt our banking experience to keep our customers and employees safe, we are working to ensure it remains as easy and convenient as possible to do business with us. We appreciate our customers’ understanding during these challenging times.” Fifth Third recommends that customers continue to leverage all of the digital banking tools and resources for self-service banking and account access through mobile, online and voice banking services, as well as the Bank’s network of approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States.