On October 26, Music Compound's Album Ensemble performed Nirvana's iconic MTV Unplugged in New York, featuring both members and instructors from the local music school. This event included a fundraising effort for Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR), culminating in a $1,000 donation to the veteran-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide innovative, holistic treatments for mental health to veterans and their family members.

MTV Unplugged in New York, released on November 1, 1994, was Nirvana's first live album, recorded shortly before the death of lead vocalist Kurt Cobain. The performance, featuring songs like Come As You Are and All Apologies, aired on MTV in December 1993 and is celebrated for its raw acoustic quality. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and received an 8x platinum certification by the RIAA in 2020, along with winning the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance in 1996. Previous concerts by the Album Ensemble have included works by Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and The Beatles, raising a total of $3,642 for various nonprofits, including NAMI and Meals on Wheels.

Thanks to generous grants, donations and fundraising efforts like this, all services at OWR are provided at no cost to veterans and their families. Wendy Price, a brain-based healing practitioner and equine-assisted therapist with the organization says “We serve not just veterans, but also their spouses and children–even adult children–ensuring that all services remain free.”  The interaction between veterans and horses at OWR, she explains, often fosters a powerful healing connection for those suffering from PTSD.

Music Compound president Jenny Townsend emphasized the program's focus on collaboration and intergenerational engagement, stating that the showcases not only highlight great music but also support meaningful causes. Instructors Taylor Galford and Iain Harris spearheaded this initiative.

For more about Operation Warrior Resolution, visit operationwarriorresolution.org, and to learn about Music Compound’s programs, visit musiccompound.com. 

Pictured: On October 26, Music Compound's Album Ensemble presented two concerts featuring Nirvana's legendary MTV Unplugged in New York album. Photo courtesy of Music Compound.

Embracing Our Differences is pleased to announce the return of “Embracing Kindness,” its collaborative exhibition with Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design. Now in its second consecutive year, this year’s exhibition runs through December 18 on the Museum’s great lawn, parallel to the Tamiami Trail. It features 14 enlarged images of original artwork created by students under the mentorship of renowned Sarasota artist and educator Jeffery Cornwell. Spanning more than two decades, these selected works celebrate the transformative power of kindness and respect, as expressed by young artists from Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts program, as well as NewGate School, who participated in Cornwell’s visionary art programs. Admission to the “Embracing Kindness” exhibition is free during Museum hours and can be accessed through the Museum's lobby, leading to the great lawn. 

Pictured: Let's Play Together by Fiona Greenleaf. Photo courtesy of EOD.

The Exchange (formerly the Woman’s Exchange) announced that it is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 grants and scholarship program. Last year, the organization awarded more than $400,000 to 25 regionally based arts and cultural organizations and 11 scholarships to high school and college students pursuing a higher education in the arts. Additionally, seven organizations were recipients of the recent Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education grant, which encourages art organizations and educators to collaborate in designing and developing creatively innovative projects for K-12 students. To be considered, all applications must be received by no later than 4 p.m. on January 31, 2025. For guidelines and application information, visit The Exchange’s website at www.sarasotawex.com. 

After back-to-back hurricanes devastated the region – displacing families and leaving many in need of emergency assistance – All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) is facing growing demand, coupled with a steep decline in donations. Additionally, amid the cancellation of a major fundraising event, the organization is urgently seeking donations to help with the purchase of turkey dinners and holiday meals as part of its annual ThankFULL Tummies and Hearts campaign. In addition to nearly 700 monthly food distributions throughout the year, All Faiths Food Bank has worked to provide food for people in need during the holiday season since 1989. This year, the organization set a goal of sharing more than 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million holiday meals, but the recent hurricanes have put those numbers at risk. Due to the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, the primary fundraiser supporting the ThankFULL campaign, “Friends FULL of Giving” – originally set to take place Nov. 15 – has been canceled, leaving the organization down nearly $150,000 in special funding for holiday turkeys and sides. Without those monetary gifts, neighbors who have already lost so much may now be faced with empty plates this holiday season. As one of the lead disaster response organizations in the region, AFFB has increased its number of food distributions since Hurricane Debby hit in August – hosting seven additional disaster relief pop-ups and delivering emergency food and water to local evacuation shelters. Following Hurricane Milton, during the month of October alone, AFFB provided nearly 90,000 emergency meals to more than 1,700 new households at those pop-up sites. Hurricane damage to AFFB’s longtime community partner, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, has also forced the nonprofit to relocate one of its biggest turkey distributions to Booker Middle School. Turkey distributions for Sarasota residents will be held at the following locations and times: Booker Middle School (2250 Myrtle St., Sarasota) on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.; and Ed Smith Stadium (2700 12th St., Sarasota) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. All distributions are first-come, first-served and while supplies last. Through Thanksgiving, additional turkey distributions will take place at several of AFFB’s mobile pantry sites as well as through numerous partner agency locations – including closed sites, such as school pantries and youth-serving nonprofits. Proof of Sarasota or DeSoto County residency is required. For more information about turkey distributions, visit the “Food Finder” page at allfaithsfoodbank.org. The funds for the turkey distributions and holiday meals are raised through generous individual, foundation and corporate gifts to the ThankFULL campaign, and through the support of the Kathleen K. Catlin Foundation of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which has supported the effort generously for 10 years. To donate to the ThankFULL Tummies and Hearts campaign or find food near you, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre has received a $15,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support the development of a five-year strategic plan for the theatre. Last season marked a new chapter in the artistry and operation of Asolo Rep as Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein and Managing Director Ross Egan joined the Asolo Rep team after 70 combined years of leadership under Linda DiGabriele and Michael Edwards. “As we consider the challenges and opportunities Asolo Rep faces in a post-pandemic world, balancing best practices with innovative approaches has never been more urgent,” said Egan. “To address this, Asolo Rep is taking a pragmatic, lean, and aspirational approach to the strategic planning process by contracting with consultants Michael Kaiser and Tanya Surtees from the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland for training, consultation, and implementation support.” Michael Kaiser is Chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland. The Institute provides advanced training to arts administrators and board members and consulting support to arts, academic, and governmental institutions. Since its inception, the Institute has advised thousands of individuals, organizations, governments, and foundations throughout the United States and over 80 countries on six continents. The Institute’s programs include capacity-building programs which have served more than 1,000 organizations in cities across the globe and fellowships for both American and international arts leaders. Tanya is a South African-born arts manager with over 20 years in the cultural industries. As a Senior Consultant at the Institute, she oversees a portfolio of unique clients for whom she serves as a cultural programmer, strategist, and operations specialist, working one-on-one with leadership and staff to advance key areas of their business. The two consultants will support several key strategic planning elements for Asolo Rep, including aligning the theatre’s mission with its future aspirations, optimizing its programming mix, enhancing visibility, expanding its donor base, and improving the theatre’s organizational structure and community engagement. The Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will support Asolo Rep’s strategic planning process, positioning Asolo Rep for sustainable growth and enhanced community impact in future years. 

Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Mischa Kirby, vice president of strategy and communications, will be among the experts presenting at this year’s Philanthropy Southeast Annual Meeting, “Leading Lights: Connection, Community & Courage,” in Nashville, Tenn.Kirby will join other leaders in philanthropy to present “Emergent Strategies for Adapting Strategic Plans,” a panel discussion that offers guidance on how funders can remain true to long-term priorities while managing change. The presentation explores how the Community Foundation’s Strategic Framework both guided and shifted the foundation’s priorities over a three-year timeframe beginning in Summer 2022, which was immediately met with the unexpected, thanks to Hurricane Ian. Kirby will share lessons learned from an operational lens, and how changes in priorities were communicated with key internal and external stakeholders. The foundation’s Strategic Framework drives the work of the foundation in four key areas: engagement, leadership, impact, and organizational excellence. Sharing the stage with Kirby will be Daniela Demaria, board chair at Latino Community Fund Georgia in Decatur, Ga., and Jennifer Oldham, vice president of communications and partnerships at The Healing Trust in Nashville, Tenn. The panel is moderated by Elain Summerfield, vice president of community investment at The Winston-Salem Foundation. Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, will also be presenting at a private CEO Forum Preconference session about managing the ongoing operations and leadership transition preceding her retirement at 14 years at the helm on June 30, 2025. The CEO Forum provides a space for executive leaders to connect with one another in an environment that encourages open, candid conversation. This will be the 55th Annual Meeting for Philanthropy Southeast, a philanthropic network for leaders, ideas and resources focused on the American South and U.S. Caribbean territories. The membership association aims to influence public policy with an eye on equity and build strong leadership among charitable organizations in the region. 

The 5th Annual Chase Away Epilepsy Walk was started by the Signor family in 2019. The annual walk, named for their son Chase, now 15, helps to pull back the curtain on epilepsy. It was a quiet autumn day, just right to show support and strength and 140 supporters walked. People of all ages, their children and even their dogs were Purple Warriors. They were donning purple shirts and bags, the color of epilepsy awareness. The walk benefits JoshProvides, an epilepsy assistance organization. "JoshProvides shines a light on epilepsy during National Epilepsy Awareness Month, or NEAM, to educate the public and diminish the myths and misconceptions of this neurological disorder that will impact 1 in 26 people," said A.K. Bilan, CEO. Epilepsy is an invisible disability, which disrupts brain cells, causing seizures. It is considered invisible because people may not be able to tell you are having a seizure, not all persons have convulsions. Some might look as if someone is staring into space, and the next second have no memory of the loss of consciousness they had. Epilepsy still carries a stigma, as the definition means the falling sickness in Latin. And because of the media. and the entertainment industry dramatizes seizures, epilepsy awareness is a necessity. The organization helps to eradicate the negative connotation associated with epilepsy. The walk raised $20,000 in donations, through attendees and sponsors. This will provide a better quality of life for all who come to them for help and hope for those who never let epilepsy define them. For more information contact: JoshProvides.org 

Pictured: Paige and Heather-Purple Warriors. Photo by Cynthia Fabian.

State Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, secured re-election in a heated state House race in the region. Meanwhile, several Republicans won election to the House for the first time in safe GOP seats.

“My biggest takeaway is people want to see a positive campaign and candidates talking about the future and what they will do, not what their opponent cannot do,” said McFarland, who took more than 56% of the vote over Democrat Derek Reich.

Reich raised more for his campaign than all but a handful of Democrats in the state challenging incumbents. “Tonight, the people I love and serve have spoken,” he said. “While I am deeply disappointed by the results, I respect our community’s decision.”

McFarland’s win means only Republicans will represent Sarasota or Manatee County in the Florida Legislature next year. In addition to Reps. James Buchanan, R-Venice, and Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, winning re-election, Republicans Michael Owen and Bill Conerly won seats covering parts of Manatee County and Republican Danny Nix secured a seat in south Sarasota County.

Another major win? Mike Moran, an outgoing Sarasota County Commissioner, unseated long-time Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates. Moran, a Republican, won just over 51% of the vote against the only Democrat holding countywide office.

In the city of Sarasota, incumbent City Commissioners Kyle Battie and Liz Alpert both won re-election to seats in Districts 1 and 2, but Kathy Kelley Ohlrich unseated City Commissioner Erik Arroyo in District 3.

In a Sarasota County-wide vote, more than 84% of voters supported renewing a school property tax. That renews a tax first authorized in 2002.

"This resounding victory is a testament to a community that appreciates the importance of a school system that prioritizes our incredible teachers and student achievement,” said Max Goodman, a political consultant who worked on the effort. “It was a great night for Sarasota County."

U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, cruised to re-election. 

Four Republican candidates won seats on the Sarasota Hospital Board while Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown. Republicans running for Manatee County Commission cruised to General Election wins, but all had won big GOP Primary wins in August against a sitting conservative majority. Charlie Kennedy won his old seat on the Manatee County School Board. 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation is pleased to announce the promotion of Patrick McQuillan to Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy. In his new role, McQuillan will be responsible for strategic planning, program development and philanthropic initiatives related to principal and major gifts. Patrick has an extensive background in non-profit fundraising. Prior to joining the Healthcare Foundation, he was the director of development for NCH Healthcare System’s foundation, Naples, Fla. He has also served as the director of development and special initiatives at The Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. Before entering the non-profit sector, he worked on numerous political fundraising campaigns at state and federal levels. Patrick earned his Master of Science degree in Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla., and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. He is an active member with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Association of Healthcare Professionals (AHP), and has volunteered with a number of different organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society and All Faiths Food Bank. 

 In response to the devastation suffered by our region after an unprecedented hurricane season, Tervis has launched a new tumbler, "Florida Strong." Tervis will donate $5 per tumbler sold to All Faiths Food Bank, the area’s only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, and one of the lead disaster response agencies in Sarasota County and the state. The tumblers are now on sale at this link: https://www.tervis.com/florida-strong-united-we-24oz-tumbler-1474590.html 

As the holidays approach, most of us are looking forward to gift exchanges and delicious meals shared with friends and loved ones. But for too many of our neighbors – especially with the devastation suffered during the recent hurricanes – financial challenges mean that they could be facing empty plates. Since its founding in 1989, All Faiths Food Bank has provided thousands of Thanksgiving turkeys during the holidays, steadily expanding its efforts through the ThankFULL Tummies campaign. This year, the organization’s goal is to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides, and 3.6 million holiday meals. But we simply can’t do it without you. With a donation to All Faiths Food Bank’s ThankFULL campaign, you make it possible for our neighbors to enjoy a festive holiday celebration – complete with a healthy, delicious meal. Let’s come together to show we ALL have a reason to be “ThankFULL” this holiday season. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333 to learn more. 

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