New community foundation makes Longboat its mission

Charity starts at home.

And now Longboat Key residents who want their charitable contributions to stay at home have a new way to make that happen.

Community leaders recently established the Longboat Key Foundation through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC).

The foundation exists “for the support and benefit of exclusively charitable purposes in and for the benefit of Longboat Key, Florida and its residents,” according to the fund agreement with CFSC, which will provide administrative support and philanthropic expertise.

Bob Simmons is chairman of the board of advisers, which also includes Bob Coyne, Cheryl Loeffler, Jeff Mayers, Jules Rose and Warren Simonds.

“It gives us a vehicle for any local donors to designate any donations they would like to make for Longboat Key,” Simmons said.

Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown, Vice Mayor David Brenner and Tom Aposporos, a member of the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force and former Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce president, provided the initial work, support and funding for the foundation.

“We were finding a variety of things that we thought would enhance Longboat Key but that were really not the types of things you would turn to the town government for,” Brenner said.

Aposporos told the Longboat Observer last year that he and others discussed the possibilities for positive development during the Longboat Key Club’s hearings for its proposed $400 million expansion project.

He and others discussed the possibilities for positive development if both sides put their money for attorney fees toward a community foundation.

Aposporos and Brenner began discussing possibilities last year with CFSC officials.

Aposporos served as acting managing director during the organization’s formation. Aposporos, Brown and Brenner are not members of the board of advisers.

Simmons, a retired health care executive and 11-year Key resident, said that although the group is still in its infancy, the board has identified two priorities: establishment of a medical center on the island and the creation of a community or cultural center.

“Now, we’re just looking to compile a list of people who would be interested in donating,” Simmons said. “We’re excited to have this vehicle on Longboat Key.”

Want to know more?
For more information about getting involved with or donating to the Longboat Key Foundation, contact Bob Simmons at [email protected]. To learn more about the Longboat Key Foundation and other Community Foundation of Sarasota endeavors, visit cfsarasota.org.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]