LWR Community Foundation's builders program continues to grow

The law firm of Williams Parker sponsored a breakfast meeting of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation at Forked in Waterside Place June 27 to allow foundation executives to talk with members of the Builders Give Back program.

They had to make room for one more seat at the table.

Lennar Homes is the new builder on the block, giving consideration to joining 10 other builders in the program, which began in May 2023 with seven original members. Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes joined in March to bring the total to nine and M/I Homes joined in May to bring the total to 10. The LWRCF is hoping Lennar makes it 11.

The builders in the program currently are Anchor Builders, Homes by Towne, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, M/I Homes, Neal Communities, Neal Signature Homes, Nelson Homes (A/R Homes), Pulte Homes, and Stock Luxury Homes.

Builders make a $100 donation to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation per closing in the name of the buyer(s). Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch matches those donations up to $10,000 per year.

Thus the program helps the foundation through the funds and engagement with homeowners, who receive an introduction in local philanthropy by the LWRCF. New residents are sent an information packet.

Through the first quarter of 2024, the LWRCF has communicated with 360 new homeowners and has collected donations of $58,200. The LWRCF has granted $24,500 to six organizations in the first quarter of 2024. Organizations receiving funds are Breaking Chains Foundation, Easter Seals Southwest Florida, Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Forty Carrots of Sarasota, Healthy Teens, and Sisters Sowing Seeds.

Michelle Tucker, a division manager for Lennar who handles the North Port, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch areas, had been working the Fort Myers area until being transferred to this region recently, and she didn't have any knowledge of the LWRCF until being updated on the program by SMR.

"We are not officially in the program yet, but we are working on the approvals," Tucker said. "The (LWRCF) helps some great causes and we help a lot of charities through our Lennar Foundation. But in the past, we've been involved with the charities directly. This is different, and it's difficult for us because there are so many needs. But I like that the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation can identify the needs for us."

Tucker said it will take some time for company executives to get all the appropriate information and to decide if the program makes sense for Lennar.

"No matter what happens (in terms of joining the Builders Give Back program), we are going to be involved in some way with the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation," she said. "I like that it gives back directly to the people involved with the community."

Mark Clark, the board president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, gave builders in the program, along with Tucker, updates on the program at the Williams Parker office in Waterside Place before breakfast.

He also told him that the new program needs them.

"Builders Give Back in a significant cornerstone of what we are continuing to do on the Ranch," he said. "This is so important to us ... for what we are doing."