The Bay in Sarasota receives $1 million 'capping' gift

Having catalyzed $50 million in private funding toward The Bay park, Patterson Foundation is providing a capping gift of $1 million in unrestricted funding to the 53-acre signature public park along Sarasota Bay. The gift completes the Foundation’s cumulative investment into The Bay at $10 million from individual gifts and donation match opportunities.

“The Patterson Foundation’s support of The Bay was born from our shared mission to strengthen people and communities by creating opportunities to enhance quality of life and connection for all,” said Debra Jacobs, Patterson Foundation president and CEO in a news release. “BPC has been an excellent steward of our community’s aspiration for The Bay, evolving into a thriving, dedicated team committed to creating this world-class park on our precious bay front land.”

The Patterson Foundation has contributed to the efforts to build The Bay park since 2016 through unrestricted catalytic funding, thought partnership, technical assistance and challenge match opportunities to incentivize donations from private philanthropy at key milestones during The Bay's creation. Most recently, The Bay achieved a $4 million challenge match from the Foundation by raising $20 million from private donors.

“From the initial planning process through the ribbon cutting and realization of the first phase of park, The Patterson Foundation has been an invaluable partner every step of the way,” said Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley in the news release. “TPF has demonstrated a deep commitment to The Bay through technical guidance as well as flexible, unrestricted funding. We are grateful for this capping gift and TPF’s many years of support.”

Beyond the new green space, free programs and events, The Bay actively conserves, restores, improves and transforms the surrounding natural environment, annually treating more than 70 million gallons of polluted stormwater before it enters Sarasota Bay. Once complete, the park will treat an estimated 300 million gallons annually.