The Patterson Foundation matches $250,000 in donations after goal reached in less than three months

SARASOTA, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2012) – In less than three months, the $250,000 match issued by The Patterson Foundation for the Diane McFarlin Season of Sharing Endowment Fund was reached through the generosity of donors in the region and beyond. With the success of the match, the endowment fund totals $500,000 for permanent funding of Season of Sharing, ensuring emergency funds for families on the verge of homelessness will always be available in the future.

In June, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation announced that The Patterson Foundation would match up to $250,000 in donations to the Diane McFarlin Season of Sharing Endowment Fund, honoring the philanthropic and community impact of former Herald-Tribune publisher Diane McFarlin.  

“Meeting our ambitious goal in less than three months signifies our community’s great support for Season of Sharing and illustrates how highly regarded Diane is in our region,” said Community Foundation of Sarasota County President and CEO Roxie Jerde. “The endowment fund will provide annual Season of Sharing funding and serve to generate additional contributions to help families in need each and every year in perpetuity.”

Under McFarlin’s leadership in 2000, the Herald-Tribune, along with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, established Season of Sharing to provide emergency assistance to families on the verge of homelessness in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties in Florida. Since its inception, Season of Sharing has grown to include a collaborative regional print and broadcast media partnership and philanthropic partnerships – distributing $6.5 million to local nonprofits serving those in need.

Shortly after announcing the new endowment fund and matching challenge from The Patterson Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County received three $50,000 gifts to begin the donation drive. In addition, many individuals made donations in varying amounts to honor McFarlin. The $250,000 goal was achieved in September after a generous $92,000 gift from an anonymous donor in Venice, Fla.

“Endowments undergird the financial needs of non-profit entities by providing safety net dollars that ensure the good work can continue,” said Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “By issuing the Diane McFarlin Season of Sharing matching endowment challenge, The Patterson Foundation inspired generosity to provide assistance to those on the verge of homelessness. The swiftness of achieving the full match demonstrates both the community's philanthropic spirit and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s ability to help donors fulfill their philanthropic dreams.” 

McFarlin left the Herald-Tribune in June 2012 and will become the dean of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications January 1, 2013. Contributions to the Diane McFarlin Season of Sharing Endowment Fund can still be made online at www.CFSarasota.org.  

About The Patterson Foundation
The Patterson Foundation believes that through communications, technology, and financial innovations, improvements may be achieved that transcend any single issue, entity, or geographic area. The Foundation provides resources to facilitate, expedite and share methods, techniques and tools, joining with others in creating new realities. For more information, please visit www.thepattersonfoundation.org. 

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The Community Foundation is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $200 million in more than 950 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling  $12.4 million dollars (FY 2011-2012), in the areas of arts, culture, and humanities, education, civic engagement, health, human services, animal welfare and the environment. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org. 

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