TPF Impact Reflections and Looking Ahead

In 2019, The Patterson Foundation planned a year of celebration to share ten years of impact in 2020 through Honoring & Onward. Little could we know how necessary TPF's flexible, innovative, and responsive method of operations would become. In light of the global pandemic with no clear end in sight, TPF initiatives have continued to evolve into greater creative avenues for increased impact.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented community responses. The Giving Challenge 2020 raised a record-breaking $19.1 million with The Patterson Foundation's dollar-for-dollar match on any unique donation of $25-$100. The foundation contributed an incredible $7,498,640. Season of Sharing continues to offer critical last-resort funding to individuals, with TPF supporting the campaign's resurrection as part of COVID-19 response efforts.

Aspirations to Actions continues to evolve to match the needs of the community. The Patterson Foundation learned through new work in community book circles and virtual community conversations that there is a critical role in facilitating the creation of space for productive discussions across communities -- another sparkling example of the value beyond the check.

Aspirations Journalism has reached new heights through its utilization as a critical part of the Census 2020 Education Project and new initiative Digital Access for All. Census 2020 Education Project has activated TPF's community relationships and built new connective tissue to raise awareness around the importance of Census 2020. Through our partnership with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and other community advocates, we estimate that we have reached more than 80,000 community members across four counties, with at least two counties on track to exceed 2010 self-response rates.

COVID-19 exposed great inequities in our communities around digital access. From online learning to the social isolation of older adults, it seems that everyone is struggling to understand what is necessary to stay safe, connected, and productive in uncertain times. Out of this struggle, The Patterson Foundation decided to undertake Digital Access for All. While still "airy," Digital Access for All will explore the efforts of multiple sectors working to enhance access to technology that connects people in ways that foster inclusion and well-being.

Ever-adaptable Patriot Plaza saw wonderful engagement throughout 2019 and into 2020 with a packed house at the Presidents Day event. When field trips were abandoned as part of learning-from-home plans, the Patriot Plaza team immediately began devising ways to create meaningful, interactive virtual tours and EdExploreSRQ lessons. The work, in partnership with former TPF initiative The Collaboratory at Ringling College, is ongoing, but there is no doubt that the impact of Patriot Plaza will only be magnified through these new engagement methods.

Margin & Mission Ignition continues to work with more than two dozen nonprofits on embedding earned income. Additionally, the MMI team played a major part in the Future of Philanthropy experiential class during spring 2020, connecting Lilly Family School of Philanthropy students with current and former MMI organizations to put theory into action. Beginning in summer 2020, MMI shifted focus to Advancing Mission Thrivability in response to the stress nonprofits are feeling due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first iteration of "labinars" and "webversations" have been high value-high engagement events with more than 50 area organizations attending.

While the best-laid plans for an on-site experiential class for ten Lilly Family School of Philanthropy students were thwarted, TPFers pivoted to a fantastic virtual experience in less than a week, laying fertile groundwork for additional distance learning opportunities in the new era of online learning. The Advancing Philanthropic Leadership initiative continues to deepen as connective tissue with IU strengthens. In the spring of 2020, TPF welcomed its second class of Fellows, cementing the beginning of a true network of leaders dedicated to transforming the sector.

Center for Disaster Philanthropy and NetHope both underwent leadership transitions in early 2020. The Patterson Foundation continues to engage with both organizations while seeing how things evolve. However, there has never been a more important time to be engaged in disaster response work.

As The Bay works through gaining Phase 1 site plan approval with the city, The Patterson Foundation anticipates that the next match will be triggered after approval is official. Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition continues to be a pride point regarding return on investment with significant impact throughout the region. TPF's only investment is initiative shepherd Deborah Gauvreau's time, affirming that resources and expertise beyond the gift provide value.

Suncoast Campaign for Grade-level Reading continues to earn national, regional, and local recognition for excellence in engagement and impact. With the great uncertainty caused by COVID-19 in early learning, SCGLR has met challenges with relentless focus and creativity. Innovative programs like THIS BOOK IS COOL! and live virtual family engagement events have presented more than 4,000 children and parents the opportunity to stay connected and learning even in the most difficult circumstances.

While many organizations will view this time as a great "pause" in productivity, The Patterson Foundation has never been more focused on strengthening individuals, organizations, and its community. With the support of the Governing Board, TPF will continue to demonstrate what's possible when we approach philanthropy through the lens of caring, connecting, collaborating, contributing, and creating.