Collaboratory

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 17-23. It highlights a growing crisis in Southwest Florida: ??72% of Floridians report struggling to feed their families, with many cutting back on essential items like proteins and fresh produce due to rising food costs ??Florida ranks third nationally in homelessness, with nearly 31,000 people unhoused in 2023. Alarmingly, senior citizens are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness, with housing and healthcare costs pushing many into instability This crisis is closer than you think—it affects families, children, and seniors: our neighbors. Together, we can make a difference! Let’s create a Southwest Florida where everyone has a place to call home and enough to eat. Contribute to the Southwest Florida Home Coalition and Southwest Florida Health & Wellness Coalition in their efforts to dissolve housing and food insecurity in Southwest Florida: https://bit.ly/4hOoNmS. #HungerAndHomelessnessWeek #SWFLImpact #CommunitySupport

The recent Lightbulb Series event, "Leading Through Innovation," brought together a room filled with inspiration, insight, and a powerful call to lead with empathy, purpose, and boldness. Our guest speakers—Glenn Llopis, Dr. Robert "Navy Bob" Roncska, and Khali Sweeney—each shared transformative stories that challenged us to reimagine leadership as a force for meaningful, community-driven change. We’re honored to host conversations that ignite change and empower leaders across Southwest Florida! We also encourage you to save the date for the next Lightbulb Series event on January 21. #Collaboratory #Leadership #Innovation #CommunityChange #SWFLImpact

We’re excited to welcome Bill Blevins to Collaboratory’s Governing Team as a Trustee! As President & CEO of Gulf Coast Business Bank with over 37 years in the banking industry, Bill brings valuable expertise to our mission. His commitment to the community runs deep, having supported organizations like the March of Dimes, United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, and The Salvation Army. Join us in welcoming Bill as we continue working toward meaningful change in Southwest Florida together! #CollaboratoryTeam #CommunityImpact #Welcome

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Clay Motley as a new Trustee on Collaboratory’s Governing Team! As Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University and a seasoned leader in higher education, Dr. Motley brings a deep commitment to fostering community and culture. His scholarship on Southern music and culture and his leadership experience will be invaluable in advancing our mission for Southwest Florida. We’re thrilled to have him on board! #CollaboratoryTeam #CommunityLeadership #WelcomeDrMotley #SWFLChange

It was an honor to host representatives from nine rural communities across the United States at Collaboratory for the Building Rural Community Systems convening. This important gathering included FutureMakers Coalition partners working in Hendry and Glades counties, who were specifically selected to be involved in this group working to revitalize rural communities. CivicLab leads the Building Rural Community Systems: Education to Employment Partnerships initiative, which is supported by Ascendium Education Group and the ECMC Foundation. We are proud to work alongside additional partners such as SCAILE and the Talent Hub network team of experts to create meaningful, lasting change. Thank you to Florida SouthWestern State College, Hendry County Economic Development Council, Florida Gulf Coast University, Hendry County Schools, Hendry County Adult Education, and Glades County Economic Development Council, Inc.! #CommunityCollaboration #FutureMakersCoalition #BuildingRuralCommunities #SWFLImpact #futuremakersswfl #swfl #talentliveshere

Happy National Philanthropy Day! Today, we celebrate the power of giving and thank our incredible supporters and partners. Your generosity is what makes our work possible, and we are grateful for your commitment to creating a better Southwest Florida. Visit?https://bit.ly/3zQpxH3?to learn more about our mission. #NationalPhilanthropyDay?#Gratitude?#SWFLImpact?#Collaboratory

The Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon was a powerful celebration of women supporting positive change in Southwest Florida! Over 100 women gathered to strengthen their collective impact and raise our endowed fund to $1 million, which will generate $40,000 annually to address root causes affecting vulnerable populations in our community. We'd like to thank Wendy Steele, founder of Impact100, for an inspiring keynote and heartfelt congratulations to Gail McClure and Gail Markham, recipients of the WLF Philanthropy Impact Award, for their outstanding dedication and leadership in philanthropy. We’re proud to stand with this collective force of women leaders making a difference. Learn more about joining the Women's Legacy Fund: collaboratory.org/wlf. #WomensLegacyFund #Philanthropy #SWFLImpact #Collaboratory

Join us on Monday, November 18, at Collaboratory for an intimate and impactful discussion featuring Glenn Llopis, Dr. Robert "Navy Bob" Roncska, and Khali Sweeny. During this discussion, moderated by Collaboratory President & CEO Dawn Belamarich, learn how visionary leaders turn challenges into opportunities, lead purposefully, and create meaningful change. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the event will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Seats are limited, so RSVP today by emailing [email protected]. #Leadership #CommunityImpact #CollaboratoryLightbulbSeries

Our space is more than just a building—it’s where nonprofits, leaders, and changemakers come together to create solutions for Southwest Florida’s most pressing challenges. Since the start of our fiscal year on July 1, 2024, we’re proud to have hosted 461 impactful meetings, provided over $183,400 in in-kind support, and welcomed approximately 5,880 guests. Every conversation, partnership, and gathering strengthens our community’s resilience and drives meaningful change. Join us for a tour to see firsthand how we’re fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and building a stronger future for Southwest Florida. We’d love to show you around! Learn more about Collaboratory at collaboratory.org. #Collaboratory?#SWFLImpact?#CommunityInnovation?#CollaborationInAction?#StrongerTogether

Did you know that 40% of the 7.6 million people at risk of eviction each year are children? This National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month, the Southwest Florida Home Coalition is highlighting a pressing issue—too many young people in our community face the challenges of homelessness. Without stable housing, children experience disruptions in education, health, and future opportunities. That’s why we’re taking action through two key initiatives: our Eviction Prevention Project and Housing Choice Voucher Acceptance Project, which are designed to expand housing options for those in need. Join us in making a difference for Southwest Florida’s youth. Together, we can ensure every young person in our region has a safe, stable place to call home. #SWFL #SWFLHome #EvictionPrevention #HomelessYouthAwareness