Collaboratory

Please join us in welcoming Vennitta Campbell as Collaboratory’s new Controller! With over 25 years of diverse experience, including roles in finance, healthcare, and nonprofits, Vennitta’s expertise will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission to drive meaningful change across Southwest Florida. Her leadership and dedication to community impact make her a perfect addition to our team. We look forward to the positive strides we’ll make together! #CollaboratoryTeam #CommunityImpact #WelcomeVennitta #SWFLLeadership #SWFL

Join us for an insightful workshop on Using Grant Proposals to Build Your Organization’s Capacity with Madeleine Kahn, PhD, on December 11 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Collaboratory. Designed for nonprofit professionals involved in program development, proposal writing, and capacity building, this session will explore strategic approaches to funding opportunities and how to view each proposal as a component of a broader capacity-building plan. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kahn brings expertise in thoughtful program and organizational development, serving as a trusted strategist, process leader, and storyteller. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your organization’s impact! Register now: https://bit.ly/3Oi2oRg. #NonprofitGrowth #CapacityBuilding #SWFLWorkshops

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