Debra Jacobs of The Patterson Foundation Speaks: Give While You Live, and Leave a Legacy

If you’re a part of the local nonprofit sector, you know that last year’s announcement of the newly formed $190 million Patterson Foundation has kept us on edge and curious to know more about the woman who made it possible.

Nearly 350 people filled Michael’s on East yesterday to hear Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of the new foundation, speak at AFP’s Giving Matters Luncheon. Mission-themed centerpieces contributed by attending nonprofits provided great fodder for the lunch-time conversation, aided by guest host Judi Gallagher’s lively and spirited remarks. But when Debra took the stage, things got quiet fast.

“We have the responsibility and opportunity to use our talents, treasures and time to make a difference today,” Debra said.

She asked us to be patient, assuring us that the grantmaking process is being carefully and painstakingly considered and will be announced in January 2010.

“We don’t want to do what others are already doing,” said Debra, who has been working since last summer with the daunting and exciting challenge of determining the direction for the large unrestricted gift left by Mrs. Patterson. There were no geographic or mission based requirements specified.

In working on what Debra described as the foundation’s two spheres, their business practices and their mission/focus, she and others are making sure their grantmaking impact extends far beyond the check.
An overarching theme in Debra’s remarks was this: the world we live in today looks, smells and feels the way it does all because of individual decisions.

After highlighting a few of the great women in philanthropy over the last 200 years, Debra emphasized that it’s not the size of the gift that matters, only that you make it—even in a time of economic uncertainty. “Once you know the joy of giving, you never stop giving, you just focus it.”

Debra urged each audience member to explore what speaks to her heart and soul in what they give.
For Dorothy Patterson—described as an independent, gracious and kind woman with impeccable morals—giving was just part of who she was.

Dorothy moved to Sarasota in 1979 with her husband Jim, whose family established wealth in the newspaper industry in Chicago and New York. The two often entertained their ten nieces and nephews at their home and took them on trips to New York City’s Carnegie Hall. The Pattersons traveled extensively and especially enjoyed Italy.

Dorothy was troubled with extreme rheumatoid arthritis and with Alzheimer’s in her later years and had 24 hour nursing care until the end so that she could maintain as much independence as possible. Two of her nurses retired after her death because they knew they would never have another patient as caring as Dorothy.

“We each have minutes, magic and money,” Debra said. The Patterson Foundation is learning from the best and brightest to create a legacy honoring the spirit of Dorothy and Jim.

At the conclusion of the program, we enjoyed table discussions about leaving a legacy and one of our favorite local philanthropists, Betty Schoenbaum encouraged us to give while we’re still here so that we can experience the joy of helping others.


Faith Pridmore and Dr. Susan Olsen founded the local Giving Matters chapter. To become a member, e-mail fmpridmore@comcast.net.

Rising to the Challenge

Welcome! And please join me in launching this new forum for SW Florida fundraising professionals – a place to exchange ideas, voice concerns, vent a little and praise a lot, I hope.

Could there be a better time to share what’s working, here and now? You know the challenges we’re facing…

• Grants are cut in half, or worse,
• Events and appeals are “sucking wind,” in the memorable phrase of one development chairman I know,
• Boards are worried,
• Donors are scared,
• Needs are greater than ever.

How to respond? Consultant James Gelatt, writing earlier this year in Contributions Magazine, has a message that resonates with all of us: this is the time for us to focus LESS on TACTICS to survive today and MORE on STRATEGIES to succeed in the future.* We can’t just cut programs and staff, lower expectations and hunker down, hoping to get through this. We need to keep our donors excited about the incredibly important work we are doing, take a few risks, build new business models, and get ready to come out of the gate strong as the economy turns around.

What does that mean to you? Here’s what I’ve noticed about our most successful colleagues:
• They are fundraising not because it’s a job, but because they truly believe they are making their world a better place.
• They are ready to retire “same-old, same-old” practices and get creative.
• They are focusing like a laser beam on bang for the buck: maximizing the return of their organization’s investment in fundraising.
• They know how to help their top managers lead and their boards raise money.
• They don’t solicit donors. Donors love to give. They help donors give.
• They are the most optimistic people I’ve ever met.
Does that describe you? If not, you might be a lot happier in another line of work. On the other hand, doesn’t that describe our friend and colleague Susan Terry perfectly? Rest in peace.


Laura Breeze, CFRE
Advancement Director
Education Foundation of Sarasota County

Welcome to AFP, Southwest Florida's Online Conversation!

The monthly meetings of AFP, Southwest Florida chapter are full of networking, conversation and informative education for committed development professionals, and we need more talking time!
Your chapter has launched a new blog to raise interesting questions, talk about the fundraising conundrums that keep you up at night, get advice from our local fundraising sages and get to know our members.

So here’s the deal: we're asking you to actively participate, providing us with feedback about the people you'd like to know and ideas you’d like to talk more about. We’ll supply the content with a forum for your comments. We're looking for guest writers to share their expertise about all aspects of raising money, so be sure to let us know if you want to contribute or if you have a recommendation for a guest blogger.

E-mail us at afpswflblog@gmail.com anytime with your suggestions…and stay tuned for great conversations from the professionals in your AFP, Southwest Florida chapter!