Our nation's national cemeteries are the final resting places for men and women who served our country with unmatched valor. Patriot Plaza, a 2,800-seat ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery (SNC) in Florida, features commissioned art that honors veterans, inspires patriotism, and embraces freedom. 

Beginning in 2022, The Patterson Foundation began creating new opportunities for our community to connect with Patriot Plaza's stories of service and sacrifice by contributing pieces of its commissioned artwork to community partners working to strengthen our veterans and military families. Each piece of art once stood within the "Testimonies" exhibit at Patriot Plaza prior to replacement during the amphitheater's regular upkeep. Featuring a photographic image encased in glass and a Georgia white marble tablet inscribed with an engraved drawing and text, the art reflects the personal voices of those who have served, supported, and sacrificed across generations of military history.  

On February 19th, 2025,  Echoes of Valor: A Patriot Plaza luncheon celebrated the installment of seven Testimonies tablets across the following seven selected community agencies: 

• Tidewell Hospice Sarasota (Video)-Tablets Support 
• Goodwill Manasota - (Video) - Tablet Integrity 
• University of South Florida (Video)- Tablet Sacrifice 
• Sarasota Military Academy (Video) - Tablet Courage 
• Ringling College of Art and Design - Tablet Resilience 
• Community Foundation of Sarasota - Tablet Morale
• Tidewell Foundation–Tablet Legacy 

To explore the significance of these meaningful gifts, Kiarra Louis invites Victoria Finley, Patriot Plaza's initiative lead, to join her for a Beyond The Blog conversation. 

• Key Quotes:
  • "The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is an important partner in what we're doing with the posterity and the perpetuity of Patriot Plaza. The Community Foundation stewards the endowment for the capital maintenance of the plaza."
  • "The testimonies within Patriot Plaza bring history to life, making the sacrifices and service of veterans tangible for future generations."
  • "And it is art in itself that points to and underlines the purpose behind Patriot Plaza, which in three short phrases is to honor veterans, inspire patriotism, and embrace freedom."
• Timestamps 
  • 1:05 - About Patriot Plaza
  • 2:27 - Patriot Plaza is for Everyone
  • 4:02 - About Testimonies 
  • 6:20 - Rehoming Seven Tablets 
  • 8:21 - Recognizing the  Six Tablet Organization Recipients 
  • 8:43 - Community Foundation of Sarasota County - Tablet Morale
  • 9:08 - Goodwill Manasota - (Video) - Tablet Integrity  
  • 9:33 -

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Digital technology affords people an evolving assortment of avenues to connect with one another and the world around us, creating pathways to the resources and relationships we depend on to maintain our well-being and lay the bedrock for a more inclusive society. However, those without access to digital connections or devices fall behind in connecting with vital services and participating in the modern world. 

In this Beyond The Blog podcast, Kiarra Louis, The Patterson Foundation’s Initiative Support Coordinator, explores The Gap, a TPF endeavor aimed at addressing the ever-widening digital divide. This initiative focuses on bridging the gap between individuals and families with access to the three essential elements of digital inclusion (connectivity, devices, and skills support) and those without. Joining her for this conversation is Sandra Vega-Picchietti, a consultant with The Patterson Foundation, who often compares The Gap to hope. Hope for connection, hope for resources, and hope for the future. Tune in to find out why! 

• Timestamps 
  • 00:58  - The Gap is Hope 
  • 2:54  - Stories of Those We Help 
  • 7:52 - How it All Works
    • 8:44: Purpose of the Intake Forms 
  • 14:10 - Collaborating with The Sarasota Technology Users Group (STUG)
  • 18:12 - Takeaways from The Gap
  • 29:30 - Demonstrating TPF Approaches: Evolving, Strengthening, and Caring

Links to Learn More

• Digital Access for All
• Digital Navigator Program
• The Gap

Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

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Connecting Communities, a Beyond The Blog podcast, brings you insights and inspiration from the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and beyond. It explores how communities can come together to support the success of our children and families—and to empower the parents, caregivers, educators, and organizations who care so deeply about them. Episode 1 features an overview of SCGLR with the Director of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Beth Duda.

Key Podcast Themes

• “None of us can do it all, but all of us can do something.”- Beth Duda
• Learning happens everywhere.
• Explores how communities can unite to support the success of children and families.

Timestamps 

• 01:11 – Beth’s history
• 03:54 - Beth explains The Suncoast Campaign for Grade Level Reading (as if speaking to a child).
• 05:53 – Why is this work important?
• 10:08 – How does SCGLR help achieve these goals – the 5 Pillars.
• 10:52 – School Readiness
• 12:01 – Attendance
• 13:20 – Summer Learning
• 15:04 – Family Engagement
• 15:39 – Health Determinants
• 16:06 – Suncoast Remake Learning Days
• 20:01 – Which TPF value speaks most to Beth?
• 20:42 – THIS BOOK IS COOL!
• 21:39 – Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge
• 22:04 – Kindergarten Readiness
• 22:58 – Pop-Up Neighbor Through Laundry
• 23:47 – ESOL & ELL 
• 26:59 – Big Picture/ Small Steps
• 33:32 – How can you get involved?
• 34:15 – Connecting with Kids – a kid’s thought on the topic.

Links to Learn More

• The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
• Remake Learning Days 
• The Grable Foundation
• The Patterson Foundation

Connect Beyond The Blog

• Join Beth on Twitter: @duda_beth
• Join Beth on Facebook: Beth Duda
• Email Bath @: [email protected]
• Follow SCGLR on X: @SuncoastCGLR
• Follow SCGLR on Instagram: @suncoastcampaign

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Maritza Coscarelli with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation joins Kiarra Louis to dive into The Patterson Foundation's DeSoto County Ahead initiative, specifically The Harwood Institute's Catalytic Guide Program in DeSoto County. 

The Patterson Foundation (TPF) has worked with The Harwood Institute since 2012. Earlier this year, TPF partnered with The Harwood Institute to bring additional resources to the DeSoto community, empowering it to navigate issues with new perspectives and build stronger, more effective collaborations. 

Part of the partnership focused on The Harwood Institute's Catalytic Guide Program -- a 12-week intensive program for community members who desire to guide their community to create lasting change. Catalytic Guides are local community leaders trained in the Harwood approach and positioned in the community to help people adopt a mindset and a practice that enables them to step forward, take action, and unleash the potential of their community.

Key Themes

• Shared Aspirations
• Putting People First
• Walking alongside a community 

Key Quotes

• The Institute's philosophy is one of putting people first." 
• "The Institute and I believe that the solutions you're seeking are within you and your community, and it's just a matter of shedding light on that, beginning  with what you aspire to." 

Timestamps 

• 1:14  - About The Harwood Institute  
• 5:30  - Helping people and communities  
• 7:17  - Focusing on Aspirations 
• 15:30  - Walking alongside a community
• 16:22  - Types of leaders 
• 19:28  - Public Innovators Lab in 2025 
• 21:20  - What's your contribution? 

Links to Learn More 

• DeSoto County Ahead
• The Harwood Institue 
• Maritza Coscarelli
• The Harwood Catalytic Guide program 

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In this Beyond The Blog podcast by The Patterson Foundation, Kiarra Louis dives into the excitement surrounding Exponent Philanthropy’s 2024 Annual Conference and the launch of the Momentum Builder’s Circle. Joining her is Paul D. Daugherty, CEO of Exponent Philanthropy, who shares insights on how lean philanthropy is transforming communities and empowering funders to lead impactful change.

In our conversation,  we’ll explore "lean philanthropy" — what it means and why it’s uniquely suited to community-based impact. Paul will also discuss Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP), a model that enables lean foundations to forge transformative change by focusing on local priorities, breaking barriers, and building deep community partnerships. From there, we shift to two exciting initiatives: the 2024 Annual Conference and the Momentum Builder’s Circle.  

Key Themes
Creating a supportive community for lean funders
Defining and exploring lean philanthropy 
Building deep community partnership

Timestamps 
00:43 -- About Exponent Philanthropy
2:08 -- Supporting Lean Funders 
4:41 -- Working with The Patterson Foundation
8:10 -- 2024 Annual Conference
16:50 -- The Momentum Builder’s Circle.
21:10 -- Aspirations 
24:03 -- Supporting Philanthropy Serving Organizations (PSOs)
25:00 -- Leadership, willingness, readiness, capacity, and culture 


Links to Learn More

• Exponent Philanthropy  
• About Paul Daughtery 
• Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy
• 2024 conference
• The Patterson Foundation

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Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, joins Kiarra Louis to explore the importance of strategic communications at The Foundation, especially in strengthening the efforts of individuals, organizations, and communities. 

• Key Themes
  • Building Trust and Relationships
  • Simplifying The Message 
  • Asking Who Else Cares?
• Timestamps 
  • 3:15- Using different platforms 
  • 3:44 - High tech high touch 
  • 5:47 - Setting the culture, pace, and behaviors of an organization.
  • 8:36 - MagnifyGood, TPF’s strategic partner 
  • 11:14 - The role of TPFers 
  • 16:16 - Three-legged stool of communications 

Links to Learn More

• I 501(c) You - The Podcast for NonProfit Board Members
• Episode 24: Maximizing Impact through Strategic Communication with Debra Jacobs

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In this Beyond The Blog podcast, Kiarra Louis converses with Luke Bencie, Managing Director for Security Management International, LLC. Luke is the keynote speaker for day one of The Patterson Foundation’s Digital Access for All Symposium, Suncoast Connect: Innovating and Thriving in the Digital Age, on Tuesday, October 15.

During the podcast, Luke gives insights on the importance of digital access globally while giving us an insider’s scoop into what to expect during his keynote presentation, which will help attendees understand human motivations and methods of persuasion, as well as how spies are trained to think differently. Attendees will leave the evening eager to put their new skills to work in the Digital Age!

Key Themes
- The importance of tech globally
- Think like a Spy at Suncoast Connect’s Keynote presentation
- Protecting yourself and your devices

Timestamps
- 1:18 - Getting into the field
- 6:17 - Importance of Digital Access around the world
- 10:23 - An inside scoop on the Keynote for Suncoast Connect
- 13:56- Tech, Travel, and Tourism
- 16: 40 - An Opportunity to get Luke’s book, Among Enemies, signed

Links to Learn More
Join Luke at Suncoast Connect
Suncoast Connect
Security Management LLC

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“From Both Sides of the Check” is a podcast mini-series as part of The Patterson Foundation’s Beyond the Blog podcast. In this week’s episode, we interview Jessica Muroff, CEO at United Way Suncoast. Through “From Both Sides of the Check,” we explore what it’s like to work in the philanthropic sector through conversations with people, now working at foundations, who have worked on both the funder and nonprofit sides. The goal of the podcast series is that these conversations are instructive for people on both sides of the check and helpful in illuminating a path forward for even stronger collaboration in the philanthropic sector, so we can drive even more impact.

Key Podcast Themes

• Philanthropic collaboration
• Funder-nonprofit relationships
• Power dynamics
• Trust-based philanthropy
• Fundraising
• “Hiring empathy”

Timestamps

• 00:00 - 00:40 Introduction
• 00:40 - 06:20 Jessica’s Role and Defining Success in her Role
• 06:20 - 08:31 Favorite Part about her Role
• 08:31 - 11:25 Least Favorite Part about her Role
• 11:25 - 14:35 Previous Roles
• 14:35 - 17:47 Transition from Nonprofit to United Way
• 17:47 - 21:11 What Jessica Wishes Nonprofits knew about Funders
• 21:11 - 22:24 What Jessica Wishes she knew about Funders when she was at a Nonprofit
• 22:24 - 24:17 Dream Partnership
• 24:17 - 28:12 The Unique Position of a United Way
• 28:12 - 31:16 Changes in United Way Strategy
• 31:16 - End Closing

Soundbite recommendation: United Way Suncoast is a convener, not an intermediary 24:57-25:54

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“From Both Sides of the Check” is a podcast mini-series as part of The Patterson Foundation’s Beyond the Blog podcast. In this week’s episode, we interview Kameron Hodgens, Director of Community Leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Through “From Both Sides of the Check,” we explore what it’s like to work in the philanthropic sector through conversations with people now working at foundations who have worked on both the funder and nonprofit sides. The goal of the podcast series is that these conversations are instructive for people on both sides of the check and helpful in illuminating a path forward for even stronger collaboration in the philanthropic sector so we can drive even more impact.

Key Podcast Themes

• Philanthropic collaboration
• Funder-nonprofit relationships
• Power dynamics
• Trust-based philanthropy
• Fundraising
• “Hiring empathy”

Timestamps - Kameron Hodgens

• 00:00 - 00:54 Introduction
• 00:54 - 02:14 Kameron’s Role and Defining Success in her Role
• 02:14 - 08:08 Kameron’s Background and Nonprofit Experiences
• 08:08 - 11:49 How Kameron’s Nonprofit Experience Informs her Funder Experience
• 11:49 - 12:37 How to Build Trust with Nonprofits
• 12:37 - 17:42 What Kameron Wishes she Knew about Funders when she was at a Nonprofit
• 17:42 - 20:06 Favorite Part about her Role
• 20:06 - 21:24 Last Favorite Part about her Role
• 21:24 - 25:47 Time Management at a Foundation
• 25:47 - 27:34 Lessons on Collaboration from Disaster Recovery
• 27:34 - 32:25 Dream Partnership
• 32:25 - End Closing

Soundbite recommendation: Using data to drive a dream partnership between nonprofits and funders 27:52-29:41

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"From Both Sides of the Check" is a podcast mini-series as part of The Patterson Foundation's Beyond The Blog podcast. In this week's episode, we interview Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. Through “From Both Sides of the Check,” we explore what it’s like to work in the philanthropic sector through conversations with people now working at foundations who have worked on both the funder and nonprofit sides. The goal of the podcast series is that these conversations are instructive for people on both sides of the check and helpful in illuminating a path forward for even stronger collaboration in the philanthropic sector so we can drive even more impact.

Key Podcast Themes

• Philanthropic collaboration
• Funder-nonprofit relationships
• Power dynamics
• Trust-based philanthropy
• Fundraising
• “Hiring empathy”

Timestamps - Debra Jacobs

• 00:00 - 00:31 Introduction
• 00:31 - 02:38 Debra’s Role and Defining Success in her Role
• 02:38 - 05:16 Debra’s Previous Roles
• 05:16 - 10:55 Nonprofit Experience Informing Foundation Perspective
• 10:55 - 12:13 Favorite Part about her Role
• 12:13 - 13:17 Least Favorite Part about her Role
• 13:17 - 14:40 Focusing on Excellence and Shared Aspirations to Bridge Differences
• 14:40 - 18:00 What Debra Wishes she Knew about Funders when she was at a Nonprofit
• 18:00 - 20:12 What Debra Wishes Funders Knew about Nonprofits
• 20:12 - 24:24 How to Build Trust and Break through the Power Dynamic
• 24:24 - 26:41 What more Nonprofits should Know about Funders
• 26:41 - 31:00 Dream Partnership
• 31:00 - 32:11 Privilege to Serve, Take it Seriously, Joyful Stewardship
• 32:11 - End Closing

Soundbite recommendation: Seeking alignment through fundraising and 3 questions to always ask prospective funders 14:58-16:38

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