FL 2030 Trailblazer Spotlight – Phillip Lanham, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Tell us a little bit about Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), we use proactive leadership and leverage innovative approaches to invest in scalable solutions that result in regional transformation. Headquartered in Venice, Fla. and with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Fla., Gulf Coast has transformed the region through bold and proactive philanthropy for over 25 years. Serving the needs of the region as a partner in philanthropy and leader in community initiatives, Gulf Coast has surpassed granting $510 million in the areas of: health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Gulf Coast was created in 1995 with proceeds from the sale of the Venice Hospital, a community hospital that had been founded by local citizens more than four decades earlier. Gulf Coast is a collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families, organizations, and corporations to support their favorite causes, in our region and around the world. As an endowed organization, Gulf Coast will be here in perpetuity to address emerging needs and ensure contributions create the lasting impact as intended by the donors. Gulf Coast’s core values of leadership, integrity, collaboration, and excellence are woven into our organization’s high-performing culture. Our team of 27 employees delivers exceptional service to our nonprofit and philanthropic partners. Gulf Coast was named one of the “Best Nonprofits To Work For” nationally by The NonProfit Times in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023. To learn more, visit GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook.
What made you join the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and what would you say to other Florida leaders about the benefit of this partnership?
After our talented President | CEO Mark Pritchett retired at the end of May, I was provided with an incredible opportunity to serve on the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees as Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s new president | CEO. As a new Floridian, the benefits of joining Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees are immense, especially knowing that by 2030 Florida will add five million more residents. I am honored to be a part of the Foundation, paving the way for our economic future with long-term strategic plans such as the Florida 2030 Blueprint.
What are Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s particular areas of interest as they apply to reaching the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals aimed at making Florida a top 10 global economy by 2030?
Gulf Coast’s particular areas of interest in reaching the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals include creating and sustaining Florida’s places and spaces, specifically when it relates to workforce housing and development. We envision continuing to create and sustain quality places for people to live, work, learn, play, and run a business.
Click here to learn about the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which is uniting Florida businesses for good around the Florida 2030 Blueprint.