Grantmakers in the News
December 1, 2002
Name: William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation
Year Founded: 1955
Contact Person: Debra M. Jacobs, President and CEO
Address: 1800 Second Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-957-0442 Fax: 941-957-3135
E-mail: djacobs@selbyfdn.org
URL: www.selbyfdn.org
Mission: To enhance the quality of life in Sarasota, Manatee,
Charlotte and DeSoto Counties in Florida.
Program: Since the Foundation was formed in 1955, it has made grants in the local
four-county area for capital projects. In addition to funding requests for capital needs,
the Foundation has a scholarship program called Selby Scholars. Each year 30 high school
seniors are chosen to receive a scholarship for one third of their financial need up to
$5,000 per year. This scholarship is renewal for the four years while the student is
pursuing a baccalaureate degree. The student must maintain a grade point average of at
least 3.0 and attend the annual Selby Scholar Symposium. At the Selby Scholar Symposium, the
student is paired with a community leader successful in the students field of study. In
addition to making networking connections, the students and community leaders benefit from a
talk by an inspiring author, each receiving a signed copy of the author’s book.
What initial approach do you prefer?
Guidelines are available on the website at www.selbyfdn.org
or by calling 941-957-0442. Only those nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota, Charlotte,
Manatee and DeSoto counties in Florida should inquire.
What keeps you motivated to work in the field of philanthropy?
What is motivating about the field of philanthropy? We have the opportunity to see not only
what is, but assist in what could be.
Tell us about a funding partnership you consider to be a great success and why.
The three largest foundations in Sarasota County formed the Funders Collaboration. The
partnering foundations are Community Foundation of Sarasota County, William G. Selby and Marie
Selby Foundation and The Venice Foundation. Two of our collaborative initiatives are:
- The Education Partnership with our local school district. This partnership provides
technical assistance to the district to build the district’s capacity for learning excellence.
To date the initiative has focused on K-3 Literacy, Career Education and Professional/Leadership
Development. This partnership has enabled the District to leverage our investment by obtaining
grants at the national level.
- We were the catalyst for the creation of SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for
Excellence), a citizen based planning group. SCOPE has developed a community report card with
over 100 quality of life indicators that is updated annually. Two issues of community
importance are studied annually through a seven-month, weekly session process with findings,
conclusions and recommendations presented to the community. Implementation committees are then
formed to ensure the studies do not sit on the shelf, but rather enact change.
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