Community foundation appoints vice president of philanthropy

SARASOTA — The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has appointed a new vice president of philanthropy to lead its donor outreach and stewardship efforts.

In the role, Jay Young will further the foundation’s commitment to current and prospective donors by connecting them with local issues and causes and ensuring the greatest results for their philanthropic investments and goals, according to a press release.  

Young brings more than 28 years of experience in business development and relationship management in the financial services industry to the foundation. He most recently oversaw a regional team covering Florida and portions of the Southeastern U.S. at Fifth Third, working with large for-profit and nonprofits, including foundations, according to a statement. He previously held positions at Fidelity Investments and SunTrust Bank (now Truist).

“It’s rare to find someone as thoughtful and strategically-inclined as Jay, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him to our talented team,” says Community Foundation President and CEO Roxie Jerde in the statement. “With Jay’s expertise, knowledge, and enthusiasm, we’ll be able to dive even deeper with our donors to bring their charitable dreams to life and take those invaluable relationships to new heights. His desire to serve and impact community will certainly take us far.”

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 with assets of $421 million in more than 1,500 charitable funds. In 2020, the foundation awarded $48.9 million in grants and scholarships in education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $323 million to area nonprofits. 

“I’m honored and excited to start a new journey here at the Community Foundation alongside a community that has tremendous heart,” says Young in a statement. “I look forward to helping connect our donor’s dreams, visions, and investments for the future with the foundation’s deep resources, and, in the process, extend a helping hand of support to the many causes they feel most passionately about.”