Nonprofit assembles committee to oversee use of $10 million gift

SARASOTA — After receiving a $10 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Goodwill Manasota has convened a task force of Goodwill board members to assist staff in developing and expanding community services and overseeing the investment and deployment of the funds.

In December, Goodwill Manasota learned it was one of 384 nonprofits to receive a multi-million-dollar gift from Scott, according to a press release. A statement says the contribution will help Goodwill Manasota to carry out its strategic plan and address programs it could not previously undertake due to a lack of resources.

During the committee’s first meeting in February, some immediate priorities were approved, including an expansion of the Veterans and Their Families program into South County; the creation of new positions for employees with disabilities through the Supported JobsPlus program; the launch of the new Supported JobsPlus – Language program to improve English proficiency in the region; some subsidized Goodwill Manasota Mission Development Services programs to provide additional education, training and mentoring to Goodwills across the country; and the potential for additional mission services in DeSoto County to address Scott’s concern for the lack of rural services.

Board members serving on Goodwill’s Gift Committee include: 

• Xtavia Bailey, owner of Dollar Store Mania, is in her first year on Goodwill’s board. She has extensive community service experience with organizations including Manatee County Children’s Advisory Board, United Negro College Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Take Stock in Children and NAACP.

• Steve Boone, an attorney with Boone, Boone & Boone PA, is a former board chair with nine years of service on the board. He has volunteered with organizations including Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County, Manatee Community College, Sarasota County Teen Court, Venice-Nokomis Rotary Club and the Coalition to Support Assisted Living.

• Debbie Douglas, retired executive vice president for FCCI Insurance Group, has served for nine years on Goodwill’s board. She has been involved with organizations including the Sarasota County Advisory Committee for Health & Human Services Allocation, Sarasota County Teen Court and United Way Suncoast. She also volunteers with VITA, which provides free tax preparation.

• Rae Dowling, area manager, external affairs, for Florida Power & Light, has served on Goodwill’s board for five years. Her volunteer endeavors include service to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Sarasota Chamber, United Way Suncoast, Girl Scouts and United Way of Manatee.

• Rob Morris, president of Certified Fleet Services, is a former chair with 10 years of service on Goodwill’s board. Morris has been involved with the Sarasota Planning Commission, The Argus Foundation, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Sarasota Chamber and Church of the Redeemer.

• Brad West, CFO of PGT Innovations, is the current chair, with five years of service on the board. He has been active on the leadership teams for Woodland Community Church and the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

“When we learned about the gift from Ms. Scott, our first reaction was an overwhelming sense of responsibility to ensure we used the funds wisely to best serve our community,” says Goodwill Manasota President and CEO Bob Rosinsky in a statement. “With the leadership and guidance of our Gift Committee and input from valued community partners, we are looking forward to expanding existing programs and launching new ones where there are identified gaps.”