Supporting Brunch on the Bay: A USF Sarasota-Manatee Tradition

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Nearly 1,800 scholarships have been awarded during the first 26 years of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s much-beloved Brunch on the Bay event. The impact of those scholarships is deeply felt in our community, as most of the USFSM graduates remain in the area upon graduation.  

This year’s 2020 Brunch on the Bay—set for Sunday, November 1st—looks to be every bit as exciting and impactful as the previous ones. Brunch Chairwoman Elizabeth Moore moved to Bradenton, Florida about 12 years ago and quickly immersed herself in land conversation initiatives, as well as the arts and culture arena. But she was drawn to USFSM. “Their students are an extraordinary group. They are engaged in a lot of different programs like business, biology, nursing, and hospitality management,” she notes. Most students stay in Sarasota and Manatee counties upon graduation. Some venture into places unknown and enrich those communities, but it’s great to have this kind of workforce locally!”

This year’s lead sponsor is the USF Federal Credit Union (USF FCU), which was founded in 1959 and started with 16 USF faculty members and $505 in assets. Today, the credit union has well over 60,000 members and assets of $710 million, reports Bill Steiger, USF FCU Brand Strategy and Communications Manager. “We love to give away scholarships,” he says, “and having been doing that for years. In fact, in 2019 alone, we gave $205,000 in scholarships to USF students—some at the Tampa campus, some in Sarasota-Manatee, and some in St. Pete.” 

The thing about credit unions is that they’re nonprofits, which fosters a true sense of obligation to give back to the communities they serve.  While the USF FCU merged with other credit unions—notably the West Coast Federal Employees Credit Union in Sarasota—they never forgot their USF roots and profound interest in supporting education.

What really excited USF FCU about becoming a sponsor for Brunch on the Bay was their brick-and-mortar presence in Sarasota. “There are a lot of USF grads, faculty, and staff in the area,” Steiger says. “We’ve had a presence at Brunch before, but this is a new, great opportunity. We’re excited and pleased to be able to sponsor Brunch on the Bay. We very much look forward to getting to know more people in the area and offer them our superior financial services.” 

Since credit unions are owned by their members, they tend to have deep relationships that aren’t just transactional.  “We always call them ‘members,’ not ‘customers,’” notes Steiger.  

“And, we’re typically able to charge lower fees and have lower rates for auto loans, mortgages, and other banking interactions. Because we’re a not for profit, we are able to pass savings on to our members.”  

It’s that sense of helping others and supporting the community that makes USF FCU such an ideal partner for Brunch on the Bay 2020. As Moore says, “There’s a young, vibrant energy here, and USF is training students to be professionals in our community. It’s vital to our economy. Workforce development is key when employers in the area can benefit from all of the new talent.” 

That’s why after five years of attending Brunch, she took on the role of Chair. On one hand, Moore says that “it’s a great social event; you see people you haven’t seen in a while. It’s full of lively interactions and outstanding food. People love to come out and have a great day on the lawn of the Bay, near the water.”

Yet, Moore knows full well the true focus of Brunch. “It’s really important for the community to support Brunch on the Bay and all the scholarships that the community provides for the students at USFSM,” she explains. “Eighty percent of the students at USFSM have some form of financial aid, and 50 percent have to work 30 hours per week or more, while attending classes. The funds, made available through Brunch on the Bay, cover tuition for the students so that they can join our workforce quickly. That’s what it’s all about.” 

Mary Kenealy Events, LLC partners with USFSM to orchestrate the annual, signature scholarship fundraiser. “Working with Mary Kenealy Events is wonderful,” notes Lee Williams, Regional Vice Chancellor, Advancement at USFSM. “Intuitively, the professionals at Mary Kenealy Events know what is required for a wildly successful occasion, and USFSM is thrilled to work with them on Brunch on the Bay.”

For More Informationon USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Brunch on the Bay, please visit www.usf.edu/brunch or call Pam at 941.359.4603.