JFCS Embarks on Bold Philanthropy

By Sue Cullen | Photos by Josh Botzenhart

A new development team is in place at JFCS of the Suncoast that is finding new ways to engage the community in bold, forward-thinking philanthropy that is mission-oriented and focused on changing lives for the better. JFCS is accomplishing this is by acknowledging that struggling individuals and families grapple with multiple challenges that must be addressed holistically–along with the underlying causes–for sustainable life changes using a trauma-informed approach.

“We work to be the best stewards possible for our current donors and want to have deep conversations that focus on the mission and sustainability of JFCS,” said Heidi Brown, CEO. “We hired Laura McManus-Mesia to lead a new approach to our philanthropy and we are fundraising for our mission rather than for specific programs. We want our donors to understand how to develop their philanthropy to achieve what they care about rather than just focus on programs.”

This means seeking funds that are unrestricted in use allowing JFCS the flexibility to apply them where needed to support individuals and families for whom wraparound services are vital. Having the flexibility to administer funds where needed to address these and other situations fully is driving the change to JFCS’ approach to development. For example, many donors are drawn to programs that aid children, such as Camp Mariposa for adolescents who are dealing with substance abuse by a parent or caregiver. Offering these children a much-needed respite and support by mental health counselors and educators for a weekend at Camp Mariposa is beneficial, but it can only go so far.

To truly help children and break the cycle of addiction, both they and other family members likely need other social services, such as JFCS’ mental health counseling or programs to address homelessness prevention, domestic violence and child abuse or neglect. “Our continuum of services is interconnected, and we want our funders and partners to understand our needs and whether diversifying their funding may have more impact,” Brown said.

JFCS has been expanding Camp Mariposa services to include ongoing outreach, which may encompass counseling, at-home visits and telephone support or even assistance in finding part-time jobs. “It has been a significant fundraising ask this year to extend Camp Mariposa’s reach, and we’ve already received significant support from our donor pool,”said McManus-Mesia, Chief of Development and Marketing. “I think this will be life-changing for the kids, and it demonstrates a holistic approach where we find solutions that allow them to better manage life going forward.”

JFCS annually helps more than 5,700 people from diverse backgrounds to address needs through the entire life cycle, including more than 1,000 counseling clients and more than 1,750 families. Programs include homelessness prevention, including veterans, and aid for at risk youth, isolated seniors, parents, caregivers and patients being treated for or recovering from cancer. Foundational to all of those programs are JFCS’ mental health counseling services, which are used by the entire community and are available on a sliding fee scale based on income and then supplemented by raised dollars both through private donors and grants.

The new development department was brought on board by McManus-Mesia, who joined JFCS a year ago with experience in nonprofit leadership, development and marketing. McManus-Mesia immediately began recruiting individuals for the development staff, including Stephen Fancher, Vice President of Major Gifts and Planned Giving.

“The goal was to develop a platform for the future of philanthropy, and we want to engage donors in a different way,” McManus-Mesia said. “The new process is to report nine months into the donation. We give an accurate account of their donated funds whether that is $50 or $50,000, to carefully detail how their investment in JFCS is changing lives.” Since joining JFCS, McManus-Mesia has established a model of excellence for future development efforts. She likes to refer to donors as investors and extols a bold philanthropy approach aimed at effecting lasting change by offering clients a hand up. “It really is a an act of faith, trust and planned investment, and I refer to our donors as investors because I think of them as investing in the future of the clients we serve, which means investing in the scope of our mission,” she said.

One upcoming initiative highlights the importance of JFCS’ counseling services. In 2019, a two-year $1 million mental health services fundraising campaign is being launched. “Our counselors use a trauma-informed approach that addresses the root of the issue. It looks at the full scope of the client’s life, as far back as early childhood, to establish the types of care needed. This reaches across many of our programs and is the reason why JFCS can help in such a complete way,” McManus-Mesia said. “If our mission is to change lives and help people in crisis, we need to use multiple strands of services and operate more flexibly. That is what we are hoping will attract donors to this bold philanthropy, which is to invest in our mission and not one singular program.”

Sustainability for the future is also a key objective for the new development department, and Fancher is taking point on that with responsibility for planned giving. He came to JFCS after working in development for the Sarasota Opera and has a diverse background as a music educator and financial planner. “As a fundraiser, you constantly worry about operating expenses and whether services can be continued year over year. You have to look at how you are growing your endowment for the future so you don’t have to rely on major donors year after year,” he said. “One of the ways to be sustainable forever is through legacy giving, which could be through a donor’s estate or as beneficiary on an IRA.” Fancher, who is a concert pianist and associate conductor for Key Chorale, also is reaching out to introduce arts patrons to JFCS.

Another way to ensure needed services endure for the long term is to engage younger generations in philanthropy, which JFCS is doing by creating Beyond Me for young philanthropists in collaboration with a number of other local nonprofits. Aimed at 21 to 45 year olds, Beyond Me provides a way to be connected with the philanthropic community for those whose funds and time may largely be devoted to work, raising a family and building college funds. “Sarasota already has a culture of philanthropy at the heart of who we are as a community,” Fancher said, “and we want to be sure we perpetuate that.”

JFCS has been addressing human services needs locally since 1986, and as the community changes, it has evolved to meet current and emerging needs without losing sight of its legacy of helping others. “JFCS has been here more than 30 years,” McManus-Mesia said, “and we are clear on our mission and who we can serve and collaborate with in the community.”

For more information on JFCS, visit jfcs-cares.org or call 941.366.2224.