Science and Environment Council Awarded $10,000 Grant

February 18, 2022 – Sarasota

The Science and Environment Council (SEC) is the area’s hub of environmental leadership. As a non-profit collaborative network of 39 leading science-based environmental non-profit and government organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, the SEC serves as a catalyst and multiplier creating powerful synergy and leverage among its member organizations and the communities they serve. With a Capacity Building grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, they sought to determine the value of this highly collaborative network.

Incorporated in 2001, the SEC marked its 20^th year as a leader in Southwest Florida by commissioning a study to measure the value that membership provides to its members for achieving results.  The study further serves to document compelling stories that will support long-term sustainability of the SEC with members and donors.

Fourteen SEC member organizations were interviewed for the study. The non-profit consultant Results 1st worked with SEC Co-Executive Directors Drs. Jennifer Shafer and David Shafer to determine the scope of the project, craft the interview questions, and pick a diverse representation of members in terms of size, focus area, public and private, and length of membership.

The stories that emerged from the interviews confirmed that collaboration achieves results. “This study independently verified what we all felt to be true—the SEC creates a deeply collaborative culture that benefits SEC members and the communities they serve,” said Jennifer Shafer. The collaborations between SEC members are considered highly valuable to all members interviewed. Each of the 14 organizations interviewed was able to provide at least two examples of how collaborations allowed them to achieve greater gains in one or more areas of impact for their organization.

By being a member of the SEC and through collaboration with other SEC members, organizations reported they achieve greater organizational results, marketing and awareness, information and data-sharing, resource sharing, professional development for staff, advocacy opportunities, and grant opportunities. For SEC’s members, the value of collaboration is perceived as far greater than any potential competition for resources.

“It is often difficult to find collaboration within organizations. To find it among many different organizations is rare. SEC’s members are able to accomplish more because of the invaluable collaboration opportunities made possible through this unique and impactful council,” concluded Robyn Faucy, CEO of Results 1^st who conducted the study.

In 2021, SEC leveraged the value of membership dues 12 times over to generate collaborative project and program funds. The SEC’s work convening discussions, informing policy, and enhancing public awareness about science-based conservation and sustainable practices to protect our natural environment directly translates into improved quality of life, public health, and economic value.

Funding the SEC’s 2021 Value Study was provided by the Kathleen D. Baylis Fund and the Edward K. Roberts Emerging Needs Fund of the    Community Foundation of Sarasota County.