SPARCCing a Legacy: MaryEllen Mancini and SPARCC

By Christy Pessemier | Photo by Nancy Guth | January 2024

In the late 1970s, a small group of women banded together to support a friend whose daughter was sexually assaulted on a Sarasota beach. Soon after, the need for services turned their effort into a non-profit to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Today, that non-profit is now known as SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, Inc.), and it’s the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services within Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, with offices in downtown Sarasota, Venice, North Port, and Arcadia.

SPARCC serves and supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence through crisis intervention, emergency shelter (open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year), legal services, safety planning, therapy, hospital and court accompaniment, and support groups. They also provide additional outreach services throughout the region including children’s services, case management, economic empowerment programs, and more. All of SPARCC’s programs and services are free and confidential.

In addition to offering immediate care and emergency help to individuals in crisis, SPARCC is committed to ongoing prevention education in the community through presentations at local schools, and community youth programs. Domestic and sexual violence training and education is also provided to law enforcement, healthcare, social services, and company HR departments.

MaryEllen Mancini, Vice President of Philanthropy at SPARCC is passionate about furthering the organization’s mission and connecting with people and philanthropists to raise awareness for a cause she deeply believes in. She is responsible for providing leadership, planning, and guidance for SPARCC’s fundraising efforts and day-to-day management for all development-related activities. In her role, she provides oversight and support for the volunteer fundraising arm of the agency, the SPARCC Auxiliary. Mary Ellen and her team also lead SPARCC’s communications efforts, coordinate fundraising events, as well as soliciting corporate and private sponsorships.

Mancini is quick to point out the ever-growing need for outreach, philanthropy, and awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault—because it touches everyone, and so many require help.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault are social problems and they happen in every single community,” Mancini said. “There’s no demographic or socioeconomic status. We have very affluent people who come and seek our services. They may not need to stay in our shelter, but may need legal assistance from one of our attorneys to get a protective order. These issues definitely touch everybody.”

To keep all of their support systems running, philanthropic contributions are vital. And that’s where Mancini comes in. A former freelance writer, her gift with communication comes in handy in many areas, including applying for grants.

“We apply all over the place,” Mancini said. “I write the narrative for the grants, but we work as a team with whoever here at the agency has the best knowledge of the program or need that applies to the grant.”

As a result of their efforts, SPARCC has received some generous grants to continue doing their vital work.

“We recently received a federal grant to extend the funding we need for an additional three years for SPARCC’s new housing stability program, and we apply for local grants, like the one we received through Impact100 SRQ, to start that housing program. We are thankful to receive support from our local foundations as well.”

Because the need is ongoing, SPARCC relies on the many volunteers and programs to keep everything not only running, but thriving.

SPARCC’s Auxiliary was formed in 1983, and is composed of mostly women volunteer members, but men sometimes join their wives in getting involved. This group of like-minded individuals comes together as a massive fundraising arm of the organization, with 300 volunteer members. Auxiliary members meet regularly for monthly coffees where they plan fundraising events while raising awareness about SPARCC in the community. SPARCC’s annual events include golf tournaments, a holiday luncheon, black-tie gala, card and game party, SPARCC Runway fashion show, social gatherings, and more.

As far as goals for the future, SPARCC is focused on their endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, working to build what Mancini calls their “forever plan.” This fund is in place to reduce the agency’s reliance on state and federal funding, which can be susceptible to reductions and changes, and build sustainability for programs and services.

Legacy Society donors are a huge focus for SPARCC, not only because of the impact they make on the lives of the survivors and the organization, but the feelings of goodwill they give to the donors themselves. These donors give to the SPARCC endowment fund at a level of $10,000 or more, or through a planned gift. What makes it extra meaningful is they get to see the value of their gift during their lifetime, these donors receive regular communication and updates on the agency’s activities and impact.

“When you’re a Legacy Society donor, you’re part of the SPARCC family,” Mancini said. “You’re allowing us to plan for the future and to be here for everyone who needs us, forevermore. The more money we can put into that endowment, the more secure the future of SPARCC is.”

Legacy donors also receive extra perks like VIP check-ins for SPARCC events, they’re honored by having their name displayed on a Legacy Society Tribute Wall at SPARCC’s main outreach office, and they receive a corsage at the annual gala.

“People will often ask Legacy Society members at the gala, “What is this flower about? Why the recognition?” she said. “It’s because, as a Legacy Society member, you see the value in making sure SPARCC is here forevermore, and you’ve made a special commitment.”

Mancini says her number one goal for SPARCC is to fill in all the empty spots on the Legacy Society Tribute Wall.

“From the moment we put up the wall, I told everyone that I want to be thinking about how we can expand our design to get as many names up there as we can,” she said. “How gratifying would it be to know that you were a part of saving people’s lives, and you’re a part of something that’s going to live on forever?”

As she meets people who want to be involved in a variety of ways, Mancini’s role is to align their passion for giving with a need or program that SPARCC has.

“We’re covering a lot of issues. Homelessness and housing security is a huge problem for survivors of domestic violence. Many times, they face obstacles in finding affordable housing. That can a big factor in why someone may return to an abusive relationship.”

Mancini says people need help not only moving forward, but in that moment of crisis they’re in when they contact SPARCC. It’s in those times that SPARCC is there to advocate and help survivors feel safe, whether that means meeting them at the hospital any time of day, going through the court system, or helping them navigate whatever difficult choices they need to make.

Through the Impact100 SRQ grant, a door has been opened for a housing stability program for survivors in need, with supportive services and rent assistance for those enrolled in the program.

“We’ve taken this gift that we received from the community and took it to the federal level and applied for a grant, and now we have sustainability for the program for the next three years.”

Mancini says she’s thankful to be involved in a community like Sarasota and the Gulf Coast, with so many generous donors and people willing to volunteer their time to help. She also credits the leadership team at SPARCC, and the CEO for the support and open forum they provide for employees.

“Now, we’ve taken what we’ve been given and turned it into something greater,” she said. “That’s what philanthropy does. It makes this whole community great and it makes us strong.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about upcoming events, how to donate, or get involved, visit sparcc.net.