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Capital Analytics Associates: Spotlight On: Phillip Lanham

Capital Analytics Associates: Spotlight On: Phillip Lanham

The following article appeared on Capital Analytics Associates on January 23, 2025:

In an interview with Invest:, Phillip Lanham, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, discussed key milestones over the past year, the foundation’s focus on impact investing, innovative approaches to affordable housing, cross-sector collaboration, disaster preparedness, and philanthropy’s evolving challenges and opportunities.

What were the milestones for Gulf Coast Community Foundation over the last year?

One key milestone was launching the Rapid Response Initiative after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Our team embraced an “all hands on deck” approach, raising resources from local donors and national funders and quickly distributing them to nonprofits best equipped to serve those in need. This remarkable effort occurred as our team managed their own personal concerns, yet they kept the community at the forefront.

Our first grant was issued seven hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall. With Helene and Milton occurring so close together, our response to Helene focused on restaurant workers on the barrier islands, prioritizing those without a safety net. As a former bartender and server, I know how quickly lost income can lead to struggles. We partnered with a national organization to provide cash directly to those most affected.

Milton’s broader impact required a larger response, including food, shelter, and mental health services. We also addressed heightened demand for professional support to help people cope with hurricane-related stress. As tragic as these events were, the way our team and community came together was truly inspiring.

One standout project is The Bay Sarasota, a park created from a parking lot along Sarasota Bay. Our board approved a $2 million challenge grant to the Bay Park Conservancy, which raised an additional $2 million, creating a $4 million investment.

The park integrates water quality improvements by filtering stormwater before it enters Sarasota Bay. This project addresses multiple priorities — green space, water quality, and mental well-being — while fostering inclusive programming for people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Impact investing is a priority for the foundation. Can you share the progress made in implementing this tool?

Two strategic priorities where we aim to be bold and proactive are affordable housing and mental health, alongside green space and water quality. Regarding impact investing, our board adopted a three-year strategic plan to develop an impact investing program, which is already underway.

At our recent board retreat, we approved a $2.5 million low-interest loan for an affordable housing project in Sarasota County. This funding was the final piece needed to complete the capital stack, showcasing Gulf Coast’s ability to facilitate impactful projects.

Considering the foundation’s priorities, where do you see the greatest opportunities for innovation?

Innovation is essential for addressing the affordable housing crisis. We’re conducting a study to determine the number of affordable housing units needed in our service area. While affordable housing often evokes thoughts of home ownership, our current focus is on creating rental units for the workforce.

This issue requires cross-sector collaboration — government, philanthropy, and the private sector all play critical roles. We recently visited St. Petersburg and Pinellas County to learn from their progress and plan to adapt some of their strategies.

Affordable housing is a national issue, exacerbated by the pandemic, which drove people to Florida and caused housing prices to spike. Although prices have leveled off somewhat, there’s no return to pre-2019 levels. Tackling this challenge will demand innovative solutions and collective effort.

How does Gulf Coast Community Foundation foster cross-sector collaborations to deliver impactful solutions for regional challenges?

One example is the Affordable Housing Summit, which we co-sponsored for the second year. These events educate stakeholders, especially policymakers, about housing solutions. Many elected officials attended the summit, where we discussed policy decisions and funding mechanisms.

Pinellas County sets a great example by leveraging tax resources to fund its Housing Trust. Gulf Coast excels at educating officials and the public about who we aim to help. Affordable or workforce housing is often misunderstood — we support teachers, nurses, firefighters, and others who work hard and deserve to live in the communities they serve. Achieving this requires a collective agreement that benefits everyone.

Considering the rapid response to hurricanes, what lessons have you applied to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities?

Hurricanes are unique disasters because those providing aid are often simultaneously affected. Coming from the Midwest, I’m used to tornadoes, where helpers are less likely to be victims. With hurricanes, everyone is impacted, which adds complexity.

Balancing the well-being of my team, family, and the community — the three-legged stool — is challenging.

Although I wasn’t here during Hurricane Ian, the team learned invaluable lessons and applied them to Helene and Milton. We implemented systems to issue payments quickly and electronically, ensuring nonprofit partners could deploy resources within hours instead of waiting for physical checks.

Proactivity and teamwork were crucial. Our team carefully planned every step, enabling rapid and effective responses.

How has leveraging technology and data enhanced your ability to measure impact and adapt to emerging community needs?

We see significant opportunities in leveraging AI and big data. While we haven’t yet implemented AI for grant reviews or impact measurement, we’re actively exploring its potential.

Currently, we conduct Regional Scans every two to three years using traditional methods like interviews and surveys. Moving forward, we aim to integrate big data with these qualitative insights. Layering community data over feedback will provide a more comprehensive understanding of needs and outcomes.

With a marketing background, I know there can be discrepancies between what people say and do. Combining qualitative insights with big data will help us better understand and address community behaviors and needs.

What advocacy efforts is the foundation pursuing to support the nonprofit sector and charitable giving?

Locally, our County Commission has a strong history of supporting health and human services, particularly behavioral health. However, in recent summers, they haven’t always followed advisory committee recommendations. We’ve used our voice to share insights from our daily nonprofit work, helping to inform and, at times, change decisions.

For example, we’ve advocated for continued funding for the Early Learning Coalition, which receives state matching dollars. Ensuring local funding for early childhood education programs is critical to maintaining a strong community safety net.

Nationally, we’re focused on the 2025 expiration of the 2017 tax code, which could significantly impact charitable giving. Community foundations are working together in Washington, D.C., to ensure the nonprofit sector’s needs are represented in these discussions.

What are the most pressing challenges and opportunities for philanthropy in the region?

A major issue is the decline in overall giving. According to the most recent Giving USA report, total giving is down 2.1% when adjusted for inflation. This is concerning because philanthropy is crucial to addressing societal gaps, particularly in the United States, where private generosity plays a central role.

The 2017 tax code changes, including the increased standard deduction, have reduced incentives for charitable giving. Some people are choosing non-deductible ways to give, such as crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, which serve important purposes but don’t replace established nonprofits.

As we approach 2025, it’s essential to advocate for a tax structure that encourages giving. Community foundations are collaborating nationally to ensure the sector’s voice is heard during this critical time.

How do you envision the Gulf Coast Community Foundation continuing to lead transformative change in the region?

Our three-year strategic plan, “Transforming, Together,” guided by the OGSM framework, focuses on deepening donor partnerships. Donor advised funds contribute over three times our annual grant budget, making these partnerships essential.

We are aligning donor interests with impactful priorities. Affordable housing, mental health, and green space + water quality remain central to our strategy. Collaborating with donors and funders will be key to driving transformative change.

What are some additional challenges Gulf Coast is addressing?

Donor fatigue is a challenge. While generosity remains high, particularly during disasters, nonprofits outside human services face fundraising difficulties.

On a positive note, Heroes’ Village, our new affordable housing initiative for veterans, is a collaboration with the City of Sarasota, Gulf Coast, St. Vincent de Paul CARES, and donors. It will provide housing and wraparound services tailored to veterans’ needs.

This multi-sector project, with corporate support from organizations like Home Depot, will open in early 2025, marking a significant milestone.