Southwest Florida Community Foundation
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation, operating publicly as **Collaboratory**, is a regional community foundation established in 1976 and based in Fort Myers, Florida. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) public charity and serves as the primary philanthropic institution for Southwest Florida. The foundation operates with 38 employees and maintains a physical presence at the Collaboratory building, which serves as a community gathering space for connection and collaborative work.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$183.5M
+12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
-10.9% YoY
Grant Count
166
-2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
-8.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Collaboratory's evolved mission is committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida's major social problems by 2040. The foundation emphasizes that this work is not done alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, and Collier.
Since its founding in 1976, the organization has made over $120 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. The foundation acknowledges its legacy of traditional grant-making work while committing to making deeper impact by going to the root causes of social issues.
Primary focus areas include:
- Workforce Development — Addressing workforce challenges and economic mobility
- Housing — Expanding workforce housing and community infrastructure
- Health & Wellness — Transforming Southwest Florida into one of the healthiest communities in the nation
- Education — Increasing graduation rates and improving education outcomes
Grantmaking
The foundation operates multiple grant programs:
Average Grant
amount:** $5,029–$3,679,194
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves five counties in Southwest Florida:
- Lee County
- Hendry County
- Glades County
- Charlotte County
- Collier County
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $183,474,472 | 2025 |
| Total Assets | $169,000,000 | 2023 |
| Total Assets | $163,000,000 | 2024 |
| Total Revenue | $31,414,260 | 2025 |
| Total Revenue | $28,100,000 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $19,680,699 | 2025 |
| Total Expenses | $17,300,000 | 2024 |
| Total Liabilities | $7,890,000 | 2024 |
| Annual Giving | $10,500,000 | 2024 |
The organization maintains a donor-advised fund and operates with strong financial health.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $183,474,472 | $162,968,322 | $159,037,731 |
| Revenue | $31,414,260 | $28,118,994 | $21,592,217 |
| Expenses | $19,680,699 | $17,300,901 | $16,701,607 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $10,185,417 | $8,152,026 | $2,013,606 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Collaboratory Scholarships
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Over $1.2 million annually
Deadline
Rolling / Open
SWFL Women's Executive Leadership Program
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
December 7, 2026
Women's Legacy Fund
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Membership: $250 - $10,000+
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium Inc ($135,000), Estero Forever Foundation ($123,758), Cape Coral Animal Shelter ($56,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALL HOUND RESCUE OF FLORIDA INC PORT ST LUCIE, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ALL SEATED IN A BARN BAKERSFIELD, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS FORT MYERS, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| ALLINA HEALTH FOUNDATION MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALPHA & OMEGA FREEDOM MINISTRIES INC WAUCHULA, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION TAMPA, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,942 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY OF ANIMALS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,872 |
| ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER INC FORT MYERS, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $54,698 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE OF LABELLE INC LABELLE, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $13,358 |
| BAGS BASSET RESCUE MINERVA, OH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $7,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAWN BELAMARICH | CHAIR/ PRESIDENT | 55 | $297,684 |
| GAIL MARKHAM | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| GARY GRIFFIN | VICE CHAIR & SECRETARY/TREASURER | 3 | — |
| DALE REISS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| DAMON ROMANELLO | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| FRED MOON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| HARRISON S KNIGHT | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| JUAN BENDECK | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| JULIE BEN-SUSAN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KAREN WATSON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KHANDYCE MOSELY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| LAUREN DRASITES | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| LILLIE RENTZ | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MALIKE ADIGUN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ROSEMARY FLLORI | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| SALLY JACKSON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| SUZANNE BOY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| TESSA LESAGE | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | 50 | $170,140 |
| JONATHAN ROMINE | CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER | 50 | $158,262 |
| JOSEPH BRAUN | CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER | 50 | $102,416 |
| MARINA NASSIF | CFO (THROUGH 07/23/24) | 50 | $93,539 |
| SHARON RALSTON | CFO (AS OF 9/5/24) | 50 | $120,688 |
| ALEX BREAULT | PARTNERSHIP MANAGER | 40 | $100,800 |
Contact Information
Address: 2031 Jackson Street, Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33901-3627
Phone: (239) 274-5900
Email: info@collaboratory.org
Website: collaboratory.org
EIN: 59-6580974
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southwest Florida Community Foundation fund?
Collaboratory's evolved mission is committed to **coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida's major social problems by 2040**. The foundation emphasizes that this work is not done alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, and Collier. Since its founding in 1976, the organization has made over $120 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and f…
How do I apply for a grant from Southwest Florida Community Foundation?
The foundation operates multiple grant programs: **Non-Competitive Grants** are processed through designated, agency, and donor-advised funds: • Designated and agency funds are generally distributed during the first quarter of the calendar year, unless specified by a distribution payment schedule • Donor-advised funds are processed throughout the year, allowing donors to recommend grants to qualified charitable organizations (with the foundation retaining full discretion of disbursement approva…
Where does Southwest Florida Community Foundation make grants?
The foundation serves five counties in Southwest Florida: • Lee County • Hendry County • Glades County • Charlotte County • Collier County
What size grants does Southwest Florida Community Foundation award?
In 2025, Southwest Florida Community Foundation awarded 166 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Southwest Florida Community Foundation's EIN?
Southwest Florida Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-6580974. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Southwest Florida Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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