61 THE GIVING GURU Susie Bowie Inspires Philanthropy Across Manatee County WORDS: Amy Bell PICTURES: Whitney Patton When the founding Executive Director of Manatee Community Foundation (MCF), Marilyn Howard, retired in 2016, the board launched a nationwide search for a Bowie of��cially started as MCF’s Executive Director on April 4, 2016. Today, she leads the Foundation in partnership with the Board of Directors. Bowie tirelessly teams up with donors, community and foundation leaders and nonpro��ts while identifying opportunities for MCF to expand philanthropy in Manatee County. replacement. After searching far and wide, MCF pinpointed the perfect candidate right here in Manatee County: Susie Bowie. Bowie had been working for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for 11 years in various roles - from helping nonprofits become stronger organizations and building partnerships with other foundations, to leading Giving Challenge events that resulted in $15 million in donations. “I had the opportunity to spearhead the development of The Giving Partner and The Giving Challenge, watching them grow with the support of so many donors and partner foundations from 2012 through 2015,” Bowie recalls. “The phenomenon of democratizing not just philanthropy - but informed giving - is very exciting to me.” Because Manatee Community Foundation has a special relationship with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Bowie was a natural choice as Executive Director of MCF. After 58 candidates applied for the position and ��ve ��nalists were interviewed, the board unanimously selected Bowie to manage the foundation’s $37 million in assets and drive the organization to the next level. “I was attracted to the Executive Director role at MCF because I live here and understand how the history of the organization and our community’s desire to grow the impact of philanthropy can come together for even greater good,” Bowie explains. “Working with a team of dedicated staff, board members, donors, nonprofit’s, and business and government partners to make it happen is pretty special.” Susie with MCF staff (left to right) Calaina Goodyear, Suzi Atherton and Joan McCaw THE FOUNDATION OF GENEROSITY Manatee County Foundation was founded in 1998 by a visionary group of civic leaders as a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Today, MCF is dedicated to serving local donors and matching their charitable interests with the needs of the Manatee County community.
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