As a new team member of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, I have had the pleasure of spending my first few months getting to know donors, volunteers, and board members who continually invest in our mission. Among this group are longtime conservation community members, Kathy and Ric Coffey. I’ve spent more than a decade in the philanthropic space of the Gulf Coast region, building relationships with many, and I can confidently say the Coffeys represent the kind of people every nonprofit envisions in their corner, truly!
Kathy and Ric are what I think of as exceptional conservation community members due to their advocacy, investment, and passion. From my first interaction with Kathy in her home, to a recent luncheon we both attended, her warm and welcoming energy shines as she shares her dedication to our mission. Kathy and Ric are involved not only as donors but also as an extension of our team, continually sharing our work and inviting others to our events. Kathy is also a co-chair of our annual Palm Ball, one of our signature fundraising events that’s been bringing the conservation community together for fifteen years.
We honored Kathy and Ric Coffey at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Day celebration this year where the theme was The Power Of One. At the event, donors, volunteers, and professionals from across the non-profit sector came together to celebrate philanthropy and the multiple ways our community can engage with local charitable organizations. The Coffeys have supported our mission to save land and water for over ten years and know the importance of our work. They are passionate about protecting the special places that make our region unique! The impact on Conservation Foundation from these two exceptional individuals, who as a couple are greater than the sum of their parts, will last forever.
Kathy grew up visiting Gulf Coast beaches as her family’s second home was in Sarasota; she has loved this region for decades. Our efforts to protect special places in perpetuity aligns with the Coffey’s passion to support missions that impact future generations. They believe in supporting organizations whose work will make the future brighter for their granddaughter. Kathy and Ric’s love for supporting and helping others started at a very young age, and was upheld as a core value when raising their two children who also now support Conservation Foundation.
The Coffeys also value our commitment to community and investment in educational programming. They strongly believe residents should learn the rich history of the land and the important role everyone can have in saving and protecting special places, forever. Kathy and Ric believe an investment of time, talent, or treasure in Conservation Foundation is an investment today that will last forever. We are fortunate and grateful to have them as part of our conservation community, sharing our mission and investing in a future where nature and people flourish together.
