This year, Community Foundation Tampa Bay celebrates 35 years of impact and a major milestone: $1 billion in philanthropic funds stewarded to strengthen lives and communities across the Tampa Bay region.
This pivotal achievement is not just about financial growth. It’s about impact. It represents thousands of people and organizations choosing to give back with a purpose.
As a business leader, fundholder and Chair of Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s Board of Trustees, I see firsthand how these philanthropic dollars are transformed into opportunity, equity and change. And I believe we’re just getting started.
A Personal Journey of Giving: Why I Chose to Invest
In 2018, my wife, Miriam, and I took a major step in our philanthropic journey by establishing our own Family Foundation through Community Foundation Tampa Bay. We had always believed in giving back, and we wanted to do it with more intention – to treat philanthropy with purpose and planning.
Giving isn’t just a kind gesture. For my wife and me, it’s something that should be considered in your long-term vision. Just like any business strategy, you need a philanthropic strategy. One that reflects your values and your goals, and that’s exactly what the Community Foundation helped us create.
The more time I spent with the Community Foundation, the more I knew I was in the right place. When I joined the Board of Trustees, the Community Foundation had grown from $142 million in assets in 2012, to more than $600 million in 2023. You could feel the momentum and I knew that reaching $1 billion wasn’t just possible, it was within our reach.
Leadership That Drives Impact
Behind Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s success is a team that is thoughtful, strategic and deeply connected to the needs of our community. Under the leadership of Marlene Spalten, President and CEO, the Foundation has experienced years of exponential growth.
Marlene has never allowed the organization to stagnate—she’s challenged us to think bigger, do more, and never lose sight of why we exist in the first place. At its core, the Foundation serves as a trusted connector — aligning donor passions with the missions of high-impact nonprofits. That’s what makes giving through the Foundation feel both personal and powerful. Fundholders are empowered to make meaningful contributions, while nonprofits gain more than just financial support — they receive tools for long-term sustainability, like endowments and expert guidance.
It’s this combination of vision, trust and deep community connection that powers real and lasting change across Tampa Bay. In 2024 alone, Community Foundation Tampa Bay received $170 million in contributions and distributed more than $31 million in grants. That’s real money making a real difference in the Tampa Bay region.
Why Community Foundation Tampa Bay Works: Trust, Strategy and Heart
What makes Community Foundation Tampa Bay stand out is simple: trust.
They take the time to listen – not just to what you want to do, but why you want to do it. They bring empathy and expertise to every conversation. There’s no pressure. Just guidance. They help you figure out what matters most, and how to make the most impact.
Since my wife and I began our fund, we’ve seen a 7.2% return – returns that stay in our fund and increase our ability to give even more over time. But those numbers are just a piece of the bigger picture. What matters most is the peace of mind that comes with it.
That peace of mind comes from knowing the Foundation handles everything from tax strategy to vetting nonprofit partners. They even help administer complex legacy gifts, which take the turmoil out of being philanthropic, so we can focus on what really matters: the impact our giving makes.
Looking Ahead: The Next 35 Years
Tampa Bay is a region on the rise. But with growth comes growing challenges – housing affordability, educational access and poverty.
That’s why the Community Foundation must continue to build meaningful connections – with families, businesses and advisors who care deeply about our region. We need to be big to do big things.
With strong leadership, trusted partners and a new Board Chair, in Linda Simmons, set to carry the vision forward, I believe Community Foundation is just getting started. The infrastructure is there. The momentum is there. And most importantly, the heart is there.
To the next generation of donors and community leaders, I’ll say this: Give from the heart. It will come back to you every single time.
Now’s the time to join us – and help write the next chapter in our community’s legacy of giving.
Oscar Horton is the Chairman and CEO of Horton Holdings, LLC, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.