The national John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities where the Knight Brothers owned newspapers including Bradenton, Florida.
In 2003, as part of an initiative to start, support and grow community foundations in its 26 newspaper communities, the Knight Foundation challenged the new Manatee Community Foundation’s Board of Directors to raise the first $ 1 million of endowment monies for Manatee County.
A $300,000 challenge grant was issued to MCF. Board members and community supporters of the new community foundation needed to raise $750,000 in endowment funds and operating dollars to receive the grant. The Knight Foundation gave MCF three years to raise the money. MCF successfully met the challenge in only six months.
The following donors responded to the Knight challenge and created the first MCF funds. They are honored as Founders of the Manatee Community Foundation.
Founders’ Funds
Chairman’s Level
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund
Mary E. Parker Fund
Rowlett Family Fund
Olive Boyles Golden Scholarship Fund
Director’s Level
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund
Lillian H. Bishop SPCA Foundation Fund
Mary E. Parker Foundation Fund
Sara and Ray Baden Fund
Leadership Level
Dan P. McClure Family Fund
GE Appliances
Wayne C. Rickert Fund
Marlene and Bob Blalock Fund
Hoenle Family Fund
Partnership Level
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Beall’s Fund
Brinker Creek Fund
Ed Chiles Family Fund
Margaret and Bob Christopher Fund
John and Lorna Clarke Fund
Bob and Judy Clay Fund
Gary and Shannon Cox Family Fund
Des Champs Family Fund
Dr. E.P. Dickerson Memorial Fund
Evans-Wood Family Foundation Fund
Firkins Charitable Fund
Whitney Bank Fund
Florida Power and Light Fund
Gigliotti/Merucci Family Fund for Children
Gerry and Stuart Gregory Family Fund
Sara Scott Harllee Family Fund
Gene and Bonnie Hull Fund
Kiwanis Club of Bradenton Foundation Fund
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John W. and Lydia J. Kolbas Family Fund
John C. Manson Charitable Fund
Neil and Bettye McCurry Fund
Arthur C. Murray Foundation Fund
Patrick and Charlene Neal Charitable Fund
Northern Trust Bank Fund
Ken and Jan Oden Conservation Fund
Beverly Beall Riechmann and R. Kemp
Riechmann Fund
Michael Saunders Fund
Jan E. Smith and Harriat B. Smith Fund
Stan Stephens Scholarship Fund
SunTrust Bank Fund
Herman E. and Helen H. Turner Foundation Fund
Wachovia Fund
Bruce Williams Homes Fund
WilsonMiller Charitable Fund
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