1955 to Present: Over Fifty Years of Giving
From scholarships to swimming pools; from theaters to science labs; and from senior citizens to school children, the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has changed and enhanced the lives of our citizens. Thanks to the thoughtful vision of its founders in establishing their private charitable foundation in 1955, a wide variety of initiatives have benefited in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Two people – Bill and Marie Selby – made all this possible. And because they were reticent people – shying away from the ostentation of public displays – the Foundation has developed in that image as well, keeping a low profile while supporting the growth of individuals and organizations.
Giving to the Community: The Selby Legacy
While the true breadth of the Selby‘s philanthropic efforts cannot be captured on a single page, there are 5 main categories in which the community benefits from their legacy of giving:
Education
Both William and Marie Selby were college graduates and understood the importance of education. Since they did not have children, the Selbys were interested in helping future generations achieve their full potential, and felt that a quality education was critical. The Foundation has touched the lives of schoolchildren, college students, and adults through significant support of our libraries, historical organizations, sciences, community education and various scholarship programs.
Human Services
Over the years, Selby Foundation has made significant contributions to human services projects. Grants are usually made for capital purposes such as equipment and buildings. There are stories about the Selbys’ generosity in helping to start Sarasota Memorial Hospital by writing checks to volunteers in the early days. During the 16 years that Marie Selby worked with the Foundation trustees, her interest in human services was evidenced by her personal contributions made to match the grants made by the Foundation. Developmental disabilities, early childhood development, families in crisis and medical support have all been supported through the Foundation.
Parks and Nature
Mr. and Mrs. Selby loved the outdoors and nature. When Mrs. Selby passed away, she left their home and seven acres of landscaped grounds on Palm Avenue for the development of a garden for the enjoyment of the general public, which we now know as the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Since then, the Foundation has helped grow and protect parks, playgrounds, environmentally sensitive lands and horticultural activities. It has also supported the building of a dozen community swimming pools for children and adults.
Housing
When the Selby’s first moved to Sarasota in the early 1900s, they could have constructed a palatial home befitting their status, but instead they built a modest one-story dwelling that met their needs. Their legacy lives on in the Foundation’s support of affordable housing for those who need it most – special needs or disabled citizens, at-risk youth, low-income seniors, artists and more.
The Arts
Healthy, vibrant communities are the result of healthy, vibrant citizens. But people need more than just the “standard amenities” to thrive – they also need a creative outlet to explore their own voice. By supporting theatres, musical productions, the circus, art houses, galleries, and many other artistic endeavors, Bill and Marie Selby were investing in the whole community. Their tradition of generosity to the Arts has been preserved in the grantmaking trends of the Foundation ever since. |
