DECEMBER Member Spotlight
Meet Phillip Lanham Phillip Lanham is President & CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to transforming our region through bold philanthropy and cross-sector collaboration. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, he is passionate about building partnerships that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. Phillip believes deeply in the power of connection and in philanthropy as a catalyst for lasting, meaningful change. |
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What is your involvement with Florida Philanthropic Network? What influenced you to join?
"Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a proud member of FPN since 2005. What I value most is that our engagement isn’t limited to leadership - team members across all levels and functions actively participate in FPN’s learning networks, policy discussions, and peer communities. It’s a place where we can both contribute and grow, and that shared learning is what keeps us deeply connected to the network.
Name one thing you find special about the Florida philanthropic community.
"Florida’s philanthropic community is uniquely collaborative. Even in a state as large and diverse as ours, funders show up for one another, share what works, and lean into partnerships that make our collective impact stronger."
Are there any partnerships or collaboration efforts you have found most meaningful to you in the last year?
"Housing has been at the center of some of our most meaningful work this year. One highlight is Heroes’ Village, the first permanently affordable housing complex for veterans in Sarasota County. This project was made possible through a true public–private partnership - local government, generous donors, and our nonprofit partner St. Vincent de Paul CARES united around a shared vision to ensure veterans have stability, dignity, and a place to call home.
We also joined three other local foundations to commission the Sarasota Housing Action Plan, developed by the Florida Housing Coalition. What makes this report so powerful is that it goes beyond identifying the challenges; it lays out practical solutions and actionable policies that can help ease the housing crisis in our region. These collaborations underscore how much we can accomplish when sectors come together with a common purpose."
What's the biggest challenge you've faced with your philanthropic efforts? How have you overcome them?
"One ongoing challenge is balancing urgent community needs with long-term, systems-level work. At Gulf Coast, we navigate this by grounding decisions in data, listening closely to our nonprofit partners, and maintaining strong relationships with donors who trust us to make thoughtful, strategic investments."
What fuels your cup - in life and at work?
"Connection fuels me. Whether it’s collaborating with community leaders, hearing from students whose lives were changed through opportunity, or spending time with my family, I’m energized by people and purpose. I’m grateful to work in a field where relationships truly matter."
Can you share one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a career in philanthropy?
"Lead with curiosity and authenticity. Ask questions, listen deeply, and stay genuinely interested in the people and communities you hope to serve. When you show up as your true self and stay open to learning from every partner, resident, and nonprofit, you build the kind of trust that makes meaningful, lasting impact possible."