The Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy to benefit the Tampa Bay community
The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Stetson University College of Law have formed a new partnership to benefit the Tampa Bay area. The two organizations have created the Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy, which will align the power of advocacy with the heart of philanthropy. This new alliance reflects both organizations’ longstanding commitment to addressing important issues for an even more vibrant community.
The Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy is a collaborative partnership, which makes a strong case for creating positive change through the lens of activism and the spirit of giving. The Alliance is a unique initiative to engage the community and spark deep discussion through:
- Connection, by building partnerships and leveraging resources to enhance the common good
- Education, by developing self-advocacy and institutional capacity through access to experts and educational opportunities
- Collaboration, by providing pathways for members of the community as well as students to become actively involved
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students and our community,” said Michèle Alexandre, dean of Stetson University College of Law. “Working together, we can empower the next generation of nonprofit and Tampa Bay leaders to become effective community advocates, which will have a positive impact on our region.”
As part of the collaboration, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay will offer two paid fellowships each semester for students attending Stetson University College of Law. The two fellowships will begin in spring 2020, and students will gain an indepth understanding of community philanthropy and have hands-on experience in working with nonprofit organizations.
In addition, Stetson University College of Law is providing office space at its Gulfport campus for the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. Stetson also will provide meeting and conference space to the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay at its Gulfport and downtown Tampa campuses.
The general public, local nonprofits, and corporations will have opportunities to take part in conversations sparked by the Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy during events held at Stetson University College of Law.
Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, said, “We look forward to working with Florida’s first law school to create opportunities for our region, to discuss communitywide challenges and possible solutions, and to promote the economic health and vitality of Tampa Bay through an innovative program.”
The Alliance for Advocacy and Philanthropy formalizes the organizations’ shared belief in aligning resources and investing in advocacy, thought leadership, and programs to solve community challenges. The partnership will include pro bono program opportunities for students to support Tampa Bay area not-for-profits. Faculty and students at Stetson University College of Law provide more than 30,000 hours of pro bono legal and advocacy services through various institutes, programs and centers, including the Veterans Law Institute, Center for Excellence in Advocacy, the Social Justice Advocacy Program the Center for Excellence in Elder Law, etc.
The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay awards about $20 million each year to nonprofit organizations. Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, the Community Foundation has granted more than $230 million.
About the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Founded in 1990, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For almost 30 years, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to award nearly $230 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country.
About Stetson University College of Law
Stetson University College of Law, Florida’s first law school, has prepared lawyers and leaders since 1900. Today, Stetson leads the nation in blending legal doctrine with practical training, evidenced by its top-ranked programs in advocacy and legal writing. Through their academically rigorous curriculum and commitment to social responsibility, Stetson lawyers are ethical advocates ready to succeed in the legal profession. Stetson graduates include prominent attorneys, judges, CEOs and advocates for positive change.
