The Patterson Foundation

The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by  focusing on issues that address mutual aspirations, foster wide participation, and encourage  learning and sharing. The Patterson Foundation’s values guide our approach to philanthropy,  demonstrating our collaborative philosophy and tenets of change.

We work with others to  strengthen their impact by: 

  • Understanding that resources and expertise beyond the gift provide value

  • Being accessible and engaged with others

  • Striving to learn as we collaborate and share successes and challenges 

We believe meaningful change requires commitment and persistence and encourage this by:

  • Embracing new ideas that address a constantly changing world

  • Undertaking philanthropic work in ways others are not doing, cannot do, or will not do

  • Demonstrating integrity blended with joyful stewardship 

We invest for lasting impact by: 

  • Managing assets responsibly

  • Realizing real change requires depth of resources 

  • Focusing on shared aspirations while leveraging resources

Website:  https://www.thepattersonfoundation.org/

The Patterson Foundation’s work with The Harwood Institute

  • Worked with the Institute since at least 2012, training over 200 public innovators across a  four county region 

  • Supported community initiative focused on developing the Manatee County and Sarasota  County public library systems

  • Embedded Harwood approach across foundation programs, including Aspirations2Action  and Campaign for Grade Level Reading

  • Held numerous tour stops, including for Make Hope Real, Stepping Forward, and Healing & Hope

  • Created countywide book clubs reading Stepping Forward

DEBRA JACOBS

President & CEO

In January 2009, Debra Jacobs became the President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation (TPF) based in Sarasota, Florida. TPF works with partners to accelerate positive change by sharing fresh perspectives on strategy, contributing new ideas, and providing resources. TPF believes the act of creative collaboration produces results and knowledge that can be applied more broadly to transcend any single act of philanthropy.

Before transitioning to TPF, Debra was President of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, based in Sarasota, Florida. In addition to the Selby Foundation, she was responsible for the administration of eight other independent foundations.

Prior to joining the Selby Foundation in May 1998, Debra was the Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Ringling College of Art and Design. Debra came to this position after 11 years as Executive Vice President for SunTrust Bank, Gulf Coast. Before joining SunTrust in December 1985, she was Senior Vice President and Retail Division Administrator of Central Trust Company in Rochester, New York.

Debra received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1971 and earned her MBA in 1981 from the University of Rochester.