Making An Impact

05/23/2026

Making An Impact: Best Memorial Day. Ever. 🇺🇸🕊️

Today was not about cookouts or sales. It was about community, history, respect, and restoration.

On behalf on Making An Impact and Tidewell Foundation I had the honor of joining an incredible group of volunteers helping clean and restore the historic Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where generations of Black community leaders, families, and veterans were laid to rest between 1902 and 1977.

What could have remained a story of vandalism and heartbreak instead became a powerful example of unity, compassion, and collective action.

I certainly was not alone in this effort. So many individuals, organizations, churches, veterans groups, and community leaders stepped up. I was especially proud to help garner the assistance and significant contributions of Tidewell and its parent company Empath Health, whose support and presence meant a great deal to the community.

There was something deeply moving about watching people of all backgrounds come together to honor those who came before us. Every flower placed, every branch lifted, every marker cleaned was an act of dignity and remembrance.

These are not forgotten grounds. These are hallowed grounds.

And today proved this community has not forgotten the people buried there either.



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05/13/2026

The Challenge of Giving
A little perspective :
If your generosity is measured by if or how quickly you receive a thank you, you may be giving for recognition instead of impact.

Most nonprofits are juggling limited staff, volunteers, emergencies, fundraising, and mission work all at once. A delayed thank you is not always a lack of gratitude. Sometimes it is simply the reality of serving others with limited resources.

Give because you believe in the mission, not because you expect applause. The real reward is the difference your support makes. ❤️

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04/13/2026

🌪️ When the Storm Comes, Will You Be Ready? 🌧️
Hurricane season is a reality in our community, and preparation can mean the difference between chaos and recovery. 🌀📘

By supporting Making An Impact during the 2026 Giving Challenge, noon to noon on April 15-16th, you help place trusted, life-saving disaster guides into the hands of those who need them most,... before, during, and after the storm.

💙 Your gift ensures that when disaster strikes, information is a lifeline.
⏰ Give during the 24-hour event and make your impact count!

04/12/2026

**🚨 JUST 100 HOURS TO MAKE AN IMPACT! 🚨**

In just **100 hours**, the **2026 Giving Challenge** begins! ⏳ When disasters strike, and the power goes out, **information becomes a lifeline**. Your support helps place trusted disaster preparedness and recovery guides into the hands of those who need them most ... before, during, and after the storm. 🌪️📘

Every donation up to $100 will be **matched 1:1**, doubling your impact! 💙Be ready. Be the one. Make an impact. 🙌

03/26/2026

This One Mistake Reduces Your Credibility & Increases Your Liability
We’re excited to share our latest blog post:
Respect the Source: Why Attribution is Non-Negotiable
In today’s information-rich world, credibility matters more than ever.
Attribution of copyright material isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a cornerstone of transparency, trust, ethical practice, and legal requirement.
When we clearly acknowledge where information comes from, we strengthen both our work and the community we serve.
👉 Read the full blog here: https://making-an-impact.org/2026/03/25/respect-the-source-why-attribution-is-non-negotiable/
At Making An Impact, we believe that honoring the source isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Navigating the world of prescription medications can be challenging, even for those with health insurance. Understanding how to save on prescriptions is crucial for managing costs effectively.

12/22/2025

Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility
Community resource guides don’t create themselves. They require real, consistent work to build, enhance, and maintain. Behind every trusted, up-to-date guide is extensive research, verification, community collaboration, and ongoing maintenance.
As more organizations rely on Making An Impact’s Community Connections Basic Needs Resource Guide, we’re taking an important step to ensure sustainability and proper attribution of this work.
Effective January 2026, our guide will no longer be distributed free of charge without one of the following:
✔️ Partner recognition
✔️ Impact documentation (testimonial or case example)
✔️ Direct purchase
This isn’t about limiting access—it’s about protecting the integrity of shared community tools and ensuring they remain accurate, available, and sustainable for everyone who relies on them.
When we acknowledge the sources that power our work, we strengthen the entire nonprofit ecosystem.
To learn more about our Resource Use Policy, CLICK the link below:
https://making-an-impact.org/resource-use-policy/

12/16/2025

Grateful to attend the SRQ Magazine Giving Coast Luncheon and to place Making An Impact’s wishes on the Giving Tree—helping connect neighbors to essential resources across our community. 💙🌱

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday, and our community needs you.
With the economic downturn, more people than ever are turning to our Basic Needs Resource Guide to find essential services—food, housing, medical care, and workforce support.
To keep this trusted tool free and accessible, we need your help.
💙 A meaningful gift today lightens the burden for families
💙 Facilitates workforce readiness
💙 Strengthens our entire community
Make your Giving Tuesday gift: https://making-an-impact.org/donation/


Making An Impact is a 501 (c)(3) charitable nonprofit with 100% of proceeds going directly to our organization and tax-deductible donations as allowed by law. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within Florida 1-800-435-7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Registration number CH 62499

09/16/2025

From Founder to Future
Carrying the Mission Forward
Nearly six years ago, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Linda Hoy, a retired CPA, and I pooled our personal resources to launch Making An Impact. Our vision was simple but bold: to help those who help others find local resources that meet basic needs. We believed that while no single agency could meet every need, a trusted resource guide could empower staff to redirect clients to the right organizations.
In the early days, some funders questioned whether this B2B approach to nonprofits was necessary or duplicative. But local nonprofits, faith-based groups, and law enforcement quickly recognized the gap we were filling, the value we offered, and how our guides complemented existing tools. Demand skyrocketed.
Since then, we’ve expanded our offerings to include the Disaster Recovery and Pharmacy Discount Guides, all of which are available in print, online, and in multiple languages. Today, more than 8,000 printed Basic Needs Resource Guides are in circulation, with thousands more accessed online. Seeing our work become one of Sarasota and Manatee’s most trusted and widely used tools has been deeply gratifying.
For six years, I’ve poured my time, energy, and heart into this mission. While it hasn’t always been easy, it has been worthwhile. As I step off the board and pass the baton to our first employee and new Executive Director, I do so with confidence. Making An Impact is not about one person—it’s about the mission. And that mission will carry on, stronger than ever.
# Sarasota

08/13/2025

Congrats Renee Eppard Lifetime of Leadership Award recpient and to all three 2025 Leadership Award winners recognized by Sarasota Chamber of Commerce .