Textbook author, educator and philanthropist Elaine Nicpon Marieb recently pledged $10 million to Florida Gulf Coast University’s College of Health Professions and Social Work. In honor of the gift, the college will be renamed the Elaine Nicpon Marieb College of Health & Human Services. The commitment is the single largest gift from an individual in the history of the university's foundation.

The Patterson Foundation recently provided a $200,000 matching gift to its international partner NetHope’s mission to install Wi-Fi hotspots in refugee camps throughout Greece, Serbia and Slovenia, catalyzing an additional $400,000 investment. Since October 2015, the NetHope-led Syrian Refugee Connectivity Alliance has installed Wi-Fi networks in 76 camps, connecting an estimated 500,000 people.

The Florida Philanthropic Network recently awarded a $50,000 grant to a network of organizations that aims to help more Sarasota County students pursue education and training beyond high school after the network raised a combined $62,500 in matching funds. The local initiative, known as Talent4Tomorrow, will use the new funding to improve college access and completion rates for Sarasota youth.

The Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation recently donated $30,000 to help the Mental Health Community Centers purchase a 15-passenger van. The van is used daily to take the centers' clients to events and functions as part of their recovery.

Goodwill Manasota recently received a $5,000 grant from Publix Super Markets Charities to help support the salary of a GoodPartner Coach. This is the fifth year that Goodwill has received funding from Publix for the program. A GoodPartner Coach provides individuals and families with comprehensive case management that includes personal and career counseling, life and work coaching and more.

On Feb. 24, the Sarasota YMCA Safe Children Coalition held a celebration for Newtown community member Jackie Swain, who has served as a foster parent for over 40 years. Swain has fostered more than 100 children, most of whom were teenagers.

Students at Bradenton's Daughtey Elementary all received a free book to take home as part of World Book Day on March 2, thanks to the Manatee YMCA. The school handed out more than 1,000 books that were collected during the YMCA's third annual holiday book drive.

The inaugural class of Leadership North Port will refurbish the Teen Center at the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club in order to support and enhance existing programs aimed at keeping teens active and engaged.

Sarasota Orthopedic Associates recently created the SOA Woof Pack, a team of walkers who will support Southeastern Guide Dogs during its upcoming walkathon on Saturday, March 18, at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Sarasota Orthopedic Associates is also a cash sponsor of the walkathon.

The Women’s Resource Center is inviting women who are at least 21 years old and full-time residents of Sarasota County to submit an application for the organization's 2017 scholarship. Applicants must have been out of high school for more than four years, hold a high school diploma or a GED equivalent and be pursuing an undergraduate degree or certification program at a vocational, two-year or four-year institution. They also need to demonstrate financial need. Download a copy here.