Strategic planning process charting transition from all-volunteer working board to professionally staffed organization
As Sarasota County continues to grow and evolve, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) is expanding its capacity to ensure the region’s history remains part of the region’s future, the organization has announced.
“The 41-year-old nonprofit has adopted a new three-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening the organization and expanding its reach,” a news release explains. “The plan marks a significant shift for SAHP, including a move from an all-volunteer working board to a professionally staffed organization and the hiring of its first full-time executive director,” the release adds.
Erin DiFazio, SAHP’s first paid employee, “serves as managing director of the Sarasota Preservation Program (SP2), overseeing its low-cost revolving loan and preservation easement programs,” the release continues. “As SAHP expands its leadership team, the executive director will oversee organization-wide operations — including SP2 and SAHP’s core advocacy and education missions — and guide expanded programming and community impact,” the release points out.
“The strategic plan grew out of a months-long process that brought together board members, staff, preservationists, donors, volunteers and community partners,” the release notes. “Led by Christie Nolan of Mission Matters Consulting, the planning was supported by a $7,500 matching Capacity Building Grant awarded by the Edward K. Roberts Emerging Needs Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,” the release says. “The SAHP board formally adopted the plan on July 15,” it adds.
“Preserving our history is essential as Sarasota County continues to grow,” said Tom McArdle, SAHP secretary and treasurer, in the release. “This grant, and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s ongoing support, will help drive historic preservation efforts that are needed now more than ever,” he added.
The Community Foundation has supported SAHP’s preservation work for several years, awarding the organization $47,500 in grants since 2023, McArdle noted.
“As Sarasota continues to grow and change,” McArdle continued, “we have an opportunity to play a larger role in preservation, education and outreach. This plan gives us a clear path forward and positions us to make a greater impact,” he said in the release.
As SAHP begins putting the plan into action, the organization also is seeking new board members and volunteers to help with its work, the release points out. For more information, contact SAHP at sahp.mailbox@gmail.com or visit PreserveSrq.org.