Thank You for Joining Us for Our 9th Annual Nonprofit Appreciation Day

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 9th Annual Nonprofit Appreciation Day, Better Teams, Bigger Impact, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Higgins Hall in Tampa. It was our largest Nonprofit Appreciation Day yet, bringing together nonprofit leaders from across Tampa Bay for a morning of learning, conversation and time to connect with peers.

This year’s program focused on the people who help nonprofits deliver on their missions, from staff and board members to donors and community partners. We’re grateful to our speakers and everyone who took time out of their morning to be part of the conversation.

Event Highlights

Honoring Excellence

We were honored to present the 2026 Community Impact Leader Award to the Gonzmart family in recognition of their commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Richard Gonzmart accepted the award on behalf of the family.

One of the morning’s highlights was surprising Sam A. Lazzara, CPA, with the 2026 Legacy Award. The award recognized Sam’s leadership, service and vision, and the lasting legacy he has created for our firm, our clients and our community. It was a special moment to thank Sam in front of the nonprofit community we had gathered to celebrate.

Panel Discussion

Building High-Performing Nonprofit Teams

Moderator
Charlie Imbergamo, MA, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, Nonprofit Leadership Center

Panelists

Kate Sawa, Chief Philanthropy Officer, BayCare Health System

Jay Stroman, Senior Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Affairs and Chief Executive Officer, USF Foundation

Matt Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

Drawing on their experience in health care, higher education and community service, the panelists shared how they recruit and retain staff, keep board members engaged and build lasting relationships with donors and community partners. They also discussed the roles of collaboration, technology and emerging leaders as the needs of nonprofit teams evolve.

Featured Presentation

Liz Wooten-Reschke, MPA, CGT, CDTLF, President and Chief Executive Officer of Connect For More, was this year’s featured speaker. Her presentation explored what it takes to build and sustain strong nonprofit teams around a shared mission.

Guests also enjoyed breakfast, a specialty coffee cart by Delightful Bean, and time to catch up with colleagues and meet others working across Tampa Bay’s nonprofit community.

Photos

Photos coming soon!

Recap Video

Videos coming soon!

Looking Ahead to Our 10th Annual Nonprofit Appreciation Day

We look forward to bringing Tampa Bay’s nonprofit community together again in 2027 for our 10th Annual Nonprofit Appreciation Day. Check our Events page for updates.

2025 Nonprofit Appreciation Day Recap

Last year’s event, Future in Focus, featured a panel on mentorship, a keynote on succession planning for executives and boards, and the presentation of the 2025 Community Impact Leader Award to the Pepin family. See the 2025 recap, photos and video.