Advancement News

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to share our gratitude for the generosity of this community. This Fall, 260 families helped make history on Shorecrest Giving Day by raising over $306,000 — surpassing prior institutional giving records and the year’s Giving Day goal of $250,000. We appreciate those who have given earlier than ever for the immediate impact each gift has made for each student this year.

It is also relevant to share the importance of end-of-year giving. These resources will help create a foundation for success as we enter into our centennial year. Gifts made before December 31 will have immediate impact in January and will be used to support the people and programs at Shorecrest. To join this community endeavor by making a gift, visit www.shorecrest.org/give.

The Who, Why and When of Giving to the Shorecrest Fund:

WHO donates to the Shorecrest Fund?

In addition to the dedicated parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends of the school who donate each year, nearly 100% of faculty and staff make a donation annually.

WHY does Shorecrest seek resources beyond tuition?

Like most independent schools, Shorecrest does not receive federal or state funding. A gap exists between the cost of tuition and the true cost of a Shorecrest education. That is why we rely on philanthropic support to deliver a transformative educational experience for our students.

WHEN should I make a donation?

As soon as possible! All gifts to the Shorecrest Fund must be spent within the same school year they are raised. The earlier these funds are available for the school to spend, the more immediate an impact these gifts will make for students this year.

Introducing the Pyxis Fund

Shorecrest is proud to announce the creation of the Pyxis Fund, an endowed fund that provides resources to help Shorecrest Middle Schoolers navigate adolescence in the 21st century. Founded by a generous anonymous donor, Pyxis has already made an impact on Shorecrest Middle Schoolers this school year by funding a partnership with The Social Institute.

Learn more

Contributing Chargers

Shorecrest’s Mission is augmented by the generosity of our parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who support the school philanthropically or by effecting change locally, globally or right here at Shorecrest. We call these community members Contributing Chargers. This week we are pleased to spotlight Lower School parents Brittany and Jon Decker.

Contributing Chargers: Decker Family
11/10/2022
by: Olivia Segalman, Associate Director of Advancement for Community Engagement and Events

This week we are pleased to spotlight Brittany and Jon Decker, Lower School parents of Ally '31 and Bailey '31. Since joining the community in 2020, Brittany has gone above and beyond to support Shorecrest by volunteering her time as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Girls on the Run Coach, and Shorecrest Community Association (SCA) Co-Secretary.
Read More

Grandparent Council News

Lunch & Tour of the Henry B. Plant Museum
11/15/2022
Olivia Segalman, Associate Director of Advancement for Community Engagement and Events

Shorecrest Grandparents are invited to lunch on campus and a tour of the Henry B. Plant Museum on Wednesday, December 7 beginning at 11am.
Read More

Shorecrest Community Sponsors

Do you own or work for a business that would make a good partner for the Shorecrest Community Sponsors program? We would love to hear from you!

The Shorecrest Community Sponsors Program is designed to connect businesses in the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Area with opportunities meaningful to their goals. Whether sponsoring Athletics, a program such as Visual and Performing Arts, or a Signature Event; Community Sponsors receive recognition, appreciation and patrons!

Set your business apart from the rest and be seen by our school community!

To inquire about available opportunities or to co-create one of your own, please contact Sarah Heibein, Senior Giving Specialist, Community Partnerships: sheibein@shorecrest.org or 727-456-7533.

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Advancement Office Team

List of 5 members.

Michael Gillis

Director of Advancement

727-456-7514

Bio
Michael Gillis, his wife Rosalind and their two daughters, moved from NYC to allow Michael to become the Director of Advancement in 2017. Following commencement from Choate Rosemary Hall, Michael spent a year studying at The Goethe Institute in Salzburg, Austria. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociolinguistics and German from the University of Vermont, and a Fundraising School Certificate at the Lily School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Mr. Gillis spent the first portion of his career as a producer and director with companies including Fox Home Entertainment, Sony Studios, Columbia Tristar and GMG, Inc. In recent years, he has directed the major gifts program at North County School and a capital campaign for Manhattan Country School. The Gillises have two daughters at Shorecrest, Luna '26 and Sada '28.
Laina Bennett Coburn

Associate Director of Advancement for Shorecrest Fund & Giving Programs

727-522-2111 x 178

Bio
Laina Bennett Coburn is originally from Palm Harbor, and returned to the Tampa Bay Area after previously living in Minneapolis and Atlanta. She joined Shorecrest after working most recently as a fundraiser for The Atlanta Opera. Mrs. Coburn has experience working in non-profit arts organizations, broadcast media and database management. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College where she majored in music, management and media studies.
Sarah Heibein

Sr. Giving Specialist

Bio
Sarah brings over 15 years of experience in fundraising and event management to her role as Senior Giving Specialist, Community Partnerships in the Office of Advancement. Most recently, for the past six years she was a key member of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, where connections to the community were fostered with a keen interest for corporate partnerships, major gifts and grant management. Sarah believes in a multi-faceted approach to creating a culture of philanthropy within any organization.

Mrs. Heibein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sarah and her family are newly minted residents of St. Petersburg, having moved from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She has had the opportunity to call many international locations home and cannot wait to begin a new chapter in Florida. Her two children are enrolled in The Experiential School and she is delighted to be both a new colleague and parent to the Shorecrest community.
Olivia Segalman

Associate Director of Advancement for Community Engagement & Events

Bio
Olivia Segalman joined the Shorecrest Advancement Office in the summer of 2019. A native of Baltimore, MD, she has lived in Tampa, FL, for the past nine years after attending the University of Tampa, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She also holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Olivia came to Shorecrest from Tampa Preparatory School where she served as the Communications Coordinator.
Clark Sukaratana

Stewardship Specialist – Donor & Information Services

Bio
Clark Sukaratana came to Shorecrest as a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Finance and master's degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. His recent experience includes working with the Boys and Girls Club of Athens and UGA HEROs, and has spent his summers coaching soccer in his hometown of Hinesville, Georgia.

New-to-Shorecrest Family Check-in

All First-Year Families are invited to meet with Alvanita Hope, Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid, along with other key administrators to openly discuss their Shorecrest onboarding experience thus far.

Families should come prepared to talk about their goals/intended outcomes for their student(s), any challenges they've faced while adjusting to Shorecrest, and the ways in which they would like to become involved within the community.