“This is an exciting yet bittersweet day for Bob and me,” said Ellie McCabe, chairman of the Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation, at a Luncheon and Legacies celebration at the John’s Island Club last Friday. “It is first and most importantly a celebration of philanthropy with a few of our treasured funding partners and valued colleagues, allowing us once again to recognize the amazing work you are doing for the betterment of our beloved community.”
The luncheon served a dual purpose: to announce the April 11 dissolution of the McCabe Foundation (see story in news), and to bequeath special gifts totaling $670,000 to support organizations holding a special place in their hearts.
“And as Bob and I step away from organized philanthropy, we are confident the roles we filled – that of convener, capacity builder and champions – are in very capable hands; yours and others like you,” said McCabe.
A grant awarded to the Environmental Learning Center will enable them to refurbish the existing outdoor gazebo and greenhouse structure for use with nature-based therapy programs, and train the programs’ staff and volunteers.
“This is huge for us,” said Molly Steinwald, ELC executive director. “This was a big vision that we had and your belief in our vision and being able to carry this out is enormous for our organization and also a great message to the community that we’re going in the right direction.”
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County will establish a Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Fund for Animal Welfare Training endowment to support professional development and staff training.
“The more training we have the better it is for our animals,” said Michael Mandel, HSVBIRC executive director, noting that they are working to make training the centerpiece of their culture. “So when the McCabe Foundation suggested a training development, it fit perfectly into what we were doing; we’re very excited about it.”
The Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation grant will go toward the VNA Hospice House Endowment Fund to support services provided at the hospice residence to anyone needing end-of-life care, regardless of their ability to pay.
“When the McCabes speak, people listen. And when the McCabes get engaged, others take note,” said Kerry Bartlett, VNA & Hospice vice president. “You are simply spectacular.”
Seed money was provided through the Indian River Community Foundation for an endowed fund to which others can contribute, The Fund for Better Mental Health in Indian River County, to support organizations, programs and projects aligned with the county’s mental-health continuum of care. Fund distribution will be determined by the Mental Health Collaborative governing board.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to say thank you for the work that you’ve done to start this effort,” said Jeff Pickering, IRCF President/CEO. “On behalf of the entire board of the Community Foundation, I want to say thank you very much for your vision, your foresight and most importantly for your generosity.”
“We are so thankful to Ellie and Bob McCabe for their continued support of mental-health providers and treatment in our community,” said Brett Hall, MHC executive director. “I’m here on behalf of the dozens of providers and thousands of people in this community that have been helped over these past decades because of your dedication, support and your passionate advocacy for the treatment of persons experiencing mental health issues.”
In upstate New York, where Bob McCabe was raised, a grant to the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg will fund a permanent new Sally James Farnham exhibit. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton will permanently endow a fund to support professional development, and the Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Professional Development Award will be given annually.
“Once again, I thank you for joining us today to celebrate the legacy of our family foundation and mark this point in history,” said McCabe. “Bob and I aren’t going anywhere so we respectfully request you to keep in touch. We know you will have plenty of good news to share.”
