Sarah Herrick, 33

Occupation: Program Director, Mount Dora Community Trust – Program Director

What I do: Oversee all operations for the foundation, design and implement philanthropic programs and initiatives to maximize community impact, develop partnerships with nonprofits to build capacity for their programs, oversee and manage our grant program and the scholarship program, maintain donor relationships and manage all of the software/IT/security/process building for electronic fund and grant management.

How I got started: I always knew I wanted to work in the philanthropic sector and do my best to make a positive difference in the world since I was a child and my mom would take me to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at the Anthony House, a local shelter for homelessness. We were always very involved with volunteering for the various festivals and activities in town. I graduated with my bachelor’s in social science and public administration, with a focus in nonprofit management, in 2013 from FSU. After moving home from Tallahassee, marrying my high school sweetheart and having our first child – I happened to be at a salon one afternoon when another customer came in asking the stylist if she knew anyone who would want to interview for a position with the Mount Dora Community Trust. After discussing for a bit and learning more about the foundation, I knew it was a perfect fit. Mount Dora is my hometown and philanthropy is my passion, and MDCT is both of those. I started at MDCT in 2015 as an executive assistant (and was one of only two employees at the time). I then became the Grant & Scholarship Manager in 2018, and as of 2022 am now the Program Director. We now have four employees, many more active initiatives, and our assets under management have doubled since 2015.

I’m passionate about the Mount Dora Community Trust because: There are many things that need to change and improve in our world. People suffer every single day for a multitude of ongoing problems; from poverty and food insecurity, to terminal illnesses and lack of medical support, to addiction and mental illnesses. I want to use my life to help make changes in a positive way and support those who are underserved.

My biggest professional accomplishment so far: I would say it was finishing my master’s degree (MBA) while having three children under the age of 6 and a full-time job. It was a long and hard three years with a lot of late nights and early mornings. My biggest accomplishment in my job role with MDCT is our Giving Week initiative. I went to a National Conference on Philanthropy many years ago and learned about a match day contest for Giving Tuesday held by another foundation. I decided I wanted to implement that here in Lake County. We chose 30 local charities to compete for matching grant dollars from us. People could go to our (MDCT) website during that week and choose which of the 30 charities they wanted to support with a donation, and the organizations with the most donations at the end of the week won grant money (1st – 4^th place). The charities also got all of the donations from their supporters, whether they won or not. The contest is now in its fifth year, and to date we have given $1.3 million to 45 different nonprofits.

When I’m not working at the Foundation: I enjoy boating, camping, going to the beach, fishing and scalloping and just spending time with my amazing husband and three beautiful babies!

My first job: My first job was at Sunshine Mountain Bakery in downtown Mount Dora in 2005. I was 14.

My local mentor: I really look up to Crissy Stile. I came to know her well when she joined MDCT’s board as the Mayor of Mount Dora. She is a successful business owner, actively involved in public service in MANY areas, gives back to the community without reservation, and holds true to her values and beliefs in the face of dissention. Crissy is authentically herself in every room, to every audience, without feeling the need to be duplicitous for political appeal. She is also the only elected official I’ve met that should be a comedian in her spare time. She will make the whole room belly laugh multiple times in every meeting – even City Council meetings! I hope to also bring that same joy and sincerity to others.

The best advice I ever received:

• Always cultivate perseverance – never give up on a goal no matter the roadblocks.
• Keep your promises. Make it a character trait, people will remember you for it.
• The average millionaire has six sources of income.
• Lastly, no one is going to save you but YOU.

Fun Fact: I’m a big Swiftie and attended the Eras Tour concert in Miami on October 19, 2024!

If I had $1 million to give away: I would support single mothers. I grew up with a single mom who was a warrior and completely on her own. I saw firsthand how hard it is and how little resources are available. A two-income family is a high privilege that not everyone is blessed with. Things like affordable childcare, affordable housing, home repair, legal help, medical/dental care, financial advice, etc. are all huge obstacles and often unattainable for a woman working full-time and raising children completely alone. There are not enough resources to support moms.

Life after 40: I hope to someday soon open my own consulting business in the philanthropic sector to assist other leaders and champions build impactful programs, in addition to continuing with MDCT and building the foundation even further. At the end of the day, I just hope to be successful in my career and be able to say I know 100% that I made a difference in the world for the better. Also, relaxing with my husband in our (someday) forever home while sipping coffee and watching our babies grow into beautiful kind humans!