Inspire Gala highlights philanthropy and collaboration
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County event celebrated collective impact.
Robert Colen, center, poses with the Frank Martin Hennessey Legacy Award for the Colen family with Lauren DeIorio, the President and Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, right, and Frank Hennessey, left, during the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County Inspire Gala at Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, May 1, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The fourth annual Inspire Gala, hosted by the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, brought together nonprofit leaders, donors and community members on May 1 at the Circle Square Cultural Center to celebrate philanthropy and collective impact across Marion County.
The evening focused on recognizing individuals and organizations whose service and giving have strengthened the community, while reinforcing a broader message about collaboration among local nonprofits.
“Tonight, we gather with a shared purpose — to celebrate the extraordinary work being done throughout our nonprofit community,” President & Executive Director Lauren Deiorio said in opening remarks, noting the gala was created to “shine a light on this collective impact.”
Throughout the program, speakers emphasized both the needs in Marion County and the role philanthropy plays in addressing them. One award presenter, Charisse Rivers of Zinnia Wealth Management, told attendees that if they took the position that money can’t buy happiness — “you just haven’t given away enough.”
Those honored during the evening were:
- Youth Philanthropist of The Year – Conleigh Abbott
- Emerging Nonprofit – Lotus Marion
- Nonprofit Board Member of The Year – Todd Panzer
- Nonprofit of The Year – Community Legal Services
- Corporate Partner of The Year – SECO Energy Foundation
- The Unsung Hero – John Renyhart
- Frank Martin Hennessey Legacy Award – Colen Family
- Luminary Award – Estate Planning Council of Marion County – Mark Camp
Recognizing service and leadership
The message echoed by Todd Panzar, honored as nonprofit board member of the year, was a sentiment that often is attributed to Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Panzar was honored for his leadership and advocacy in supporting early learning initiatives in Marion County.
Panzar, reflecting on the role of nonprofit leadership, emphasized the importance of steady commitment and community focus.
“This work is about showing up, listening and helping organizations stay true to their mission,” he said.
The gala culminated with the presentation of the Frank Martin Hennessy Legacy Award to the Colen family, which built the On Top of the World community, among others, and was recognized for decades of philanthropy and community-building efforts.
Accepting on behalf of the family, Robert Colen said the recognition reflects a long-held belief in responsibility to others.
“We have never been a family that has sought recognition for serving the community,” Colen said. “It has always been part of our values to try to do what is right, because we believe that we have a responsibility to the world around us.”
He added that the family’s guiding philosophy remains unchanged across generations: “We affect the lives of people, and we affect their lives for good.”
A culture of giving
Frank Hennessy, founder of the Community Foundation, also reflected on the importance of philanthropy in Marion County, both through structured giving and personal acts of generosity.
“At the end of the day, it’s about giving back,” Hennessy said, noting his own recent contribution. “I ended up giving $10,000… I feel like a new man.”
Organizers highlighted that the gala’s impact extends beyond a single evening, with proceeds supporting nonprofit programming and resources throughout the year.
The event also underscored the collaborative network that exists among local organizations —where a single point of contact for someone in need can connect them to a wide range of services, from housing and healthcare to education and financial support.
Community impact
Award recipients spanned a wide range of categories, including youth philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, corporate partnership and emerging nonprofit services. Each honoree represented a different facet of Marion County’s nonprofit ecosystem.
As the evening concluded, organizers encouraged attendees to stay engaged and continue supporting local initiatives, emphasizing that sustained community involvement is essential to meeting growing needs.
“Our community is stronger because of the tireless work they do every day,” organizers said.
The Inspire Gala continues to serve as both a celebration and a call to action — reminding attendees that meaningful change depends not only on recognition, but on continued generosity and shared responsibility.
To learn more, go to ocalafoundation.org
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