Brian and Kim Rist built a business that protects homes from a storm, and they have carried that philosophy into their philanthropy by protecting our community and being a catalyst of positive change for the families of Southwest Florida.
The Rist Family Foundation’s mission is to give back to its community, especially in critical areas like education, veterans, economic and social impact. Because of that generosity to many Southwest Florida institutions, including supporting the Harry Chapin Food Bank for the past decade, the Foundation recently won the Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Collier/Lee Chapter.
The Rist Family Foundation, founded by Brian and Kim Rist, won the award on National Philanthropy Day during the Change the World with a Giving Heart Gala held at The Club at the Strand in Naples, Florida. The award honors an individual with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, demonstrates outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose actions encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a community level.
Brian and Kim were nominated for the philanthropist of the year by the Harry Chapin Food Bank for generously supporting programs such as WINK feeds families hunger walk, March to a Million meals, and Harry Chapin’s food distribution programs. “Brian and Kim were instrumental in the success of our inaugural march to a Million Meals campaign,” Barbara Evans, Chief Development Officer, Harry Chapin Food Bank, said.
“We are looking to leave this earth a better place than when we got here. Kim and I are fortunate to be in a position where we can give back,” Brian and Kim Rist said. “I am just happy we can play a part in that process.”
Established in 2018, Brian and Kim formed their own family foundation to ensure that they can continue to enrich our Southwest Florida philanthropic community during their lifetime and beyond through Rist Family Foundation. Building on their philanthropic pillars of interest, they intend to work with schools in our community to develop scholarship programs to help children who are underserved succeed.
About The Rist Family Foundation
A 501(c)(3) organization, The Rist Family Foundation was established in 2018 by longtime Lee County philanthropists, Brian and Kim Rist. The foundation continues and expands Brian’s and Kim’s efforts to positively impact the Southwest Florida community through initiatives focusing on the support of local veterans and providing educational opportunities and resources to area students. Most recently, the Rists donated to the FGCU Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, FSW Respiratory Program, Valerie’s House, IMAG, as well as other organizations and causes.