Sandra Diamond Receives Spirit of Philanthropy Award

Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) proudly recognizes former Board Member Sandra Diamond for receiving the “Spirit of Philanthropy” Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Tampa Bay Chapter on Nov. 15 at the organization’s National Philanthropy Day breakfast. The “Spirit of Philanthropy” is presented to an individual, group or family that has recognized a charitable need and developed a unique approach to advancing philanthropy in the community.

The AFP Tampa Chapter has honored leadership in philanthropy in Tampa Bay through its annual awards program since 1989. These awards celebrate the outstanding contribution of time, leadership and financial support of a special group of community members and organizations who set new benchmarks of excellence in the acts of giving and volunteering.

“Sandra Diamond truly embodies the ‘Spirit of Philanthropy,’” said Duggan Cooley, Pinellas Community Foundation CEO. “Sandra served on our organization’s Board of Governors for almost 25 years. Her knowledge of the community helped direct millions of dollars in grant funds to Pinellas nonprofits, and her contributions to PCF and the entire community are immeasurable.”

Sandra Diamond is a well-known estate planning attorney in Pinellas County. Her experience in estate planning helps her clients fulfill their charitable wishes. Practicing law in Pinellas for 35 years, Diamond’s extensive knowledge of the community proved an asset to Pinellas Community Foundation.

Diamond has served as a rotating member of the PCF board of governors since 1991. In 2019, the organization honored Diamond as the recipient of the first Pinellas Community Foundation INSPIRE Award for her dedication to strengthening the community by generously giving of herself and assisting her clients in fulfilling their philanthropic passions. Diamond sets a standard for future generations of attorneys, leaders and philanthropists.

Civic-minded parents introduced Diamond to community service when she was young. Her father was a U.S. Congressman for Florida, and public service became her family’s way of life. The need for service was amplified early in her career as an attorney. Diamond sat on the board of Gulfcoast Legal Services in St. Petersburg. It was an eye-opening experience, giving her a window into the needs of the community, and all of the unmet legal needs of the underserved.

From that point on, Diamond along with her late husband, Dr. Frank Diamond, made community leadership the central focus of their lives. It’s now come full circle – their son Ben, also an attorney, serves as a Representative in the Florida House.

Diamond consistently and generously gives her time, talents and passion to multiple boards of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH). In 2008, the Diamonds received the William Belcher Award for their service to the hospital and their advocacy for children’s healthcare. Today, Diamond is chair of the JHACH Board of Trustees, leading the hospital through one of its most challenging times.

Diamond volunteers in countless ways with the Florida Bar, Pinellas Estate Planning Council and the Clearwater Bar. She has won many awards for her contributions to the law field, including the Red Cross Award for training nonprofits in planned giving.