One Bonita Bay 2024 Impact Study

One Bonita Bay 2 0 2 4

I M P A C T

S T U D Y

Bonita Bay is pleased and excited to introduce the “One Bonita Bay Impact Study”, an initiative that encompasses the Bonita Bay Community Association, the Bonita Bay Club, and the Marina as well as the residents who live here.

The purpose of the study was to capture and communicate the impact Bonita Bay has on the surrounding community through a focus on three broad categories:

Environmental

Philanthropic

Financial

The findings of the Impact Study proved to be incredibly significant and documents how Bonita Bay functions as a pillar of economic vitality in Southwest Florida both locally and regionally. One of the main attributes of what drives this impact stems directly from the Bonita Bay residents - individuals who care deeply about their community through environmental stewardship and inspiring others to make a difference. By working together, the residents continuously put generosity and compassion into action for the betterment of all.

As the project team progressed through the data gathering stage, it was clear that many of the findings would be understated. For example, many charities shared how Bonita Bay residents are “huge contributors and/or supporters”, but the charities do not document or track the information. Another example is the financial impact data where the sales taxes paid by Bonita Bay for goods and services is not included.

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One Bonita Bay 2024 Impact Study Data Summary Environmental

2023 Expenditure

2024 Expenditure

Wetland and Lake Preservation

$4,178

$106,583

Swales, Storm Water and Basin Management

$11,893

$112,792

Natural Areas Invasive Plant/Tree Remediation

$125,596

$355,174

Landscape and Pathways

$992,646

$892,240

Invasive Species Remediation

$63,000

$78,750

Total

$1,197,313

$1,545,539

2023 Donations

Cumulative To Date

United Way

$1,200,000

$20,000,000

Habitat for Humanity

$778,200

$5,700,000

Lee Health Cancer Institute

$500,000

$2,500,000

Veterans Council

In Cumulative To Date

$2,000,000

Employee Hurricane Relief Fund

In Cumulative To Date

$940,000

New Horizons

$300,000

$740,400

Guadalupe

$203,250

$343,725

Harry Chapin Food Bank

$172,300

Unknown

YMCA

$304,000

Unknown

Literacy Council and Lee County Public Schools

$142,000

Unknown

Salvation Army

$22,150

Unknown

Café of Life

$35,000

Unknown

$3,656,900

$32,194,125

Philanthropic

Total

Financial

2023 Spend

One Bonita Bay Operating Budgets

$62,335,100

Single Family Neighborhood Budgets

$44,433,400

Real Estate Taxes (Estimated)

$39,236,000

Neighborhood HOA Budgets

$39,241,500

Total

$185,246,000

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Environmental

Protecting and Preserving Our Natural Environment Every year, Bonita Bay makes substantial investments in preservation programs. In 2023, over $1 million was allocated to various environmental initiatives. Pathway investments help manage runoff, prevent flooding, and maintain the health of natural habitats.

Over $2.5 Million Dollars Allocated to Environmental Initiatives Wetland and Lake Preservation 2023 $4,178

$106,583

2024

Swales, Stormwater & Basin Management 2023

$11,893 $112,792

2024

Natural Areas Invasive Plant/Tree Remediation $125,596

2023

$355,174

2024

Landscape and Pathways $992,646

2023

$892,240

2024

Invasive Species Remediation 2023

$63,000

2024

$78,750

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The Macias Wildlife Society The Bonita Bay community honors the legacy of resident and wildlife photographer Anne Macias through the non-profit, Macias Wildlife Society (MWS), by carrying on Anne’s mission of wildlife educational outreach and research. Programs on birds, ecosystems, butterflies, and other wildlife are presented by MWS members to Bonita Bay residents.

College of Education

The Macias Wildlife Partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University Spans More Than Two Decades

150 FGCU College of Education students visit Bonita Bay’s Estero Bay Park annually.

These programs benefit over 2,000 FGCU future teachers and more than 7,000 elementary students.

College of Biological Sciences As a research sponsor for undergraduate and graduate students, field research is conducted in Bonita Bay to help preserve and protect our birds and wildlife.

Service-Learning Program As a registered Service-Learning partner, opportunities are provided to students who need to complete their mandatory 80 hours of volunteer work.

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Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Water School

The Bonita Bay Community Association funded a Water Quality Study with the FGCU Water School.

•

•

The study included Bonita Bay's 40 community lakes with a focus on improving water resource management and conservation for Southwest Florida's aquatic ecosystems.

The study results are being used as a baseline for understanding the changes that might be occurring in our lakes.

Athletics • • •

We are a yearly participant at the Night at the Nest fundraiser.

We have hosted the Bonita Bay Classic Collegiate Tennis Tournament since 2018.

We have provided multiple scholarships.

Research Studies

We invest in collaborative research to determine whether there is a correlation between certain invasive species and the harboring of distinct types of parasitic organisms in their system.

Bonita Bay and Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Several Bonita Bay residents are volunteers at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary as boardwalk naturalists and education teachers for 2nd and 5th grade students. < Photo Credit: Sydney Walsh/Audubon Source: Tripadvisor

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Clean Marina Program

The Bonita Bay Marina is a proud participant in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Marina Program, addressing critical environmental issues such as: •

Habitat protection

•

Waste management and storm water control

Conservancy of Southwest Florida Bonita Bay Wildlife Rescue (Critter Couriers)

•

Spill prevention

•

Emergency preparedness

Joining forces with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in 2023, a group of Bonita Bay residents created the “Critter Courier” program, a network dedicated to helping injured birds, reptiles, and mammals obtain timely, lifesaving care at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. These injured animals receive the medical attention they need to recover, rehabilitate, and, if possible, return to their natural habitats. < Photo Credit: Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Success Story Critter Couriers received notification of a Red Shouldered Hawk caught in an open rat snap trap. Two Bonita Bay Critter Couriers arrived on the scene, boxed up the hawk (and the trap) and transported the hawk to the von Arx Hospital. Thankfully, due to their quick action, the hawk was saved, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild in Bonita Bay.

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Philanthropic Making Positive Changes

Bonita Bay residents believe that philanthropy is essential for creating positive change. Consistent with this belief, Bonita Bay residents have impacted thousands of lives over four decades.

35+

$32.2M

1k+

Charities Supported

Monetary Donations

Volunteer Hours

More than 35 charities, with major contributions to United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Lee Health, and FGCU.

Includes more than $13.5 million in donations within the past three years and over $3.6 million donated in 2023.

Thousands of hours contributed annually.

Bonita Bay’s Partnership with United Way For the past six consecutive years, residents have donated more than $1 million per year making Bonita Bay the only gated community in the United States to accomplish such a feat and earning a spot in the Million Dollar Circle of Excellence. Bonita Bay is recognized as the top community donor group, alongside Publix, the corporate representative in the Million Dollar Circle of Excellence Club.

Nearly $20 million in donations raised over the last 25 years.

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Bonita Bay’s Partnership with Habitat for Humanity Residents have been involved with Habitat for Humanity for the past 22 years as volunteers, through home sponsorship for 69 homes, and fundraising.

Because of these efforts, numerous families have moved into secure and affordable housing, with better stability and hope for the future.

•

In 2023, residents contributed more than $700,000.

•

As of 2014 when Habitat began tracking statistics, residents provided more than 29,000 volunteer hours to help construct homes.

Bonita Bay’s Partnership with Lee Health Foundation Cancer Infusion Suite Donations from the Kentucky Derby Gala, hosted by Bonita Bay Club, to the Lee Health Foundation have resulted in the Bonita Bay Cancer Infusion Suite and the Bonita Bay Pharmacy at the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic Bonita Health Center.

More than $2 million in total donations within the past three years.

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Bonita Bay Veterans Council Formed in 2015 by Bonita Bay residents, the Bonita Bay Veterans Council has touched the lives of over 3,500 veterans, providing essential support like rent, mortgage payments, and medical bills. With over $2.1 million donated in the past 10 years, more than 98.6% of every dollar received directly benefits veterans in need.

Over 600 Honorary Memberships Given to Veterans who are Bonita Bay Residents

“The reason why we have been able to do what we're doing is because of the club and the community association. The residents that live here are our supporters…If

anybody would've said 10 years ago when we helped with five vets in one month... we’d go from $25,000 to half a million dollars a year. That's amazing.”

Nick Romano, President Bonita Bay Veterans Council

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One Bonita Bay Hurricane Relief Fund In 2017, Bonita Bay residents created the Hurricane Relief Fund in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to assist employees from the Bonita Bay Community Association, Bonita Bay Club, the Marina, Sweetwater Lifestyles, and Backwater Jacks. Through the continued generosity of residents, just under $1 million has been donated to employees affected by hurricanes that have impacted our area.

Charities Supported by Bonita Bay Include:

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Financial

Investing in our Local Community

The economic impact of Bonita Bay is significant, not only through direct

employment and spending, but also through the ripple effects that benefit the

broader Southwest Florida region. The substantial payrolls, operating budgets, and real estate tax contributions underscore Bonita Bay’s role as an economic powerhouse in the area.

$185,246,000 $62,335,100 One Bonita Bay Operating Budgets

$5,894,000 Emergency Response

$16,442,000 Schools

$83,674,900 HOA & Single Family Neighborhood Budgets

$696,400 Water Management

$39,236,000 Real Estate Taxes (Estimated)

$2,475,000 Bonita Springs

$13,728,600 Lee County

$11.4M General $1.428M Libraries $900,600 Invasive Controls

Bonita Bay’s contributions play a crucial role in funding public services and infrastructure within Lee County and the City of Bonita Springs. With an

estimated $39 million contributed annually through real estate taxes, Bonita Bay supports essential services such as emergency response, schools, road maintenance, waste management, libraries, and parks, making up a significant portion of local revenue.

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Bonita Bay Premier Employer As a premier employer in the region, Bonita Bay supports a diverse workforce, currently employing 360 full-time, 153 part-time, and 233 seasonal employees across the Bonita Bay Community Association, Bonita Bay Club, and Marina.

The combined payroll totals over $30 million annually, providing essential income for local families and contributing to the area’s economic vitality.

360

Full-Time Employees

153

Part-Time Employees

233

Seasonal Employees

Over $30 million payroll annually

Supporting Local Businesses Bonita Bay’s economic impact extends beyond employment, as the community invests in local goods and services.

Significant revenue also generated into the local economy from Bonita Bay's expenditure on personal and professional services, goods, and sales tax.

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Conclusion As we look to the future, we are excited to continue finding creative ways to positively impact our community.

Stay In The Loop!

Watch our One Bonita Bay Impact Study Videos: • Main Documentary

• Financial Study

• Philanthropic Study

• Environmental Study

(239) 495-8111 | bbcacommunications@bbcahome.com Disclaimer: The charitable contributions were reported by the respective charities and the operating budgets were reported by the various HOAs and estimated for single family homes.

December 31, 2024