The Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Florida created the Purpose 20 Awards to honor the contributions made to Alachua County by local for-profit businesses. These 20 businesses provide invaluable cash and in-kind donations while supporting the community with efforts in environmental sustainability, serving as role models for change within the community and encouraging staff members to give their time to local causes. All of this work often goes unrecognized. The Center for Leadership and Service hopes that by recognizing these businesses, we inspire others through their example and demonstrate that business is about more than making a profit — it is also about having a purpose to build a better community.
“Solar Impact is Gainesville, too!”
– Elaine Jacobson, vice president
Elaine and Barry Jacobson formed Solar Impact Inc. in 2007 with the primary goal to advance the adoption of renewable energy. For the past seven years, they also felt a responsibility to support the Alachua County community. Throughout the years, Solar Impact has sponsored several charitable events: Cinema Verde, Gainesville’s Environmental Film & Arts Festival; The Education Foundation of Alachua County; the Downtown Arts Festival; and UF Solar Gator in addition to spreading awareness of the importance of solar energy to schools and civic organizations around the community. Elaine and Barry think it best to lead by example when it comes to making serving in the community a priority to the Solar Impact team. They always inform their team about events they sponsor, and team members can always request sponsorship for organizations that appeal to them. In 2015, they will partner with Alachua Conservation Trust and also donate 500 trees for every residential solar system they install and 1,000 trees for every commercial solar system. Solar Impact believes that a business can only be as successful as the community in which it resides.