May 4, 2026 | Sarasota, FL. – Selby Gardens is honored to announce the continuation of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation envisions a world in which all individuals have an opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve success. It carries forward the legacy of its namesake, the late Sarasota-area philanthropist whose generosity made a lasting impact on countless organizations and charitable initiatives.
The scholarship creates a pathway to effective leadership in both the business and nonprofit sectors by offering mentorship, opportunities to observe leadership in action, and financial support. It is awarded to high-achieving juniors or seniors in the greater Sarasota region who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Additionally, the scholarship will be awarded in honor of and in partnership with a distinguished leader from the Sarasota community. That recognition has been bestowed upon Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer O. Rominiecki, who served as the scholarship’s inaugural mentor during the 2024 award cycle and has continued in that role for the 2025 and now 2026 cycles.
The recipient of the 2025 Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship was Amelia Swiecki of Sarasota, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with minors in biology, film, and Spanish, at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“Investing time in mentoring emerging leaders is incredibly important,” said Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens. “I’m honored to be part of the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship and look forward to helping guide and inspire students as they pursue meaningful paths in both business and the nonprofit world,” shared Jennifer O. Rominiecki, President and CEO of Selby Gardens.
The scholarship will be managed by Selby Gardens with an award amount of $15,000. The application, developed by Selby Gardens, includes an opportunity for applicants to share their connection with the mission of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
“Virginia’s legacy continues to guide our giving, grounding it in the causes she, and we, believe in and trust most,” said lead Toulmin Trustee William S. Villafranco. “Selby Gardens stands firmly among them.” He added, “Virginia impressed upon me four fundamental pillars of trust—competency, consistency, integrity, and compassion—values that matter both individually and collectively. Jennifer exemplifies each of these qualities through her leadership, making her an outstanding role model.”
The recipient of the 2026-27 scholarship will have the opportunity to engage in four mentoring sessions with Selby Gardens President & CEO, Jennifer Rominiecki, and other members of the leadership team. They will also be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee to observe Rominiecki in action, participate with local community, scientific, and business leaders, and receive a one-year membership to Selby Gardens.
Scholarship Criteria
- Undergraduate students who have a demonstrated interest in non-profit and/or business administration.
- Incoming junior or senior enrolled full-time at a college or university in the greater Sarasota area.
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.5
- Scholarship support may be used for qualified student expenses, including tuition, fees, housing, and course-related expenses such as books, supplies, and equipment
Scholarship and Mentoring Structure
- Recipient will receive four (4) structured mentoring sessions with Selby Gardens President & CEO Jennifer Rominiecki.
- Sessions will include a combination of one-on-one mentorship and immersive leadership experiences Selby Gardens’ senior staff.
- Recipient will be appointed to Selby Gardens’ Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Invitations to select Selby Gardens events
- One-year membership to Selby Gardens
Key Dates and Timeline
- Application Deadline: June 15, 2026
- Finalist Notification: June 30, 2026
- Finalist Interviews with Selection of Committee Comprised of Selby Gardens Trustees and Former Scholarship Recipients: early July 2026
- Award Notification: July 15, 2026
- Award Amount: $15,000 (for the 2026-2027 academic year)
To apply to the Virginia B. Toulmin Leadership Scholarship visit Selby.org.
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About Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history. Established by forward-thinking women of their time, Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in the Osprey area of Sarasota County, Florida. The Downtown Sarasota campus on Sarasota Bay is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, and other tropical plants. There is a significant focus on botany, horticulture, education, historical preservation, and the environment. Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus features the world’s first net positive energy botanical garden complex, generating more energy than it consumes. The Historic Spanish Point campus is located less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay. One of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants and active archaeology that is interpreted for and open to the public, it celebrates an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is also accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Selby Gardens was selected for Time magazine’s annual list of the “World’s Greatest Places 2024.” For more information visit www.selby.org.