Turtlegrass is on hold indefinitely. Here’s why. →
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) has published a wide-ranging look at our founder, Bob Coughlin - a GCF fundholder for 25 years, and the thinking behind his philanthropy across the two places he calls home: Cincinnati and The Bahamas.
The piece traces the arc from business to purpose. Bob built Paycor into an industry leader before retiring in 2019, and founded the Flying Pig Marathon, which has since raised more than $18 million for 300 charities. A personal mission statement he wrote in 2008 set the priorities that still guide him: youth development through experiential learning, environmental sustainability, support for individuals with disabilities, and "communities within reach."
"Getting to the place where we can give back is a success motivator. It's not about being in a position to buy things… I want to have an impact while I'm here and get joy from helping others in my communities."
Much of that work now happens in Exuma, where Bob and Jeanne became residents in 2021. In 2020 he founded Friends of Exuma, which backs conservation, youth development, cultural preservation and community relief. The Coughlin Foundation has also given more than $1 million to The Bahamas National Trust, the organization that manages the national park system of The Bahamas.
The piece is candid about why this matters now:
""The Bahamas is a petri dish of beauty and ecological diversity. But growth is immense there right now; bulldozers are prevalent. Conservation is important."
That conviction is exactly what Turtlegrass, and the fight to keep North Bay intact is built on.
