Entrepreneurs Greg and Donna Daniels of Cudjoe Key embody the significance of estate planning, regardless of one’s age. In 2021, these individuals, both in their 50s, made a commitment to create a legacy by establishing the Gregory and Donna Daniels Memorial Scholarship at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys.
The couple manages two successful businesses. In 2018, they ventured into the world of apiculture with Cudjoe Bee, a thriving honey business. They personally engage with consumers and actively participate in farmer’s markets, sharing their specialty honey. Recognizing a sudden void in the Florida Keys’ coffee roasting community, the couple embarked on a new venture, Latitude 24 Coffee Co. With the guidance of a seasoned master coffee roaster, the two honed their roasting skills over several months before unveiling their craft to the market. Their specialty lies in roasting organic, Fair Trade coffees sourced from various corners of the world, right here in the Keys.
Married since September 2012, they hail from the chilly Northeast. In 2010, Donna Daniels found her way to the Florida Keys, where she spent a decade as an accountant at Keys Federal Credit Union. Greg Daniels, a native of Vermilion, Ohio, spent many years in Key West before meeting Donna, and studied marine propulsion technology at the College of the Florida Keys. He is also a charter boat captain and works remotely as a telecommunications construction coordinator.
Donna is a board member of Hometown, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for candidate and election information, serving the voting community of Key West and Monroe County. She is also on the board of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce.
Their estate gift will fund scholarships for graduating seniors in the Keys, enabling them to enroll in accredited vocational or trade programs. Greg and Donna say they believe that local youth pursuing trades like auto mechanics should receive the same support as those pursuing traditional four-year degrees.
“We’ve chosen to make charitable contributions through our estate since we don’t have children,” they said. The couple selected the Community Foundation to manage their scholarship because of its reputation as a permanent institution that will uphold their wishes.
The Danielses now fully enjoy the benefits of being members of the Legacy Society of the Community Foundation, without having to donate a single dollar during their lifetimes. They can prioritize investing in their businesses and enjoying travel. However, thanks to the Community Foundation’s Jean Stearns Legacy Society Challenge, their generosity is having an impact in the Keys today. Their documented gift for the Legacy Challenge has unlocked an immediate $2,500 donation to their Gregory and Donna Daniels Scholarship Fund. More information is at cffk.org/legacychallenge.
