|
The collective giving circle has now granted a total of $2.3 million in nine years JACKSONVILLE, Florida – June 5, 2024 – The Beaches Community Fund, an initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, recently made more than $290,000 in grants to 18 nonprofits that address critical needs facing their Beaches-area neighbors. This collective giving circle, which has grown to 35 families who each contribute annually to the grants pool, has now invested more than $2.3 million in grants to nonprofits since the Fund began making annual grants in 2015. “This year’s grants were the result of a rigorous and thoughtful decision-making process from our grants committee, and we would like to congratulate all of the nonprofits receiving funding,” said Kimmie Winston, a member of the Beaches Community Fund (BCF). “We are grateful to the donors at the Beach whose generosity is helping to meet the needs of our neighbors.” The BCF continued its focus supporting communities from Mayport to Guana through financial and food assistance, mental health support, services to youth and students, as well as essential care for older adults. BCF members again supported capacity building of local nonprofits through a partnership with the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. As in years past, the Beaches Community Fund (BCF) received many strong applications for support, and was pleased to make substantial investments to improve the quality of life for all Beaches—area residents. The following grants were awarded: - Beaches Habitat for Humanity — $20,000 to support the expansion of their senior repair program for deserving beaches Veterans and will support their mortgage relief program for Beaches Habitat homeowners.
- BEAM (Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) — $40,000 to provide food and emergency financial assistance to anyone living in the 32233 ZIP code.
- Betty Griffin Center/Safety Shelter of St. Johns County — $3,000 to support domestic and sexual violence prevention at Ponte Vedra Beach High School.
- Blessings in a Backpack — $25,000 to provide weekend food packs to students at Seabreeze Elementary.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida — $10,000 to support Project Learn for the Jordan Park Club in Atlantic Beach.
- City Year Jacksonville — $30,000 to support academic intervention, emotional mentorship, and attendance coaching for students at Mayport Elementary School.
- Communities In Schools of Jacksonville — $20,000 to continue the Student Enrichment Program at Mayport Middle School, which entails weekly lunch & learn sessions with students, academic support, attendance monitoring, social—emotional support, basic needs, and more.
- Elderly Housing Management Corporation — $500 to provide transportation services for residents.
- Episcopal Children's Services — $18,685 to support the STEAM Ahead with Outdoor Learning project, which provides a safe and learning—rich environment for the Rhoda Martin Head Start/Early Head Start Center.
- Feeding Northeast Florida/Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida, Inc. — $30,000 to ensure nutritious food is purchased to supplement decreased retail donations while also providing healthier options for neighbors at the Beaches facing food insecurity.
- Ferst Readers of Jax Beach — $4,200 to send age-appropriate books and monthly parent engagement newsletters to children from birth to age 5.
- Here Tomorrow — $10,000 to provide 100 teens with therapy from licensed providers, and parents with the relief of no—cost care.
- Mission House — $20,000 to support a part—time Crisis Care Intake Coordinator position and for the purchase of food for the Crisis Care program.
- Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida — $19,000 to support the Eleanor Ashby Beaches Leadership Series and customized consulting services for Beaches nonprofits.
- PossAbilities Plus, Inc — $4,500 to provide teens with disabilities with job training and 1:1 support coaching in retail, general maintenance, food service, and horticulture.
- St John's Emergency Assistance Ministry — $25,000 to provide food and emergency financial assistance to residents in the West Atlantic Beach/Mayport area during times of need.
- St Vincent De Paul Beaches — $3,000 to provide emergency assistance and compassionate support to neighbors in crisis, including housing, utility payments, gently used furniture, food gift cards, gas cards, vouchers for clothing, and holiday meals.
- The Playgarden, Inc. — $10,000 to support the newborn touch program, which supports families care for babies and children from pregnancy to preschool.
About The Beaches Community Fund The Beaches Community Fund was established in 2015 by charitable Beaches-area families to address concerns about the issues affecting their neighbors between Mayport and Guana. Beaches Community Fund participants pool their charitable dollars to tackle community issues such as transportation to jobs, food, medical care, and essential services; early childhood literacy and development; and affordable housing. They also encourage Beaches nonprofits to grow stronger and collaborate. To learn more: www.jaxcf.org/beaches or contact Kacie Smyth, Director of Development, at ksmyth@jaxcf.org or 904-356-4483. About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (www.jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now celebrating its 60th year, the Foundation manages more than $650 million in assets as of 12/31/2023 and has made more than $750 million in grants since inception. ### Contact: Stephanie Garry Garfunkel VP, Strategic Communications 904—356—4483 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org
|