About Us

Who We Are

Stimulating Philanthropy to Build a Better Community

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

2023 Report to the Community: We’ve spent the last six decades working with fundholders to create dedicated assets for our region, so that our community’s generosity will last forever. But those resources are only part of our story. Read the report here.

Created by generous individuals, families, businesses and organizations, each of our more than 740 funds helps build stronger communities. We have helped countless generous individuals and families understand their financial options and maximize their charitable giving; in turn, thousands of area organizations have benefited from the more than $850 million in grants we have made since inception. Through this rich history and in partnership with our donors, we have acquired deep knowledge of critical local issues, and we embrace our ability to help lead positive change in our community. It is this legacy of civic and philanthropic leadership upon which we strive to build every day so that we can continue to do good work, forever.

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity {EIN: 59-6150746} governed by a community-based Board of Trustees and led by President Isaiah M. Oliver.

Our Mission

Stimulating Philanthropy To Build A Better Community

We do this through

Civic Leadership
Philanthropic Leadership
Providing products & services to help our donors fulfill their philanthropic goals

Our Values:

Grantmaking that is fair and thoughtful
Leadership that trusts and respects the intent of donors
Service to the community that is innovative and creative
Governance with integrity that puts community above self
Equity centered as a core strategy of the Foundation

60 Years of Giving Back, Giving Forward

Three momentous events occurred in Jacksonville in 1964 – Hurricane Dora swept through our city, the Beatles performed live at The Gator Bowl, and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida was born. Both Hurricane Dora and The Beatles retreated within hours, but The Community Foundation remains to this day—sustained by generous donors who create permanent charitable funds that improve the quality of life in our community.

It was the bold vision of J.J. Daniel, Robert R. Feagin, Laurence Lee, Jr., and Thomas R. McGehee that pioneered the original entity, known as The Greater Jacksonville Area Community Foundation. The first significant gift was $45,000—proceeds from the sale of the Community Chest-United Fund building on Market Street. Today, our assets have grown to more $700 million dollars in 2024, but our commitment remains the same – to work with donors who want to give thoughtfully to improve the quality of life in our community.

Take a moment to view some of The Community Foundation’s important milestones that have been achieved along the way.

“…a depository for the people of Jacksonville, both the large and small, the wealthy and the moderate, to be able to give for the betterment of their fellow man, not just today, but in a continuing way.”

– Founding partner Thomas R. McGehee, May 1964

What Is a Community Foundation?

Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving thousands of people who share a common interest—improving the quality of life in their area.

All community foundations are overseen by a volunteer board of trustees, comprised of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying their communities’ needs. Today, nearly 800 U.S. community foundations collectively grant more than $6.5 billion each year and manage more than $82 billion in charitable assets.

“Our greatest satisfaction is to work with visionary philanthropists to help them achieve their charitable goals.”

– Isaiah M. Oliver, President, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida