The collective giving circle has now granted a total of $2.5 million in ten years
JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Beaches Community Fund, a collective giving initiative of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, recently made $319,000 in grants to 19 nonprofits that address critical needs facing their Beaches-area neighbors.
The collective giving circle has now invested $2.5 million in grants to nonprofits since the Fund began making annual grants in 2015. It now comprises more than 35 families, who pool resources to support nonprofits from Mayport to Guana.
“Our Grants Committee made 26 site visits to nonprofits in our area. The committee was not only impressed by the quality and commitment of each of the nonprofits selected this year, but also humbled by the reality of their ongoing need for support,” said Caroline Fitzgerald, a member of the Fund who presented the 2025-26 grants on behalf of the Grants Committee. “We wish to congratulate this year’s grantees, and thank them for their service to the community.”
The BCF continued its focus on financial, food and housing assistance, supports for students and youth, as well as 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 Council on Aging – $20,000 – Expand Dial-a-Ride senior transportation by offsetting increased insurance and staffing costs.
- Beaches Habitat for Humanity – $20,000 – Support home repairs for seniors and veterans to remain safely housed.
- BEAM – $40,000 – Sustain emergency assistance programs including food, financial aid, and care coordination.
- Boys & Girls Club of NE FL – $5,000 – Enhance Project Learn with updated tech and staff support for after-school academics.
- City Year Jacksonville – $20,000 – Support Whole School Whole Child program at Mayport Elementary to boost student outcomes.
- Communities in Schools – $20,000 – Fund case manager at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle to support student success.
- Feeding Northeast Florida – $30,000 – Fund food distribution programs serving Beaches communities.
- First Coast Blessings in a Backpack – $25,000 – Provide weekend meals to students at four Beaches-area schools.
- Girl Scouts of Gateway Council – $2,500 – Expand Girl Scout troops at Anchor Academy and McKenzie’s Boys & Girls Club.
- I.M. Sulzbacher Center for The Homeless – $25,000 – Support staffing for mobile outreach bus serving the unhoused at the Beaches.
- Mission House – $30,000 – Sustain Intake Coordinator role to expand client support and meal services.
- Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida – $18,500 – Develop Indicators Dashboard and offer workshops to strengthen nonprofits.
- PossAbilities Plus – $5,000 – Support first-year costs of free transport for students with disabilities to internships.
- READ USA – $10,000 – Promote literacy through book fairs and workshops for families and educators.
- Safety Shelter of St. Johns (Betty Griffin Center) – $4,000 – Continue violence prevention programming at Ponte Vedra Beach High.
- St. John’s Emergency Assistance Ministry – $10,000 – Provide food and financial assistance to Atlantic Beach and Mayport residents.
- St. Vincent dePaul Beaches – $10,000 – Offer crisis assistance including housing, food, and basic needs support.
- The Young Men’s Christian Association – $15,000 – Enrich middle school program with STEAM, mental health, and leadership workshops.
- WJCT – $9,000 – Expand PBS Kids learning workshops for young children in the Beaches community.
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 support basic needs, making more than $2.5 million in grants since inception. To learn more: www.jaxcf.org/beaches or contact Wanda Willis, VP of Civic Leadership, at wwillis@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 in its 61st year, the Foundation manages more than $700 million in assets as of 12/31/2024 and has made more than $850 million in grants since inception.
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Contact: Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-356-4483 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org