Isaiah M. Oliver
President, The Community Foundation
In moments like this, when uncertainty and policy shifts create real pressure on families and nonprofits, philanthropy often feels the pull to respond immediately. That instinct is right, compassion matters, and local giving makes a difference. As stewards of limited charitable resources, we also have to act strategically.
Our role is to make our donors’ charitable dollars go further, not just through immediate relief, but by pairing compassion with strategic, informed grantmaking and as well as through community leadership. Shifts in federal and state funding are already having significant impacts on the nonprofit sector in Northeast Florida, affecting access to food, healthcare, housing, and more. The most recent situation is the projected SNAP gap, and we are concerned that many families and organizations will face increased pressure in the months ahead.
While philanthropy cannot replace public sector funding, it can strengthen the capacity and resilience of the nonprofit sector through targeted support. This summer, a fundholder at The Community Foundation came forward to take a leadership role in a strategic response, making a lead gift of $1 million to establish the Northeast Florida Resilience Fund. Grantmaking from this fund is already underway to help local nonprofits sustain mission-critical activities and build long-term stability. Additional contributions to the Fund can help direct charitable dollars to agencies responding to the increased food needs, and the Foundation is poised to make grants specifically addressing this situation.
As we anticipate increased community need, we’re inviting additional donors to join this effort. Every contribution to the Northeast Florida Resilience Fund helps ensure that the nonprofits our community relies on remain strong, adaptive, and ready to serve.
If you’d prefer to meet immediate food security needs directly, we also encourage giving to trusted partners such as Feeding Northeast Florida and The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM).
Together, we can meet today’s challenges while building a stronger, more resilient tomorrow.