The Community Foundation supports small, community‑based nonprofit organizations addressing everyday needs and building long‑term capacity across Northeast Florida. This grantmaking program is made possible by the Delores Barr Weaver Grassroots Grants Endowment, the Kitty and Reg Emans Memorial Fund, and other funding sources at the Foundation. Now in its sixth year, the program invests in organizations closest to the communities they serve—helping expand access to essential services, strengthen leadership, and improve quality of life throughout the region.
In early 2026, 35 organizations received grants of $2,500 each, totaling $87,100, including, for the first time, two organizations in Baker County.
Grants are organized below by the program’s five focus areas.
Building Community
(Neighborhood improvement projects, strengthening neighborhood leadership, and preserving neighborhood identity)
- Davis Street Soil Project (Duval) — an education‑ and community‑based initiative focused on healing soil, restoring place, and engaging residents through environmental stewardship and hands‑on learning — to complete construction of a perimeter fence for the Davis Street Soil Project site.
Providing Support for Unmet Basic Needs
(Hunger, clothing, and other essential items)
- Ablaze Glory Ministries (Duval) — a faith‑based organization committed to holistic wellness by meeting spiritual, physical, and material needs through community outreach and resource distribution — to purchase and distribute essential clothing, hygiene supplies, and household goods.
- Adore Me Nanny (Duval; St. Johns) — a maternal support organization focused on nurturing families through emotional wellness, education, and access to infant and maternal essentials — to support the Hope to Healing program providing maternal and mental health group sessions and baby and mother essentials.
- Blessing Others All The Time (B.O.A.T.T.) (Northeast Florida) — a nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness or hardship by distributing everyday necessities with dignity — to support the annual back‑to‑school drive.
- Colors Community Center (Northeast Florida) — an inclusive community‑based organization providing advocacy, education, and support services for LGBTQIA+ adults when other resources are unavailable — to support the hygiene pantry.
- Episcopal Church of the Redeemer (Duval) — a faith community with active outreach ministries, including a food pantry serving neighbors in need — to support food purchases providing supplemental food assistance.
- Hope4Veterans, Inc. (Northeast Florida) — an organization focused on stabilizing and empowering military women through emergency financial assistance and resource connection — to support military women experiencing financial or housing crises.
- Lucky Cat Adoptions, Inc. (Duval) — a cat‑rescue organization dedicated to humane population control and neighborhood‑based care through Trap‑Neuter‑Return and education — to support community outreach and Trap‑Neuter‑Return efforts in low‑income neighborhoods.
- The GFWC Woman’s Club of Macclenny (Baker County) — a civic organization committed to volunteering, community improvement, and health‑focused initiatives in Baker County — to support a community‑wide health and wellness fair.
Strengthening Nonprofits
(Training, planning, and coaching)
- Children’s Foundation of Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches, Inc. (Duval; St. Johns) — a charitable foundation supporting community service and child‑focused prevention efforts through strong nonprofit leadership — to support executive leadership coaching.
- IO for Teens, Inc. (Northeast Florida) — an organization focused on building emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication skills in youth through facilitated education — to support facilitator training and learning management system implementation.
- Jacksonville Campus Ministry, Inc. (Duval) — an interfaith organization supporting college students through leadership development, service, and community engagement — to support the nonprofit leadership internship program.
- Jesus People Living Word Church International, Inc. (Duval) — a faith‑based organization providing practical education and resources to support economic stability and housing security — to support community education resources on foreclosure prevention and housing stability.
- Marathon High, Inc. (Duval; Nassau; St. Johns) — a free, school-based program that trains high school students across Northeast Florida to complete a half marathon while building confidence, resilience, and lifelong healthy habits — to support executive director professional development.
- Marie Barney Boston Scholarship Foundation (Duval) — a foundation expanding access to education by supporting students and cultivating pathways into teaching and learning careers — to support the Community Learning Lens Program.
- Project Restore Ministries, Inc. (Duval) — an organization focused on restoring individuals and families through employment readiness, financial education, and coaching — to support facilitator training through the Chalmers Center certification program.
- The 1000 Dollar Start‑Ups Consortium (Northeast Florida) — an entrepreneurship‑focused organization helping emerging founders build sustainable small businesses through mentoring and education — to support curriculum development for the Mentor Program.
- The Playful Family, Inc. (Northeast Florida) — a nonprofit strengthening families and child‑serving systems through evidence‑based training and relationship‑focused practices — to support staff training in evidence‑based child welfare programs.
- We Provide Hope (Duval) — a grassroots organization focused on strengthening communities through nonprofit leadership development and resource access — to support capacity‑building efforts including board development and grant writing.
Addressing Special Needs and Racial Disparities
- Eye Spy Foundation (Northeast Florida) — an organization dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired through advocacy, education, and community connection — to support phase one of the JAX Eye Spy Community Hub.
- Fire Foundation of Northeast Florida, Inc. (Regional) — an education‑focused nonprofit supporting faith‑based schools through professional development, training, and resource innovation — to support March 2026 in‑service training for educators in the Diocese of St. Augustine.
- Northside Coalition of Jacksonville (Duval) — a resident‑driven organization working to advance health equity, civic engagement, and neighborhood leadership on Jacksonville’s Northside — to support community education, engagement, and health fairs.
- Pausing with God Ministries (Northeast Florida) — a mentorship‑based ministry supporting emotional growth, confidence, and faith development for adolescent girls — to expand mentorship programming for girls ages 12 and older.
Supporting Children and Youth
(Mentoring, enrichment activities, and after‑school supports)
- 1925 Alpha Men of Jacksonville Foundation, Inc. (Clay; Duval; Nassau; St. Johns) — a foundation committed to mentoring, leadership development, and educational advancement for young men — to support the Men of Valor Mentoring Program.
- Ability Tree First Coast (Northeast Florida) — an organization serving families impacted by disability through inclusive recreation, education, and community support — to provide music sessions for neurodivergent youth attending summer camp.
- Bridge Builders United (Northeast Florida) — a youth‑development organization empowering young men through mentoring, leadership training, and family engagement — to support youth mentoring and parent advocacy programs.
- First Coast Esports Alliance (Northeast Florida) — a nonprofit expanding access to STEM learning, digital skills, and career pathways through esports programs — to support the Tech Refresh Program.
- Fitness and Character Education, Inc. (Duval) — an organization using physical activity and mentorship to build character, leadership, and academic success in youth — to support after‑school programming at three Jacksonville elementary schools.
- Hands 4Life (Duval; St. Johns) — a nonprofit focused on fostering community connection and service through intergenerational programming — to support an intergenerational engagement series with the YMCA.
- Keller Community Association (Baker County) — a community‑based organization dedicated to enrichment, education, and positive experiences for local youth — to support an eight‑week summer camp for K–8 students.
- Know & Grow Learning Depot, Inc. (Duval) — an early‑literacy nonprofit supporting reading readiness and academic confidence in young learners — to support technology needs for early literacy programming.
- Language Exploration Enrichment (St. Johns) — an education‑focused organization promoting kindness, leadership, and global awareness through language enrichment — to support the Shining the Light on Kindness program.
- Little Ray Children’s Books, Inc. (Northeast Florida) — a nonprofit dedicated to bringing comfort and joy to hospitalized children through books and storytelling — to support book distribution for Wolfson Children’s Hospitals.
- Project New Perspective, Inc. (Northeast Florida) — a youth wellness organization supporting mental health through group programs and prevention‑focused education — to support the BeWell Youth Wellness Program.
- Richard Webster‑Bass Health Institute (Duval) — a health‑focused nonprofit addressing sickle cell disease, cardiovascular health, and caregiver support through education and community programs — to support Project Little Veins, Sickle Cell Teen Talk, and caregiver wellness initiatives.