Grants are supported by the Frank V. Oliver Jr. Endowment and other funds at the Foundation
JACKSONVILLE, FL – June 30, 2026 – The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida has awarded seventeen grants totaling more than $245,000 to nonprofits providing a range of services in Putnam County, including programs that help families access food, housing and youth enrichment.
“This year, we received a record number of applicants for grants as nonprofits are working to meet an increased demand for services in Putnam County,” said Reagan Bass, program officer who leads the Foundation’s grantmaking in Putnam County alongside a community panel of Putnam County leaders. “We’re grateful to the donors who have given generously through The Community Foundation to make these grants possible.”
Twelve grants were funded by the Frank V. Oliver Jr. Endowment, named for a longtime Palatka businessman who established a number of endowed funds at The Community Foundation through his estate. Since inception, the Frank V. Oliver Jr. Endowment, an endowed field of interest fund dedicated to quality of life in Putnam County, has distributed more than $1.9 million in grants.
This year’s grants from the fund were:
- CDS East Family Action & Interface Youth Shelter — $15,000 — to support summer programming for youth at the Palatka shelter
- Children’s Home Society of Florida — $25,000 — to support the operation of the Family Resource Center in Putnam County
- Epic Cure — $25,000 — to provide driver stipends to transport food from sources to Putnam County distribution centers/sites
- Feed the Need of Putnam County — $5,000 — to support installation of a gate opener to improve safety and efficiency at warehouse
- Heart of Putnam Food Pantry [Sharing Putnam’s Bounty] — $25,000 — to support bi-weekly food distributions and pantry operations
- Nehemiah Project — $10,000 — to support the Recovery Cafe in Putnam County
- Palatka Christian Service Center — $25,000 — to support rent/mortgage assistance for Putnam County residents experiencing financial crisis
- Protential Foundation — $10,000 — to support the launch of the Passport to Prosperity program in Putnam County
- Safe Families for Children-Northeast Florida — $15,000 — to support volunteer mobilization and family support initiatives in Putnam County
- South Putnam Christian Service Center — $5,000 — to purchase two commercial coolers for food storage
- St. Johns River State College — $6,000 — to provide a second year of scholarship assistance to three students
- University of Florida Foundation — $15,000 — to support the Putnam County 4-H program expansion
Another three grants were made from the Putnam Village Fund, supported by anonymous donors:
- Fostering Connections St. Johns — $5,000 — to purchase a 20-unit classroom set of laptops and headphones for the Palatka-based Career Readiness Academy serving teens with experiences in foster care
- Children’s Home Society of Florida — $10,000 — for the Putnam County Family Resource Center
- University of Florida Foundation — $10,000 — for the Putnam County 4-H Program to purchase classroom activity supplies and curriculum materials
In addition, two grants were made from discretionary funds established by other donors at The Community Foundation:
- Putnam County Bread of Life — $19,144 — to support roof replacement and window renovation at meal distribution facility
- Putnam Habitat for Humanity — $20,000 — to support the construction of new affordable homes and repairs of existing homes for low-to-moderate income families in Putnam County
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 62nd year, the Foundation manages more than $809 million in assets as of 12/31/2025 and has made more than $925 million in grants since inception.
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Contact: Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-224-7208 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org