Author: wendyb

First Coast Relief Fund announces recipients of initial phase of ‘Healing Jax’ grantmaking

Jacksonville, Fla. (March 7, 2024) – The First Coast Relief Fund announced today the recipients of its initial phase of grantmaking from dollars raised through its Healing Jax effort. The 19 grant recipients include nonprofit and grassroots organizations working on direct community support and healing in the New Town and Grand Park neighborhoods. These grants represent dollars raised by the Relief Fund following the tragic, racially motivated shooting on Aug. 26, 2023.

Through this initial phase of grantmaking, the Relief Fund is distributing approximately $148,000. This grant opportunity provides funding for nonprofits and grassroots organizations up to $15,000 that are operating programs focused on direct community support and recovery including but not limited to: food security, community healing and mental health. The size of grants are anticipated to directly relate to the organization’s size, capacity and reach of services. The application opened in November and continues to receive applications at firstcoastrelieffund.org until the initial $250,000 worth of grant funds are depleted. 

The 19 grant recipients so far are:

Northwest Behavioral Health  $30,000 Mental health services
Family Foundations  $15,000 Mental health services
Feeding Northeast Florida  $15,000 Food
The Hub (@ Kings Road) $15,000 Youth enrichment, food
New Town Success Zone  $15,000 Food 
Edward Waters University Schell Sweet Center  $7,500 Senior support
Step by Step Help Foundation $7,500 Mental health services
32209 Experience Inc.  $5,000 Community healing
Jacksonville Community Action Committee  $5,000 Mental health services
Knowledge & Empowerment  $5,000 Food
Krumping 4 Success $5,000 Youth enrichment
New Town Oasis Marketplace  $5,000 Food 
Pearls of Perfection $5,000 Youth enrichment
We C.O.P.E.  $5,000 Community healing
Silent Women Speaking Foundation  $2,500 Community healing
Soyini Circle  $2,500 Youth enrichment
CARES Justice  $1,000 Food
Families of Slain Children $1,000 Food 
Greenwood 100 $1,000 Food 

 

This initial grantmaking phase followed thoughtful review from a grantmaking committee comprised of the partners in the First Coast Relief Fund. Before the grantmaking rounds, Relief Fund leaders participated in community conversations to learn about needs in the area after the shooting, which directly affected the New Town and Grand Park areas of Jacksonville.

Over the past several months, Relief Fund leadership have also spoken and met with grassroots organizations, government officials, faith leaders and nonprofits serving in these communities to assess short-term and long-term needs. These ongoing conversations continue to ensure duplication of services is reduced and the dollars raised will have the most impact possible. Relief Fund leadership have also spoken with other communities who have experienced similar human-caused crises.

“These grants are being awarded after thoughtful and community-informed conversations with nonprofit and grassroots organizations on the ground in New Town and Grand Park,” said James Ellout, vice president of community impact for United Way of Northeast Florida. “We know the organizations selected will make a significant step forward in supporting and healing these communities as well as know there is more work to be done.”

The shooting caused the closure of the Dollar General store, which provided some food access to the New Town and Grand Park neighborhoods. Residents of the area continue to express in community meetings the continued need for fresh food. In addition, residents see a continued need to address trauma from gun violence, which was also a concern even before the mass shooting that took the lives of three people.

In addition to this initial phase of grants, a total of $45,000 from the Relief Fund was awarded to several on-the-ground organizations who immediately stepped in to serve following the crisis, including some that were awarded second grants through the open process: Feeding Northeast Florida, Northwest Behavioral Health, Edward Waters University Schell Sweet Community Resource Center and The Hub (@ Kings Road). These dollars are helping replenish capacity of these organizations as well as support their future work in New Town and Grand Park.

“This initial round of grants is uplifting, but at the same time, we know more work and more grantmaking is ahead of us,” said Isaiah Oliver, president of The Community Foundation. “We look forward to continuing to take applications for this grant pool and seeing the results of this outpouring of generosity following such a tragic event.”

Originally conceptualized following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016, the First Coast Relief Fund is a partnership of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, United Way of Northeast Florida and United Way of St. Johns County. The Together Strong Community Fund is the newest partner in the collaboration, focused on combating the root causes of bias.

The Relief Fund has distributed more than $9.6 million since its inception in 2016. Response efforts to date include grants after Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

A complete list of donors is available at firstcoastrelieffund.org

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING

Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/apply

Please note: Applicants must represent a nonprofit or grassroots organization

 

HOW TO ACCESS FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone for people in distress, including resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals. Dial 9-8-8 on your phone, or visit unitedwaynefl.org/988.

Additionally, United Way 211 is a free information and referral hotline available 24/7 to connect callers to emergency resources, including crisis response efforts. Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a call center specialist.

 

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About United Way of Northeast Florida

Founded 100 years ago in 1924, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential.  The organization’s mission is to solve Northeast Florida’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. United Way focuses on improving economic mobility in the following impact areas: basic needs, financial well-being and racial equity. The nonprofit organization’s long tradition of addressing the human-service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, donors and community partners. 100 years of serving and uniting Northeast Florida was only the beginning. To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org, or follow United Way of Northeast Florida on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

 

About United Way of St. Johns County

United Way-SJC fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in St. Johns County. For 60 years, this has been done by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging the community and leveraging resources to focus on community problems that matter most. Success is measured not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed. www.unitedway-sjc.org

 

About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest community foundation, 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. Since its inception in 1964, the Foundation has accepted more than $1 billion in gifts and made more than $695 million in grants. For more information: www.jaxcf.org.

 

About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a private foundation that works to expand access to opportunity and create inclusive growth for the people, organizations and communities that Jessie Ball duPont knew and loved. We envision a world in which every member of those communities feels they belong, and is engaged in shaping the future of their community. We use our grantmaking, investments, research and partnerships to increase equitable access to opportunities and resources for members of society who have historically been excluded, and placemaking to build stronger communities where all voices are heard and valued. Learn more at www.dupontfund.org.

 

About the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida mobilizes volunteer and financial resources to inspire engagement in Jewish life and assure a Jewish future in the local community, Israel, and around the world. Through the support of an annual campaign and Foundation, Federation helps to support members of our community by

providing for health, education and welfare, and ensuring the dignity of life. For more information, visit jewishjacksonville.org.

 

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Filed under: News

First Coast Relief Fund announces first phase of grant opportunities for New Town and Grand Park neighborhoods of Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2023) – The First Coast Relief Fund is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit and grassroots organizations working on direct community support and healing in the New Town and Grand Park neighborhoods. These grants represent dollars raised by the Relief Fund following the tragic, racially motivated shooting Aug. 26.

Through this initial phase of grantmaking, the Relief Fund is planning to distribute approximately $205,000. This open grant opportunity will provide funding for nonprofits and grassroots organizations up to $15,000 that are operating programs focused on direct community support and recovery including but not limited to: food security, community healing and mental health. The size of grants are anticipated to directly relate to the organization’s size, capacity and reach of services. The application is available at firstcoastrelieffund.org.

This initial grantmaking focus follows several community conversations to learn about needs in the area after the Aug. 26 racially motivated shooting, which directly affected the New Town and Grand Park areas of Jacksonville. Over the past few months, Relief Fund leadership have been speaking and meeting with grassroots organizations, government officials, faith leaders and nonprofits serving in these communities to assess short-term and long-term needs. These conversations ensure duplication of services are reduced and the dollars raised will have the most impact possible. Relief Fund leadership have also spoken with other communities who have experienced similar man-made crises.

“We have heard clearly in our conversation with residents, community leaders and nonprofits in the area that these issues are a priority,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, president of The Community Foundation. “We hope to support important, grassroots organizations that are responding to the community’s needs.”

The shooting caused the closure of the Dollar General store, which provided some food access to the New Town and Grand Park neighborhoods. Residents of the area expressed in community meetings access to fresh food was a challenge even when the store was open. In addition, residents expressed a need to address trauma from gun violence, which was also a concern even before the mass shooting that took the lives of three people.

In addition to the open grant opportunity, a total of $45,000 from the Relief Fund has been awarded to several on-the-ground organizations who immediately stepped in to serve following the crisis: Feeding Northeast Florida, Northwest Behavioral Health, Edward Waters University Schell Sweet Community Resource Center and The Hub (@ Kings Road). These dollars are meant to help replenish capacity of these organizations as well as support their future work in New Town and Grand Park.

“Our neighbors in this area are hurting not only from this horrific attack but also from longstanding, systemic inequities,” said Melanie Patz, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “As part of this partnership of grantmakers, we are here to help with some short-term needs and to listen to community members about the longer-term strategies that will improve quality of life for good.”

Together with partners, the First Coast Relief Fund is also in conversations about a longer-term strategy to address hate and racialized violence with a broader coalition of community stakeholders. The total amount raised through the First Coast Relief Fund in this effort is more than $1 million. Information on additional grantmaking will be coming in the new year.

Originally conceptualized following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, the Relief Fund has distributed nearly $9 million through 251 grants to 128 unique organizations since its inception in 2016. Response efforts to date include Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING

Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/apply
Please note: Applicants must represent a nonprofit or grassroots organization

 

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIRST COAST RELIEF FUND

Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/donate
Text: HEALINGJAX to 50503
By check: Pay to the order of First Coast Relief Fund and mail to: First Coast Relief Fund, 40 E. Adams St., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Please note “Healing Jax” in the memo of the check.

 

HOW TO ACCESS FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone for people in distress, including resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals. Dial 9-8-8 on your phone, or visit unitedwaynefl.org/988.

Additionally, United Way 211 is a free information and referral hotline available 24/7 to connect callers to emergency resources, including crisis response efforts. Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a call center specialist.

 

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About United Way of Northeast Florida

Founded 100 years ago in 1924, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential.  The organization’s mission is to solve Northeast Florida’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. United Way focuses on improving economic mobility in the following impact areas: basic needs, financial well-being and racial equity. The nonprofit organization’s long tradition of addressing the human-service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, donors and community partners. 100 years of serving and uniting Northeast Florida was only the beginning. To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org, or follow United Way of Northeast Florida on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

 

About United Way of St. Johns County

United Way-SJC fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in St. Johns County. For 60 years, this has been done by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging the community and leveraging resources to focus on community problems that matter most. Success is measured not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed. www.unitedway-sjc.org

 

About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest community foundation, 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. Since its inception in 1964, the Foundation has accepted more than $1 billion in gifts and made more than $695 million in grants. For more information: www.jaxcf.org.

 

About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a private foundation that works to expand access to opportunity and create inclusive growth for the people, organizations and communities that Jessie Ball duPont knew and loved. We envision a world in which every member of those communities feels they belong, and is engaged in shaping the future of their community. We use our grantmaking, investments, research and partnerships to increase equitable access to opportunities and resources for members of society who have historically been excluded, and placemaking to build stronger communities where all voices are heard and valued. Learn more at www.dupontfund.org.

 

About the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida mobilizes volunteer and financial resources to inspire engagement in Jewish life and assure a Jewish future in the local community, Israel, and around the world. Through the support of an annual campaign and Foundation, Federation helps to support members of our community by providing for health, education and welfare, and ensuring the dignity of life. For more information, visit jewishjacksonville.org.

 

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Filed under: News

First Coast Relief Fund Partners with Together Strong Community Fund to Respond to New Town Shooting in Jacksonville

Aug. 29, 2023 (Jacksonville, Fla.) – The First Coast Relief Fund, in partnership with the Together Strong Community Fund, is mobilizing contributions to address immediate needs and long-term systemic racial inequities following the New Town shooting motivated by anti-Black racism that took the lives of three victims.

The Relief Fund, Northeast Florida’s community crisis response fund, is a collaboration among the region’s largest funders, designed to maximize the impact of tax-deductible donations to support the local community when a crisis sparks an outpouring of generosity from local and national donors. The Relief Fund was originally conceptualized after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and has successfully responded to two hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Together Strong Community Fund is the newest partner in the collaboration, focused on combating the root causes of bias.

“The First Coast Relief Fund is a proven partnership that maximizes resources flowing into our community and distributes them to nonprofits via a fair, thoughtful process,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “We’re grateful to see the collaboration stepping forward as our community needs support for a variety of crises this week.”

In this work, the Relief Fund welcomes the Together Strong Community Fund, founded by David Miller on behalf of the Miller Families under the management of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, as the newest partner of the First Coast Relief Fund. The Together Strong Community Fund was formed to advance community-wide conversation and education following the display of hate speech in downtown Jacksonville in 2022.

“My family is fiercely devoted to making the greater Jacksonville community a place where everyone can feel safe and reach their personal potential,” said David Miller, founder of the Together Strong Community Fund, which includes lead gifts from VyStar Credit Union, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Florida Blue, CSX and Haskell. “The time is now to forge alliances and promote healing, conversation, and education.”

A generous gift from the Together Strong Community Fund has already been pledged to the Relief Fund to support this effort in addressing immediate needs and long-term systemic racial inequities.

The founding partners in the collaboration include the United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of St. Johns County, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and now, the Together Strong Community Fund, based at the Jewish Federation & Foundation.

The partners in the collaboration share a longstanding commitment to racial equity and promoting understanding across religious differences, among other dimensions of diversity. Grants will be made through a committee of local leaders that includes representation from the partners as well as local experts on the issues of healing from trauma and racial equity.

The grants will fund solutions that provide support and relief to those affected by this weekend’s mass shooting as well as address systemic issues that have created disparities in our communities. Areas of grants could include community mobilization, grief counseling and capacity building for organizations directly addressing racial inequities.

“The First Coast Relief Fund uses an established grantmaking process to ensure that donors’ resources are distributed to vetted, effective organizations closest to the needs of our community,” said Isaiah Oliver, president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “The Relief Fund is a near-term fundraising option for donors and has the capability to distribute funds that address the medium- and longer-term needs of the community as we make progress against all forms of hate in our region.”

“Our Northeast Florida community was rocked by an act of hate, and it will be united by acts of love from our City, foundations, corporations and individuals whose support is flowing in from near and far,” said Melanie Patz, president and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Northeast Florida. “Nonprofits across our region are doing the difficult work to help our community heal and create a safer, more inclusive shared future.”

Past donors include foundations, corporations, public agencies and individuals. Since its inception in 2016, the Relief Fund has distributed nearly $9 million through 251 grants to 128 unique organizations in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. Response efforts to date include Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Relief Fund’s most recent activation, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, once again demonstrated our community’s willingness to support those most in need, no matter the type of crisis faced: more than $5.5 million in funding was disbursed to 112 nonprofits providing assistance with mortgage and rent payments, food assistance and utility bills. In 2017, donors contributed more than $3.97 million to the Relief Fund in response to Hurricane Irma, with $3.56 million awarded to 33 organizations who connected First Coast residents with the resources they needed. Learn more at firstcoastrelieffund.org.

 

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIRST COAST RELIEF FUND

  • Online: firstcoastrelieffund.org/donate
  • Text: HEALINGJAX to 50503
  • By check: Pay to the order of First Coast Relief Fund and mail to: First Coast Relief Fund, 40 E. Adams St., Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Please note “Healing Jax” in the memo of the check.

 

HOW TO ACCESS FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 

  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone for people in distress, including resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals. Dial 9-8-8 on your phone, or visit unitedwaynefl.org/988.
  • United Way 211 is a free information and referral hotline available 24 hours, seven days a week to connect callers to emergency resources, including crisis response efforts.

The Fund is also monitoring Hurricane Idalia and is poised to support that effort, when and if needed.

 

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About United Way of Northeast Florida
Founded in 1924, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential. The organization’s mission is to solve Northeast Florida’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. United Way focuses on improving economic mobility in the following impact areas: basic needs, financial well-being and racial equity. The nonprofit organization’s long tradition of addressing the human-service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, donors and community partners. To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org, or follow United Way of Northeast Florida on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About United Way of St. Johns County

United Way-SJC fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in St. Johns County. For 60 years, this has been done by strategically investing in quality programs, building partnerships, advocating for better policies, engaging the community and leveraging resources to focus on community problems that matter most. Success is measured not by dollars raised, but by lives improved and changed. www.unitedway-sjc.org

 

About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, 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 58th year, the Foundation has assets of $630 million and has made nearly $640 million in grants since 1964. For more information: www.jaxcf.org.

 

About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a private foundation that works to expand access to opportunity and create inclusive growth for the people, organizations and communities that Jessie Ball duPont knew and loved. We envision a world in which every member of those communities feels they belong, and is engaged in shaping the future of their community. We use our grantmaking, investments, research and partnerships to increase equitable access to opportunities and resources for members of society who have historically been excluded, and placemaking to build stronger communities where all voices are heard and valued. Learn more at www.dupontfund.org.

 

About the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida mobilizes volunteer and financial resources to inspire engagement in Jewish life and assure a Jewish future in the local community, Israel, and around the world. Through the support of an annual campaign and Foundation, Federation helps to support members of our community by providing for health, education and welfare, and ensuring the dignity of life. For more information, visit jewishjacksonville.org.

 

About the Miller Families, Founders of the Together Strong Community Foundation

The Miller Families’ mission is to create positive change in the communities we touch by fostering innovation, collaboration, and measurable impact by leveraging resources and using Jewish values as our guide. Their vision is for our community to be an inclusive place of hope where all individuals have the opportunity to reach their personal potential in a just and equitable society.

 

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MEDIA CONTACTS

 

United Way of Northeast Florida

Sarah Henderson

Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

904-300-8366

sarahh@uwnefl.org

www.unitedwaynefl.org

 

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

Stephanie Garry Garfunkel

VP, Strategic Communications

904-356-4483

sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org

www.jaxcf.org

 

Jessie Ball duPont Fund

Melanie Cost

Communications

610-453-4153

mcost@dupontfund.org

www.dupontfund.org

 

Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida

Zahni Thuzar

Marketing Manager

904-224-1412

zahnit@jewishjacksonville.org

www.jewishjacksonville.org

Filed under: News