The Community Foundation of North Central Florida (CFNCF) announced the recipients of $195,000 in grants on its “Day of Impact” on Thursday.
CFNCF awarded 10 organizations from its two giving circles: the Women’s Giving Circle and the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of Realtors (GACAR) Giving Circle.
“We are thrilled to announce the recipients of these impactful grants,” said Barzella Papa, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, in the press release. “Through the collective efforts of our giving circles, we are able to address pressing issues and make a real difference in the lives of those in our community.”
In its 18th year of giving, the Women’s Giving Circle, awarded $130,000, with a $100,000 impact grant that aimed at fostering economic empowerment for girls and women. UF Mobile Outreach Clinic was awarded the impact grant and will launch its community-based perinatal mobile health project.
The additional $30,000 from the Women’s Giving Circle was distributed to seven other community initiatives.
“We are thrilled to support the Mobile Outreach Clinic with our largest Impact Grant ever this year,” said Jeanna Mastrodicasa, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle, in the press release. “Our mission is to empower women, and these funds to the Mobile Outreach Clinic will provide women with high-quality medical care and services during and after pregnancy.”
The GACAR Giving Circle, in its inaugural year, granted $50,000 for the Hearts for Housing Impact Grant, awarded to Family Promise of Gainesville for the Promise Center.
An additional $15,000 was awarded to the Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation for their Matching Housing Savings Program through the Brick by Brick Housing Grant. The GACAR Giving Circle focuses on housing education, homelessness prevention and housing.
“We are proud to contribute to the essential work being done by Family Promise and the Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation,” said Adam Gurske, president of the GACAR Board, in the press release. “These grants reflect our commitment to creating stable housing solutions and preventing homelessness in our community.”
List of Grants Awarded
Women’s Giving Circle
UF Mobile Clinic – $100,000
To provide support for the perinatal unit.
CHILD Center – $5,000
To start free health and wellness classes for mothers and female caregivers with young children enrolled in preschool at the CHILD Center.
Dream on Purpose, Inc. – $3,000
To provide the quarterly “Cupcakes and Conversation” girls empowerment program for girls ages 11-18.
Girls Can Do IT Too – $5,000
To provide funds for a summit for girls ages 12-18 impacted by the justice system and dedicated to breaking the chains of trauma and fostering holistic well-being.
Grace Healthcare Services – $5,000
To purchase and distribute pharmaceutical supplies including HPV vaccines and prescriptions for the free Women’s Only Clinic on the Grace Marketplace campus.
Regional Food Bank of NE Florida/Bread of the Mighty Food Bank – $5,000
To expand the “Renewing Dignity” program to Alachua County and provide free menstruation products via current food bank partners.
Released – $5,000
To provide four eight-week sessions of the trauma informed group therapy, Healing Trauma, to over 40 women incarcerated in Alachua County Jail and to provide wrap around support during their first 90 days after release.
Working Food – $2,000
To start a new program dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurship in Alachua County by offering consultation hours and target support initiatives to women-owned businesses needing assistance.
GACAR Giving Circle
Family Promise of Gainesville – $50,000
To provide transitional shelter to homeless families to provide space and time for families to work with the organization on permanent housing.
Neighborhood Housing Development Corporation – $15,000
To provide home buyer education and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers who are within one year of purchasing a home.