Foundation News

A message from GiveWell Community Foundation’s new president/CEO, Callie Neslund, on the future of the foundation.

John Attaway to transition to Counsel role; Callie Neslund appointed as President/CEO of the GiveWell Community Foundation.

GiveWell Community Foundation welcomes Dorena Geary, CPA, as the organization’s new Controller.

GWCF and United Way of Central Florida stand ready to activate the United Community Relief Fund for potential relief efforts caused by Hurricane Ian.

GWCF is proud to have several representatives participating in this year's Leadership Polk and Inside PCPS leadership programs.

The Leadership Polk Alumni Association's Spirit of Leadership award recognizes individuals and organizations who contribute to leadership development efforts in Polk County.

GiveWell Community Foundation welcomes Callie Neslund as Chief Operating Officer. Neslund’s prior experience spans the government and private sectors including over a decade of work in corporate philanthropy for The Mosaic Company and service on nonprofit boards.

Polk Vision was awarded a grant to develop a new initiative that will work to help break down barriers preventing students from finishing high school, getting into college, or finding immediate careers through job training and certifications.

As we approach the season of giving and the end of the calendar year, our staff is ready to make your year-end gifts and grantmaking as easy and impactful as possible. With this in mind, here are a few year-end giving tips and deadlines for 2021.

This year's Nonprofit Workshop was designed for nonprofit board members and executive directors, and topics ranged from board responsibilities to planned giving.

GWCF’s Communications Manager, was recently named one of twelve members of the statewide Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Joe Curley Rising Leader Class of 2021.

GWCF is pleased to announce a new Balanced Pool investment option for fundholders. As the name implies, this new investment pool offers a balanced strategy of equity and fixed income investing.

GiveWell Community Foundation is excited to announce the addition of four new members to the Board of Directors: Ann Barnhart, Christina Criser Jackson, Katrina Lunsford, and George Tinsley, Sr.

GiveWell Community Foundation’s Controller, Angela Baragona, CPA, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer.

As 2020 comes to a close, we are proud of our successes this year and look forward to working with you in 2021 to continue building philanthropy in our community.

Learn how you make the most of your year-end charitable giving and and maximize the impact of your charitable gift.

More than 1,000 grants totaling $23.6 million were distributed through the community foundation in previous fiscal year. Learn more in our 2019-2020 Annual Report.

As GWCF's new Philanthropic Services Coordinator, Sara Hallett, APR, will work to bolster local philanthropy and awareness of the community foundation.

GWCF announces its 2020-2021 board of directors and officers, including three incoming and two outgoing board members.

GiveWell Community Foundation receives the 2019-2020 Spirit of Central Florida award from United Way of Central Florida.

The former Publix general counsel will take over as President/CEO of the GiveWell Community Foundation.

GiveWell Community Foundation recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence.

GiveWell Community Foundation announces the posting for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.

Nonprofit board members, executive directors, and fundraising professionals from around the community convened on October 25 for the third annual GWCF Nonprofit Workshop.

Terry Simmers to retire as President and CEO after 12 years of service with the community foundation.

More than one thousand grants were awarded over the last fiscal year! Learn about more about our grants and other highlights in our 2018-19 Annual Report.

Get to know the newest members of the GiveWell Community Foundation Board of Directors.

City commissioners presented GWCF with the June 2019 Commercial Beautification Award for its main office in Lakeland.

Four outgoing members of the GiveWell Community Foundation Board of Directors were honored for their years of service and support to the organization and community.

We are excited to announce the launch of a newly-refreshed givecf.org website, featuring a more modern design with a simplified navigation, mobile-friendly responsiveness, and enriched content tailored for perspective donors, professional advisors, and nonprofit organizations.

Anniversaries are occasions for celebrating the past and imagining the future. As the GiveWell Community Foundation marked its 20th anniversary this year, we have had so much to celebrate!

GiveWell Community Foundation is proud to announce and welcome Angela Baragona, CPA as the organization’s Controller.

Terry Simmers, President/CEO of the GiveWell Community Foundation announces that five new board members have joined the community foundation’s board of directors: Wesley Barnett, Jean Bostick, Kimberly Elmhorst, Tom Oldt, and Renee Pobjecky. A native of...

At the final board meeting of the 2017-2018 fiscal year, the GiveWell Community Foundation’s board of directors appointed a new slate of officers and five new board members.

"The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" is expected to be signed by President Trump before the end of the year. Like many Americans, we have been following this tax reform bill very closely, staying informed on how it will affect our fundholders and...

The 2016-2017 fiscal year was a remarkable year for the GiveWell Community Foundation! Thanks to our generous fundholders, more than $21 million was granted to impactful nonprofit organizations throughout Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and beyond.

Winter Haven - Members of the GiveWell Community Foundation's Leadership Council came together for their annual combined meeting on Thursday, August 31 at the historic Gram Parsons' Derry Down building in downtown Winter Haven. Board Chair, Suzie Moraco, opened the...