GWCF announces almost $100,000 in operational grants to local nonprofits!

LAKELAND, FL (June 26, 2024) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is pleased to announce that $98,196.83 has been awarded through the Empower Polk 2024 grant cycle. A total of 30 nonprofit organizations received grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Through Empower Polk, GWCF aims to help nonprofits become more efficient and sustainable by funding capacity-building investments such as technology upgrades and training for board members and staff. Nonprofits can have difficulty setting aside or locating the funding for improvements like these, however they can make a lasting impact within an organization.

“Congratulations to the local nonprofit organizations who received grants through the Empower Polk 2024 grant cycle,” said GWCF’s President and CEO, Callie Neslund. “Thanks to the generous fundholders and donors who financially support Empower Polk, these nonprofits are able to make improvements that help them better serve our community. We are also grateful for our dedicated volunteer grant committee members who spend hours reviewing and evaluating each request to ensure that this operational support will make the most impact.”

Empower Polk 2024 grants were awarded to the following 30 nonprofit organizations:

• A Woman’s Choice received $1,100 for staff training
• Achievement Academy received $1,500 for updated marketing materials
• Bonnet Springs Park received $2,500 for technology improvements
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, Inc. received $5,000 for commercial furniture
• Camp Fire U.S.A. Sunshine Council received $3,970 for technology improvements
• Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center received $3,300 for technology improvements
• Circle of Friends Ministry, Inc. received $3,000 for technology improvements & materials
• Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales received $2,000 for updated marketing materials
• Florida Children’s Museum received $3,600 for strategic planning/technology improvements
• Frostproof Care Center Foundation received $5,000 for technology improvements
• Good Shepherd Hospice received $3,500 for clinical/nursing skills lab
• Gospel Inc. received $2,500 for staff training
• Harrison Center for the Arts Parents Association, Inc. received $3,500 for teacher training
• Lakeland Community Theatre received $3,500 for equipment
• Lakeland Police Foundation received $1,000 for technology improvements
• Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine received $5,000 for technology improvements
• Learning Resource Center received $2,050 for technology improvements
• Lighthouse Ministries, Inc. received $5,000 for strategic planning
• lkldnow.com / Linking Community Now received $2,000 for technology improvements
• Meals on Wheels of Polk County received $3,894.12 for technology improvements
• Noah’s Ark of Central Florida received $2,500 for updated marketing materials
• Options for Women Pregnancy Help Clinic received $4,600 for technology improvements
• Parker Street Ministries, Inc. received $3,500 for board/staff development
• Peace River Center received $3,098 for staff training
• Polk Education Foundation received $4,207.68 for staff training
• SPCA Florida received $2,200 for technology improvements
• Talbot House Ministries received $3,650 for staff training
• The Mission of Winter Haven received $5,000 for equipment and technology improvements
• Volunteers in Service to the Elderly received $5,000 for technology improvements
• Youth for Christ of Polk County received $4,000 for website improvements

Support Empower Polk

Funding for the Empower Polk grant cycle comes from donations made by fundholders and the public to the GWCF’s Unrestricted Grant Fund. 100% of these donations go directly towards empowering local nonprofits. Donations can be made to Empower Polk at givecf.org/donate. Fundholders may request a grant to Empower Polk from their donor-advised fund.