GWCF announces Empower Polk 2021 grant recipients

LAKELAND, FL, (August 5, 2021) – We are pleased to announce that $108,587 has been awarded through the 2021 Empower Polk grant cycle. Established in 2018, Empower Polk is an annual competitive grant program of the GiveWell Community Foundation with the goal of empowering local nonprofit organizations to become more efficient and sustainable.

“Empower Polk is made possible by generous fundholders and donors who financially support the grant cycle and our grant committee members who volunteer their time to carefully review each grant request we receive,” said GWCF’s President and CEO, John Attaway. “We have them to thank for the continued success of the Empower Polk grant cycle and the additional improvements, planning, and training afforded to these great organizations.”

This year, Empower Polk made capacity-building grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to the following 35 local nonprofits:

• A Woman’s Choice received $4,200 for technology improvements (computers).
• Achievement Academy received $3,000 for technology improvements (computers).
• Aerospace Center for Excellence received $3,500 for technology improvements (AutoCAD plotter and software).
• Bonnet Springs Park $2,000 for technology improvements (computers).
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County received $2,000 for strategic planning.
• Camp Fire U.S.A. Sunshine Council received $2,000 for technology improvements (PA system) and staff training.
• Catholic Charities of Central Florida received $2,000 for technology (tablets and software) and marketing (rebranding) improvements.
• Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center received $4,400 for technology improvements (devices and software).
• Circle of Friends Ministry received $3,200 for technology improvements (computer and software) and staff training.
• Explorations V Children’s Museum/Florida Children’s Museum received $5,000 for technology improvements (telecommunications).
• Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales received $4,500 for strategic planning and implementation.
• Gospel Inc. received $3,000 for marketing improvements (capital campaign video).
• Imperial Symphony Orchestra received $1,000 for marketing improvements (rebranding campaign).
• InnerAct Alliance received $2,000 for marketing improvements (marketing materials).
• Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay received $1,000 for strategic planning and new board member engagement.
• Junior League of Greater Lakeland received $2,500 for technology improvements (software for donor/fundraiser management).
• kidsPACK, Inc. received $3,500 for marketing upgrades.
• Lakeland Choral Society received $1,500 for marketing improvements (social media and communications).
• Lakeland Community Theatre received $2,700 for program improvements (dance studio mirrors).
• Lakeland Kiwanis Charitable Foundation received $1,900 for technology improvements (new software, support, and training).
• Lakeland Leads Partnership received $1,500 for marketing improvements (social media campaign).
• Lakeland Police Foundation received $5,000 marketing improvements (new strategies and materials).
• Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine received $4,721 for marketing improvements (website upgrade).
• Learning Resource Center of Polk County received $3,100 for marketing improvements (website upgrade).
• Lighthouse Ministries received $2,500 for strategic planning (board development).
• Meals on Wheels of Polk County received $3,366 for marketing improvements (website upgrade).
• Parker Street Ministries received $5,000 for strategic planning and staff training.
• Peace River Center received $5,000 for technology improvements (computers).
• Polk Education Foundation received $2,500 for marketing improvements (marketing materials).
• SPCA Florida received $4,200 for technology upgrades (printer/scanner).
• Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland received $2,800 for strategic planning.
• The Salvation Army Serving West Polk County received $1,900 for strategic planning.
• Volunteers in Service to the Elderly received $3,500 for strategic planning.
• Women’s Resource Center of Florida received $5,000 for technology upgrades (computers and video conferencing equipment).
• YMCA of West Central Florida received $3,600 for technology upgrades (smart TVs).

Applications for Empower Polk 2021 were reviewed and awarded by GWCF’s Grants Committee, which is comprised of volunteer community leaders. 35 applications were submitted, and each organization received full or partial funding this year. Due to limited program funding, Empower Polk is currently only available by invitation to nonprofit organizations who have established an agency fund within GiveWell Community Foundation. To learn more about agency funds, visit givecf.org/nonprofits/agency-funds.