This year, 38 grants were awarded to nonprofits serving Polk County through GWCF’s capacity-building grant cycle.
LAKELAND, FL (June 28, 2022) – We are pleased to announce that $113,126.79 has been awarded through the Empower Polk 2022 grant cycle. A total of 38 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 strategic planning, 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.
“We would like to thank the generous fundholders and donors who financially support Empower Polk and make this meaningful grant cycle possible,” said GWCF’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John Attaway. “Empower Polk is also supported by the members of our grants committee who spend hours reviewing, evaluating, and meeting to discuss each application to make the most impact for our community. We are very thankful for their time and dedication.”
Empower Polk 2022 grants were awarded to the following 38 nonprofit organizations:
- A Woman’s Choice
- Achievement Academy
- Bonnet Springs Park
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
- Camp Fire U.S.A. Sunshine Council
- Catholic Charities of Central Florida
- Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center
- Circle of Friends Ministry
- Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales
- Florida Children’s Museum
- Good Shepherd Hospice
- Gospel. Inc.
- Green Horizon Land Trust
- Harwood Village
- Humane Society of Polk County
- InnerAct Alliance
- Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay
- Junior League of Greater Lakeland
- kidsPACK
- Lakeland Choral Society
- Lakeland Community Theatre
- Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
- Learning Resource Center of Polk County
- Lighthouse Ministries
- LkldNow
- Meals on Wheels of Polk County
- Noah’s Ark of Central Florida
- Options for Women Pregnancy Help Clinic
- Parker Street Ministries
- Peace River Center
- Polk Education Foundation
- SPCA Florida
- Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland
- The Mission of Winter Haven
- The Salvation Army -West Polk County
- Volunteers in Service to the Elderly
- Women’s Resource Center of Florida
- YMCA of West Central Florida
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. Qualified nonprofits were invited to apply for Empower Polk 2022 funding in March 2022. Each organization that applied received full or partial funding. To learn more about agency funds, visit givecf.org/nonprofits/agency-funds.
Overview of
Empower Polk 2022
Grants by Type:
Grants Awarded
Total Granted
%
Technology Improvements
%
Marketing & Branding
%
Board & Strategic Planning
%
Staff Training & Programs
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.
Be sure to visit our YouTube channel where you can get a closer look at how Empower Polk grants are making a difference in our community.