This year, 29 grants were awarded to nonprofits serving Polk County through GWCF’s capacity-building grant cycle.
LAKELAND, FL (June 20, 2023) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is pleased to announce that $104,439.67 has been awarded through the Empower Polk 2023 grant cycle. A total of 29 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.
“We are grateful to the generous fundholders and donors who support Empower Polk, which enables outstanding local nonprofits to make improvements so they can better serve our community,” said GWCF’s President and CEO, Callie Neslund. “The success of Empower Polk is also made possible thanks to our dedicated grant committee members who volunteer their time to carefully review and evaluate each grant request.”
Empower Polk 2023 grants were awarded to the following 29 nonprofit organizations:
- Bonnet Springs Park received $4,800 for technology improvements
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County, Inc. received $5,000 for training
- Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center received $5,000 for technology improvements
- Circle of Friends Ministry, Inc. received $2,500 for marketing
- Drug Prevention Resource Center dba InnerAct Alliance received $3,750 for marketing
- Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales received $2,500 for training
- Florida Children’s Museum received $3,500 for technology improvements
- Green Horizon Land Trust, Inc. received $1,660.12 for technology improvements
- Humane Society of Polk County received $2,000 for technology improvements
- Junior League of Greater Lakeland received $5,000 for technology improvements
- kidsPACK, Inc. received $1,299 for marketing
- Lakeland Community Theatre, Inc. received $5,000 for technology improvements
- Lakeland Police Foundation, Inc. received $2,000 for marketing
- Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine received $2,710.55 for technology improvements
- Learning Resource Center of Polk County received $2,320 for training
- Lighthouse Ministries, Inc. received $5,000 for training
- Noah’s Ark of Central Florida received $5,000 for technology improvements
- Options for Women Pregnancy Help Clinic received $5,000 for training
- P.E.A.C.E. Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment, Inc. received $1,000 for training
- Parker Street Ministries, Inc. received $3,000 for technology improvements
- Peace River Center received $4,375 for technology improvements
- Police Athletic League of Lakeland, Inc. received $5,000 for technology improvements
- SPCA Florida received $5,000 for technology improvements
- Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland, Inc. received $2,500 for training
- The Mission of Winter Haven received $5,000 for technology improvements
- The Salvation Army – West Polk County received $2,400 for training
- Volunteers in Service to the Elderly received $4,700 for technology improvements
- Winter Haven Chamber Foundation received $5,000 for technology improvements
- YMCA of West Central Florida received $3,100 for training
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 2023 funding in March 2023. To learn more about agency funds, visit givecf.org/nonprofits/agency-funds.
Overview of
Empower Polk 2023
Grants by Type:
Grants Awarded
Total Granted
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Technology Improvements
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Marketing & Branding
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