Grants supported organizations in the tri-county area providing food resources.
In 2025, many local nonprofit organizations stepped up to serve community members affected by disruptions in government-funded food programs. GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida, through the United Community Relief Fund, awarded $117,000 in grants to assist 27 of those organizations.
The grants allowed the organizations to replenish food pantries, continue feeding operations, or provide additional assistance to clients in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties. A summary of the impact of the grants can be found here.
About GiveWell Community Foundation GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) works with individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to build a stronger community throughout Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and beyond through charitable funds and competitive grant cycles. Since its founding in 1997, GWCF has awarded more than $500 million in grants. Today, GWCF is home to more than 400 charitable funds and the Impact Polk and Empower grant cycles. To learn more about GWCF, visit givecf.org or call 863-683-3131.
About United Way of Central Florida United Way of Central Florida mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. We bring people, resources, and ideas together to identify service gaps and co-create solutions that strengthen Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. Through partnerships with qualified organizations, we advance Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. To learn more, visit uwcf.org or call 863.648.1500.