Local nonprofits receive more than $180,000 in grants through GWCF’s 2026 Empower grant cycle

LAKELAND, FL (June 9, 2026) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) is pleased to announce that 32 nonprofit organizations received grants through GWCF’s 2026 Empower Hardee, Highlands & Polk grant cycle. A total of $182,309 was awarded to help these nonprofits become more efficient and sustainable by funding capacity-building investments such as technology upgrades and training for board members and staff. Funding for this type of improvement can be difficult to obtain, making the Empower grants even more valuable to the organization’s success.

GWCF has now awarded more than $1 million of Empower grants to local nonprofits since the program began in 2018. “These grants play a vital role helping local nonprofits make important improvements that might not otherwise be possible,” said GWCF’s President and CEO, Callie Neslund. “Because of generous donors who financially support this grant cycle, and dedicated volunteers who serve on the grants committee, our local nonprofits have the additional resources to make even more of an impact on the lives of those they serve.”

Below are examples of this year’s Empower grant awards that funded a variety of projects benefiting the tri-county area:

Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc., which provides child abuse and neglect prevention programs and early-intervention services to children and families in Highlands County, will use grant funds to enhance meeting, training, and workshop space by using modern conferencing technology and upgraded equipment. This hybrid environment will strengthen collaboration among board members, staff, and community partners while expanding access to family resource workshops for families who may not be able to attend in person. This investment will support more effective staff training, improve the quality of workshops offered to families, and increase overall engagement.

ConnectED works to enhance high school graduates’ preparedness, making Polk County a premier destination for families and businesses through innovative educational practices and strong industry partnerships. With the grant funds, ConnectED will bring the workplace to students through virtual field trips. Because many students, specifically those in rural, low-income, or underserved communities, lack access to meaningful career exploration opportunities, these virtual field trips will help address this inequity by providing scalable, accessible, and engaging career exploration experiences that bring the workplace directly into the classroom. The interactive, online experience enables high school students to explore workplaces, connecting classroom lessons to real-world environments without leaving campus.

Hardee County Ministerial Association dba Hardee Help Center, which helps families thrive with hope, resilience, and support they need to overcome life’s challenges, will purchase updated computers and equipment, and a doorbell camera system to enhance staff safety while enabling them to provide critical after-hours assistance. Because the Hardee Help Center is a crisis assistance center, their team must be able to quickly access records, document services, communicate with partner agencies, and complete required reporting. By replacing the outdated equipment, they will increase efficiency, strengthen record management, and enhance safety while allowing them to better serve individuals and families in crisis throughout Hardee County.

The Salvation Army – West Polk County, which works with homeless individuals and families to help meet basic needs, will provide additional training to shelter staff monitors and case managers to support families during their time of crisis and instability. The Salvation Army serves over 200 homeless families a year with emergency shelter, transitional housing, and childcare in a holistic supportive environment providing hope and resources. This training in crisis intervention, trauma informed care, conflict resolution, and helping diverse populations will enhance staff skills working with homeless families to create an individualized case plan, working towards self-sufficiency and family stability.

Theatre Winter Haven, which strives to inspire, challenge, entertain, and educate our community by creating exceptional theatrical experiences, will use grant funds to support the Ritz Theatre’s Kid’s Club that provides secure, licensed, and affordable childcare service inside the Lounge at the Ritz Theatre during a series of Date Nights. Theatre Winter Haven created these Date Nights to address the barrier of lack of affordable childcare in the evening hours that frequently precludes couples with children from enjoying dinner and a show. Funding will be used at the Kid’s Club for new locks (located high up so they are inaccessible for the kids), age-appropriate games, activities, furniture, and snack/drink dispensers. The Kid’s Club opens before the scheduled shows and runs until the end of the Ritz performance.

Funding for the Empower Hardee, Highlands & Polk grant cycle comes from contributions made by GWCF donors and the public, with 100% of donations directly empowering local nonprofits. To learn more about Empower Hardee, Highlands & Polk, including how to contribute, visit givecf.org/nonprofits/empower.