Community Foundation continues to connect nonprofits and philanthropists
Tampa, Fla. – The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay quickly mobilized during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided $4.5 million in philanthropic support to nonprofits through its own funding resources and the generosity of local philanthropists, corporations and foundations over the past year.
Over the past year, nonprofits submitted more than 1,000 urgent and emerging needs to the Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Needs List, a centralized list of local nonprofits’ greatest needs and the specific dollar amounts needed to fund each project. The collaborative and transparent tool was a lifeline for nonprofits and a much-needed connection for philanthropists.
The Community Foundation provided 458 grants to 207 nonprofit organizations that submitted requests through the Nonprofit Needs List. Many more nonprofits received contributions directly from philanthropists who viewed the list.
Outcome reporting from the nonprofit partners who received grants indicated that more than 765,000 local residents were provided services which included over 620,000 that received meals, almost 50,000 that received access to arts and culture, over 29,000 that received personal protection equipment (PPP), over 28,000 that received physical or mental health services, and almost 24,000 that received education and/or training. Another 14,500 local residents received domestic violence counseling, career counseling, personal financial assistance, transportation services, or operational support. In addition, over 2,000 animals received support from the Nonprofit Needs List grants.
These grants were funded by existing donor-advised funds or family foundations held at the Community Foundation, matching funds from the Community Foundation and the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund. The Community Foundation, Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue and Humana seeded the Rapid Response Fund, which is designed to address nonprofits’ immediate and mid- to long-term needs through grants to local nonprofits.
“We’re pleased that we were able to connect so many generous philanthropists with local nonprofits who are best equipped to meet our community’s greatest needs,” said Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.
As a new phase in the COVID-19 pandemic is reached, the Nonprofits Needs List has been deactivated. The Community Foundation plans to launch a new tool to connect nonprofits and philanthropists later this year.
“Our community support is continuing to evolve,” said Spalten. “We provide more than $30 million in grants to nonprofits each year, and our avenues of support change over time to best meet the needs of the community.”
Nonprofits are also encouraged to submit applications for the Community Foundation’s competitive grants cycle when it opens in October 2021. It typically awards $1 million in competitive grants to local nonprofits each year.
About the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
Founded in 1990, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay connects donors, nonprofits, community and business leaders, professional advisors, volunteers and residents to make the maximum positive impact in the Tampa Bay region. For 30 years, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to making giving easy and meaningful for donors as a way to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build a better, more vibrant community. Since its inception, its donors have enabled the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to award nearly $280 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country. Learn more at CFTampaBay.org.
