Call them the Lucky 18.
Eighteen Southwest Florida nonprofits were granted funds by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation last week exceeding $557,036.
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation supports programs aimed at increasing the quality of life in sustainable and equitable ways for Southwest Floridians.
The money came from the community foundation's available Field of Interest funds, as well as individual and corporate donations resulting from the foundation's Compassionate Shark Tank audience.
The nonprofits include: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Audubon of the Western Everglades, CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc., Family Initiative Incorporated, Glades Education Foundation, Inc., Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc., Gulf Coast Symphony, Gulfshore Opera, Hendry County School District, Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships, I Will Mentorship Foundation, JFCS of Southwest Florida, Lee County Alliance for the Arts, New Mission Systems International, Sanibel Sea School, the School District of Lee County and The Heights Center.
Some examples of the regional funding include Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter's REACHing Southwest Florida (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health). This program provides training for caregivers of people with Alzheimers to reduce burden and depression, improve ability to provide self-care, provide social support, and help caregivers learn how to manage difficult behaviors in care recipients.
"Awarding this funding is just the start of our partnership with this regional mix of nonprofits," said Sarah Owen, president and CEO of the Foundation. "We will stay connected with them all year in a learning community where we share information and build our partnerships with the nonprofit and its leadership."
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation, founded in 1976, cultivates regional change for the common good through collective leadership, social innovation and philanthropy to address the evolving community needs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.
Last year, it partnered with individuals, families and corporations that have created more than 400 philanthropic funds over the last 40 years.
With assets of more than $93 million, the foundation has provided more than $67 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves since inception.
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