Community Foundation closes nonprofit needs list with $4.5 million in philanthropic support

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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. It typically awards $1 million in competitive grants to local nonprofits each year.

Sheila Kinman, CAP® is the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay where she helps donors design and fulfill their charitable giving goals. She is also a Charted Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), a designation that provides knowledge for guiding charitable individuals, businesses and foundations. Contact the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay for help with your charitable giving.