The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys is preparing to distribute funding to nonprofit organizations throughout the island chain while offering leadership training to help strengthen the organizations serving local communities.
Hannah Edwards, director of philanthropy and outreach for the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, joined Good Mornign Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the organizaiton.
The foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, connects donors with nonprofit organizations and causes throughout the Florida Keys.
“We connect people who care with causes that matter,” Edwards said.
One of the foundation’s signature programs, the Leadership Success Academy, is scheduled for October 27 and 28 at the new Ocean Exploration Center, also known as the Reef Center, in Key Largo.
The two-day program provides training for nonprofit executives and board members on the responsibilities and practical skills needed to manage organizations effectively. Topics include interpreting nonprofit financial statements, leadership transitions, succession planning, governance, fundraising and new legislative requirements.
Edwards said the program is particularly useful for incoming board members, newer nonprofit executives and experienced leaders seeking a refresher.
The foundation is still accepting registrations, although space is becoming limited. Edwards encouraged interested participants to register as soon as possible through the foundation’s website at CFFK.org.
The foundation is also moving forward with its annual In Paradise for Good community grants program, which received 94 applications from nonprofit organizations throughout the Keys during its September application period.
Edwards said applications are reviewed by a board of grant reviewers made up of local residents from different regions and professional backgrounds. Reviewers use the same criteria to evaluate proposals and determine which programs should receive funding.
The foundation also shares summaries of the applications with its donor-advised fund holders, giving them an opportunity to support projects that align with their interests.
A donor-advised fund allows individuals to contribute assets to a charitable fund and recommend grants to nonprofit organizations. Edwards said contributions can include appreciated stocks as well as cash, potentially providing tax advantages depending on the donor’s circumstances.
The foundation combines contributions from its Florida Keys Future Fund, donor-advised fund holders and regional councils serving the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. Each regional council has a future fund that can support nonprofit programs in its area.
Edwards said the collaborative approach allows the foundation to direct more money toward local organizations than it could through a single funding source alone.
“It’s really great collective giving,” Edwards said. “So it’s been really great to work together with the donors in this way, and it really lets them be part of this whole process.”
Following the grant review process, the foundation plans to hold presentations in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys during the week before Thanksgiving. The anticipated dates are November 17, 19 and 20, with the Upper Keys presentation expected to take place November 17. The remaining locations and dates were still being finalized at the time of the interview.
The presentations will give donors an opportunity to meet representatives of the organizations receiving grants, learn more about their programs and explore ways to become more involved.
Edwards encouraged residents interested in learning about the foundation’s work to attend.
“Come to the grant presentation, check it out, see how we support the nonprofits and the donors, and connect them, and just come be a part of it,” she said.
The foundation’s work has grown significantly over the past five to 10 years, Edwards said, reflecting the generosity of people who want to support their communities.
“That’s really our strength, is just the people that live here, and connecting them together and letting them do the good that they want to do,” Edwards said.
The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys has facilitated tens of millions of dollars in community giving over its 30-year history, supporting nonprofit organizations and causes throughout the island chain.
More information about the foundation, the Leadership Success Academy, community grants and opportunities to give is available at CFFK.org.