With a population hovering at the 200,000 mark, Tallahassee has all the markers of a thriving, healthy community: vibrant parks, public art, a thriving university hub, and an events calendar packed each weekend with festivals, concerts, and educational opportunities for all ages.
So, you might be surprised to know that Tallahassee is also home to the poorest ZIP code in the state of Florida, where residents lack access to affordable housing, struggle to make ends meet, and rely on the kindness of strangers for their next meal.
Between these two versions of our city, a strong network of nonprofit organizations works around the clock to bridge that gap. Knowing that a healthy local community is one where residents hold genuine respect for one another and have a strong commitment to where they live, Tallahasseeans come together often to strengthen their mutual foundation.
Part of that effort is the GiveTLH campaign, created by business owner and philanthropist Rick Kearney, and now in its sixth year. “Just as small business is the driver of growth in every community’s overall business success, supporting smaller nonprofits leads to more enduring community services. In difficult economic circumstances, smaller nonprofit organizations struggle just to keep the lights on and often have to sacrifice greatly just to continue their worthy mission,” he says.
Since 2018, GiveTLH has awarded over $100,000 to dozens of grass-roots philanthropy efforts, shining a spotlight on their volunteers and the impact they have on the Tallahassee community. “It has been our intent from the beginning to lead and inspire other businesses, individuals, and governmental entities to recognize these emerging nonprofit organizations to provide a helping hand towards sustainability,” says Kearney.
Six local nonprofit organizations will be highlighted in the Democrat over the next few weeks. We’ll share their mission, their vision, and their plans with you so you can learn more about how you can help. Then, it’s time for Tallahassee to step up: you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your favorite, giving them a boost in the form of a grant from The Beatitude Foundation.
Each featured organization will receive $1,000 towards their mission, and the three top vote-getters will also receive a grant of $10,000, $5,000, or $2,500. Their stories will be featured at give.tallahassee.com.
Honorees will also receive a 12-month membership to United Partners for Human Services, a collaboration of over 200 human service organizations focused on advocacy, engagement, and community education. The top three organizations will receive a free registration and exhibitor booth space for the United Partners for Human Services Annual Conference, and the first place winning organization will receive $5,000 in services from BowStern Marketing.
The North Florida chapter of Safe Families for Children was the recipient of last year’s largest grant of $10,000. Spokesperson Cathy Campbell explained in 2022, “Safe Families for Children advocates for vulnerable children and socially isolated families who are dealing with crises such as homelessness and unemployment. Our goal is to keep families together and avoid them having to enter the foster care system.” The GiveTLH gift has enabled them to grow a national movement of change agents passionate about protecting children and preserving families in communities across the nation and the world.
Recipients of $5,000 and $2,500 grants, respectively, include Mission Possible Enrichment Center, created by A.L.A.R.M. International Church to provide educational and other enrichment services to the local and regional community, and Sportsability Alliance, which partners with organizations across the region to provide access to outdoor experiences with an eye towards accessibility for all.
Kearney hopes that the program will continue to grow in community support of local philanthropic organizations. “Hopefully, in our sixth year of GiveTLH, less focus will be on our campaign and more on the organizations being highlighted. We also want to attract ever-greater support from the community to raise awareness and financial benefit to those nominated,” he says with confidence. “There is a saying, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. I believe that to be true, and when it is lived, it brings good things to everyone.”
Do you know of an organization who should be considered for GiveTLH? “We are looking for those who fill open needs, inspire our community and serve humbly,” says Kearney.
Keep reading over the next six weeks as we share the mission and stories of local organizations who are working to strengthen the foundation on which all of Tallahassee stands.
About #GiveTLH
#GiveTLH, underwritten by the Beatitude Foundation and Rick Kearney, is a look at six nonprofits in our community and how you can help them in their life-changing work. At the conclusion of this series, Kearney will award grants to the nonprofit that gets the most votes in an online poll. For more profiles, visit give.tallahassee.com.
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