BY DAN HILDEBRAN
April
The Clay Electric Foundation approved 8 applications for April 2025 in the amount of $89,500.
Fellowship Baptist Food Pantry – $8,000, (Union County)
Fellowship Baptist Church of Raiford offers a food pantry for those in need in surrounding counties. Grant funds will be applied to the purchase of a walk-in freezer.
Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida – $10,000, (Putnam County)
Feeding Northeast Florida is the region’s largest food bank and hunger-relief network, working to establish food security across eight counties. Grant funds will go toward the Snack Pack Child Feeding Program, which provides food for children over the weekend.
Child Advocacy Center – $20,000, (Alachua County)
The Child Advocacy Center works with child victims to break the cycle of abuse by offering therapy and case management. Grant funds will help replace equipment used in forensic interviews.
National Association of Veterans and Families – $12,000, (Clay County)
The National Association of Veterans and Families helps veterans and their families understand and maximize the benefits they have earned from the Veterans Association. Funds from the grant will support the Senior Veterans in Crisis program.
NMB Organization – $14,500, (Alachua County)
The NMB Organization in Gainesville is dedicated to implementing positive youth programs, particularly targeting public housing communities. Grant funds will support the PATH program by providing funds for academic tutors and supplies.
Ascension St. Vincent – $5,000 (Clay County)
Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation in Jacksonville is a not-for-profit, philanthropic organization that provides quality, compassionate healthcare to the community’s most vulnerable. Grant funds will support the Mobile Health Outreach Ministry in Clay County.
Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs – $15,000, (Clay County)
The Food Pantry is an all-volunteer organization that provides Clay County with emergency food for families and individuals in need. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase nonperishable food items.
KMS Coyote Band Boosters, Inc. – $5,000 (Alachua County)
The Kanapaha Middle School Coyote Band Boosters supports band students in achieving their best as musicians. Grant funds will help purchase new instruments and uniforms.
May
The Clay Electric Foundation approved eight applications for May 2025 in the amount of $75,300.
Fort Clarke Middle School Band Boosters – $7,500, (Alachua County)
Fort Clarke Middle School Band Boosters is a group of volunteers who support the FCMS band program. Grant funds will help absorb the cost of student participation.
Child Evangelism Fellowship of Florida/Camp Good News – $10,000, (Putnam County)
Camp Good News, located in Hawthorne, is a day camp for children and youth. Funding from the grant will be applied to improvements to the property.
Communities in Schools in Bradford County – $15,000, (Bradford County)
Communities in Schools of Bradford County surrounds students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Funds will be used for programming to increase the graduation rate of Bradford County students.
Children’s Home Society – $7,800, (All counties)
Children’s Home Society of Florida is committed to breaking the tragic cycle of child abuse and neglect. Funds from the grant will be used to provide academic support to help students reach grade promotion or achieve a diploma.
Clay County Rescue Mission – $15,000, (Clay County)
The Clay County Rescue Mission provides hope to families and individuals who need help with the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. Grant funds will provide assistance in supplying those basic needs.
Here Tomorrow – $10,000, (Clay County)
Here Tomorrow strives to transform lives by building a community where mental healthcare is acceptable and accessible. Funding from the grant will provide therapy sessions for residents across Clay’s 15-county service territory.
Putnam County Caring Coalition – $5,000, (Putnam County)
The Putnam County Caring Coalition (PC3) addresses critical needs for Palatka’s unhoused through its year-round Temporary Overnight Safe Space. Grant funds will be used to purchase personal hygiene supply kits for the homeless.
St. Catherine’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul – $5,000, (Clay County)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Orange Park is an international organization of lay persons which allows men and women to join together in offering person-to-person service to the needy. Grant funds will be used to assist the needy with basic needs such as electric bills, water bills and rent costs.
