The VyStar Foundation distributed nearly $198,000 to 10 recipients in its first grant cycle focused on nonprofits that support active military, veterans and their families.
Specific funding priority was given to programs that address food and housing insecurity, employment and small business counseling, and mental health services.
“Each of the 10 nonprofit organizations selected as part of this grant cycle are truly making a difference in the lives of our military, veterans and their families,” Patricia McElroy, president of VyStar Foundation, said in a news release.
“It is a tremendous honor to recognize the outstanding organizations that are addressing critical needs in the communities we serve. The military grant cycle honors VyStar’s roots at Naval Air Station Jacksonville,” VyStar Credit Union President/CEO and foundation Chairman Brian Wolfburg said in the release.
The grant recipients are:
• Beaches Habitat for Humanity, which received $20,000 to support home repairs for the Hometown Heroes program to improve the quality of life and living conditions of veterans in the community by focusing on exterior and interior home repairs.
• Five Star Veterans Center, which received a $20,000 donation to The Weaver Wellness Mental Health Program, which provides case management, supportive on-site housing and 24/7mental health services.
• Northeast Florida Women Veterans Inc., which received $20,000 for the HerSPACE program that provides a safe space for women to access case management and stable housing.
• Operation New Uniform Inc., which received $20,000 to help provide employment and small business counseling to support veterans transitioning from military to civilian careers.
• Task Force Hydro 1, which received $19,965 to provide service members, veterans, their families and friends with therapeutic mental health support through the healing powers of the ocean and outdoor recreational activities.
• United Way of Northeast Florida, which received $20,000 for the Mission United Veteran Emergency Needs Program. It provides access to a basic needs fund for military/veterans and their families who need emergency financial assistance to help overcome immediate crises.
• Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry, which received $20,000 for the Basic Needs for Homeless Veterans’ Program in Alachua County that ensures veterans have ongoing access to nutritious meals.
• America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Network, which received $20,000 for its Mobile Food Pantry that provides food for active military and veterans at Hunter Army Airfield in Chatham County.
• SD Gunner Fund Inc. in Chatham, Georgia, which received $20,000 for its Service Dogs’ Program that provides service dogs and training to veterans to improve their mental health.
• Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative in Orange, Florida, which received $17,127 to provide support, resources and education to help veterans transition into entrepreneurship and contribute to the economic growth of their communities.
Grants through VyStar Foundation are available to 501(c)(3) organizations whose purpose and mission align with the foundation’s strategic giving priorities:
• Ensuring military members, veterans and their families receive the social services they need and the recognition they deserve.
• Empowering youth by providing equitable access to creative learning environments.
• Cultivating financially strong, culturally vibrant and interconnected communities.
The VyStar Foundation’s next grant cycle is in August and will give funding priority to nonprofits that support underserved youth.
The application period opens Aug. 21 and closes Sept. 30.