VyStar Foundation announced June 14 that more than $200,000 will be distributed in its third grant cycle focused on nonprofit organizations that support military and veterans service programs.
Specific funding priority was given to programs that address health and basic needs, mental health services and workforce development.
“We are proud to announce that VyStar Foundation selected 12 nonprofit organizations in our second military grant cycle,” VyStar Foundation President Patricia McElroy said in a news release. “Providing much-needed support to these organizations is a privilege. The spirit of philanthropy is deeply embedded in our identity, and we remain committed to supporting our brave service members and acknowledging the sacrifices made by them and their families.”
• The American Red Cross Northeast Florida will receive $10,800 to expand the Armed Forces Family Emergency Communications and Resiliency Workshops program to recruit and train additional volunteers to keep service members and their families connected during emergencies and build resiliency in the military community.
• Clay County Rescue Mission will receive $20,000 to provide sustainable and short-term housing and support to military members and their families.
• Hart Felt Ministries Inc. is awarded $20,000 to help veterans 70 and older stay in their homes by providing housing and grocery assistance to alleviate hunger and help prevent eviction and possible homelessness.
• Hope4Veterans Inc. will receive $20,000 to expand Hope4Veterans’ P2P Therapeutic Art Program in Clay, Duval and St Johns counties. The funds also will help provide childcare during the sessions.
• Here Tomorrow Inc. is awarded $20,000 for the nonprofit’s Military Peer Support Program, a mental health model that provides no-cost, no-wait support for veterans.
• Navy League of the United States Mayport Council will receive $20,000 for its “Food is Essential! Ask Any Sailor Before Payday” program that supplements food insecurities for military members and their families at Naval Station Mayport.
• Operation Lifeline Inc.’s Heroes to Housing: Veteran Workforce Development program will receive $5,000 to address workforce development and education by providing vocational training in the construction industry.
• Golden Isles Veterans Village Inc. will receive $15,786 to purchase clothing, hygiene items and kitchenware for units at the Savannah tiny home village serving homeless veterans. The program will also include cooking classes for veterans who have been chronically homeless.
• Heart of Florida United Way is awarded $20,000 to enhance its Mission United program by increasing marketing/promotion activities.
• Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans Inc. will receive $10,000 for the Operation Upward Momentum program that assists veterans with basic living needs, job placement, community involvement and self-sufficiency in Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam and Sumter counties.
• The MOACC Good Deeds Foundation Inc. is awarded $20,000 to provide monetary support to active-duty military and veterans and their families to meet their basic needs in Brevard County as part of the MOAACC Good Deeds Fund.
• Thomas University will receive $19,965 to enhance its Counseling Center’s capacity for veteran and student support and strengthen its ability to provide care to veterans, military members and their families.
VyStar Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Georgia, North and Central Florida. In 2023, the philanthropic initiative of Jacksonville-based VyStar Credit Union had a total impact of nearly $1 million.
Grants totaling $387,282 were given to 20 local organizations addressing the critical needs of youth, active military members, veterans and their families in addition to a $570,000 building donation to Three Grains of Rice Missions. The nonprofit provides resources for individuals and families struggling with food and housing instability along with local and international disaster relief and humanitarian aid.
VyStar Foundation will launch its next grant cycle in September giving funding priority to nonprofit organizations that support youth. The application process opens Sept. 9 and closes Oct. 13.
Visit vystarfoundation.org for details.