from staff
Major Jacksonville philanthropic organizations have come together for the third year to provide support for community-based nonprofits serving individuals and families affected by the recession and ongoing economic problems.
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has committed $600,000 to re-open the Community Safety Net Fund at The Community Foundation in Jacksonville. The gift has been matched by a $300,000 gift from the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust.
The Community Foundation said it is soliciting additional gifts from other donors.
In the past two years, more than 30 individuals, corporations and philanthropic organizations, along with the City of Jacksonville, have contributed more than $2.75 million to support the major community organizations providing food, shelter and emergency assistance to those in need in Jacksonville.
“While we are distressed that so many of our fellow citizens continue to struggle to make ends meet, we are gratified by the generosity of Jacksonville’s donors,” said Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation.
The Community Safety Net Fund was created in late 2008 when the Jessie Ball duPont Fund invested $1 million to establish the fund and The Community Foundation, the City and other donors invested another $600,000 to alleviate the demand for food and shelter due to the recession.
In spring 2010, when donors became aware that the effects of the recession had not abated, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund invested $500,000 to reopen the fund. The Community Foundation raised an additional $566,499 from other donors, including the City.
Unemployment in the Jacksonville metropolitan area stood at 9.7 percent in May, above the national rate of 9.1 percent. The number of food stamp recipients in Duval County has increased 106 percent since 2008, said the foundation and the fund.
“Thousands of our neighbors need help securing housing, food and providing for their families,” said Sherry Magill, president of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.
“The lingering recession’s impact not only on individuals, but on state and local governments, means fewer and fewer resources are available to help those in need. We applaud those nonprofits that are working daily to meet these challenges and are honored to support their efforts,” she said.
Donors can contribute to the Community Safety Net Fund by visiting www.jaxcf.org or by contacting Kathleen Shaw, program director, at The Community Foundation, 356-4483 or [email protected].
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund makes grants to more than 330 eligible organizations identified by Mrs. duPont in her will. The fund has assets of more than $281 million and has awarded $303 million in grants since 1977.
The Community Foundation in Jacksonville works to encourage philanthropy to assist the community. The oldest community foundation in Florida, it has assets of $154 million.