Community Foundation awards record $6.56M to 177 nonprofits

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties will distribute a record $6.56 million to 177 local nonprofits in Palm Beach and Martin counties. The grants cover year-round, summer, capacity-building and multi-year funding, expanding support for services tied to housing, food, health, education and community resilience.

Why it matters: - The Community Foundation is putting its largest competitive grantmaking package into the local nonprofit sector, widening support for organizations that handle everyday needs across Palm Beach and Martin counties. - The $6,560,035 in grants reaches 177 nonprofits, the most recipients ever funded in a single grant cycle. - The funding spans immediate service needs and longer-term capacity building, which can help nonprofits stay stable while serving more residents.

What happened: - The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties announced it will award a record $6.56 million in grants on July 6, 2026. - The grants go to 177 nonprofit organizations serving residents across Palm Beach and Martin counties. - The grant cycle is the largest competitive grantmaking effort in the Community Foundation’s 54-year history. - Julie Fisher Cummings, chair of the Community Foundation’s Community Impact Committee, said the grants help organizations meet the community’s greatest needs every day.

The details: - Year-round grants were awarded to organizations including 211 Palm Beach Treasure Coast, Boca Helping Hands, Community Greening, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Food Bank, The Lord’s Place and Young Singers of the Palm Beaches. - Summer grants were designated for programs at groups including Breakthrough Miami, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Delray Beach Public Library, Palm Beach State College, Quantum House and The Milagro Center. - Capacity-building grants were set aside for nonprofits including Ballet Palm Beach, Bridge the Gap Empowerment Center, Healing Hearts Pet Therapy, Kids Kickstart, PROPEL and True Amor Foundation. - Multi-year grants will be distributed over three years to support long-term impact for organizations including Bound for College, Dress for Success Palm Beaches, Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County, Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative, Path to College Foundation and Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County. - Discretionary grants were also awarded to groups including American Association of Caregiving Youth, Children’s Home Society, Florida’s Children First, Little Lights Dentistry and YMCA of South Palm Beach County. - Danita R. DeHaney, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said donor support allows flexible funding that helps nonprofits respond to current challenges and build stronger communities. - The Community Foundation said the grants were awarded through its competitive grant process, overseen by the Community Impact Committee, a team of volunteers and the board of directors. - Funding comes from charitable funds created by individuals, families, businesses and organizations. - The Community Foundation said it has awarded grants to more than 3,600 nonprofit organizations since its founding in 1972. - The organization says it has distributed more than $300 million in grants and scholarships since 1972. - More information is available in the full recipient list and the grantmaking process.

Between the lines: - The mix of annual, summer, capacity-building and multi-year grants suggests the foundation is trying to cover both urgent services and organizational infrastructure. - The record number of recipients points to broad demand across the region’s nonprofit network. - Multi-year funding can give smaller organizations more certainty, which may matter as costs and service needs continue to rise.

What's next: - The selected nonprofits will use the funding across the coming grant periods, with multi-year awards distributed over three years. - The Community Foundation will continue using its competitive grant process for future cycles. - Residents and nonprofit leaders can review the recipient list and grantmaking process online.