GiveWell Community Foundation

GiveWell Community Foundation give help. give hope. give well. Donors come to the GiveWell Community Foundation with a variety of passions and interests.

Some have a predetermined philanthropic plan - perhaps to support a beloved church, or establish scholarships for a specific class of students, or simply to establish a charitable fund that the donor will advise over time. Others, however, have less specific ideas. Perhaps they have a field of interest they wish to support - the arts or education - but no predetermined ideas about giving. Or they

may wish to provide funds to meet the broadest possible range of community needs. Whatever the donor's interest, our staff works to marry the desires of the donor with the interests and needs of a growing, diverse community.

This free event will provide valuable information to help you get storm-ready!
05/26/2026

This free event will provide valuable information to help you get storm-ready!

We recently had the opportunity to tour the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital before it opens thi...
05/22/2026

We recently had the opportunity to tour the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital before it opens this summer. Access to care remains one of our community’s most pressing challenges, so expanding high-quality, accessible healthcare is essential to improving overall quality of life in our region.

A big thank you to Katie Worthington Decker and her Orlando Health Foundation team for providing a fascinating look at the new facility and the focus on both state-of-the-art technology and patient care.

Congratulations to GWCF’s Grants Manager Johnna Martinez and Board Member Jillian Spangler on your graduation from Leade...
05/21/2026

Congratulations to GWCF’s Grants Manager Johnna Martinez and Board Member Jillian Spangler on your graduation from Leadership Polk Class XIX! We know this has been a rewarding year of learning alongside other community leaders, including this year’s Class Chair Chad Barron, who serves on GWCF’s Investment Committee.

Polk Vision’s Leadership Polk program provides a valuable opportunity for participants to explore issues facing our area through dynamic learning experiences, while fostering lasting relationships with other leaders throughout the county.

GiveWell Community Foundation recently hosted a nonprofit workshop, “Using Your Board to Fundraise,” for our agency fund...
05/01/2026

GiveWell Community Foundation recently hosted a nonprofit workshop, “Using Your Board to Fundraise,” for our agency fundholders. Kerry Bartlett with Carter provided valuable guidance to nonprofit staff and board members on how to collaborate to maximize philanthropic impact through ethical and effective fundraising.

During the workshop, the peer sharing and thoughtful Q&A highlighted both the challenges nonprofits face and their commitment to improving. It was encouraging to see Board members and nonprofit leaders learning from one another and leaving with ideas they can put into practice right away.

We are proud to provide practical, high-impact training opportunities like these to help support the nonprofit organizations that serve our community every day.

Mabel Schaefer lived a life guided by her steadfast faith and a deep commitment to others, including the students that s...
04/29/2026

Mabel Schaefer lived a life guided by her steadfast faith and a deep commitment to others, including the students that she impacted during her time as an educator. GiveWell Community Foundation is honored to help ensure that her lifelong dedication to others continues to make a meaningful difference.

As part of honoring her legacy, we were proud to visit Mi Escuela Montessori, recipient of one of twenty grants recently awarded to local nonprofits. This grant will be used for early childhood classroom expansion at the school’s new campus in Bartow, now under construction. Congratulations!

We are proud to announce a new granting milestone! Since its founding in 1997, GiveWell Community Foundation has awarded...
03/31/2026

We are proud to announce a new granting milestone! Since its founding in 1997, GiveWell Community Foundation has awarded more than half a billion dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties and beyond.

Nearly 24,000 grants totaling $524 million have been granted to thousands of nonprofits that address critical needs in areas such as community development, education, human services, health, environmental stewardship, animal services, and arts & culture.

Thanks to thoughtful giving by fundholders and donors, these grants have supported causes that make our communities stronger and more resilient.

Learn more at givecf.org/granting-milestone

As part of the  LIFT Institute at SEU's recent LiFT Summit, GWCF’s President & CEO Callie Neslund, along with Ashley Bel...
03/18/2026

As part of the LIFT Institute at SEU's recent LiFT Summit, GWCF’s President & CEO Callie Neslund, along with Ashley Bell Barnett, Community Advocate & Philanthropist, participated in an engaging conversation about what donors look for when evaluating nonprofit organizations.

During the discussion, facilitated by the LiFT Institute’s Sara Beth Wyatt, they shared valuable insights, including the role of community foundations with both philanthropists and the agencies that champion the causes they care about. We are grateful for opportunities like this that spotlight nonprofits and their impact on our community.

Polk County Public Schools wants to hear from you! A new online survey will help the school district learn how to better...
03/06/2026

Polk County Public Schools wants to hear from you! A new online survey will help the school district learn how to better serve students, employees, their families, and the entire community. By completing the survey you’ll be providing valuable information that can be used to improve our local educational system. It only takes a few moments!

Our school district has launched a new survey to help us learn how we can better serve our students, employees, their families, and the entire community.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is working to expand and improve rural health care access and o...
03/04/2026

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is working to expand and improve rural health care access and outcomes across the state. Stakeholders in the rural health, behavioral health, medical, and workforce sectors are encouraged to attend the upcoming Rural Health Transformation Program Town Hall (Polk County & Hardee County) on Tuesday, March 10:

March 10, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
AdventHealth Wauchula
735 S. 5th Avenue, Wauchula, FL 33873

March 10, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
The Manors at Carpenters
1001 Carpenters Way, Lakeland FL, 33809

Attendees can expect to:
- Hear directly from AHCA leadership
- Learn about the Rural Health Transformation Program grant
- Participate in an open Q&A session

To learn about AHCA’s Rural Health Transformation Program, visit ahca.myflorida.com/rural-health-transformation-program

We are so proud of Lori Martini, GWCF’s Vice President / CPO, who just wrapped up a successful year as Board Chair of La...
02/11/2026

We are so proud of Lori Martini, GWCF’s Vice President / CPO, who just wrapped up a successful year as Board Chair of Lakeland Chamber of Commerce! Our community is better because of Lori’s leadership and commitment to service. Congratulations, and thank you!

Address

1501 S Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL
33803

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(863) 683-3131

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GiveWell Community Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to GiveWell Community Foundation:

Share