GiveWell Community Foundation

05/26/2026

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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!