Our Mission

Our History and Cumulative Impact

Indian River Community Foundation was established in 2008 with a powerfully simple mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy. Today the Community Foundation holds assets of more than $100 million in over 200 charitable giving accounts. Together with our clients we have awarded more than $150 million in grants to charities in Indian River County and beyond.

Like many emerging businesses, Indian River Community Foundation depended on start-up capital to operate and sustain operations. This capital came in the form of generous charitable contributions from 52 Founders who made financial contributions of $25,000 each. Five years later, 26 of these Founders renewed their commitments by making contributions of another $25,000 each.  These precious resources enabled the Community Foundation to hire its first executive director, open an office, and begin serving clients and the charitable causes important to them.

Indian River Community Foundation’s first decade of operation was primarily focused on growth of assets and donor advised grantmaking.  Over time, administrative support fees assessed to each component fund provided operating income, and grants from donor advised funds increased.  Eventually the generosity of anonymous donors provided discretionary dollars for competitive grantmaking activities to begin.   By the end of its first decade of operation, the Community Foundation was recognized as one of the fastest growing new community foundations in the country, while also ranking among the top 10 most active grantmakers among all U.S. community foundations.

The Community Foundation began its second decade of operation with a focus on impact. Tools and resources were developed to support the practice of effective philanthropy. These include an online Nonprofit Search, a pioneering report “Transfer of Wealth in Indian River County,” a community needs assessment, and a community needs database named Indian River Indicators. As a result, the Community Foundation has become the most knowledgeable philanthropic resource in our community.

Today, the Community Foundation is committed to growth, impact, operational excellence and a community leadership practice that engages residents, works across sectors, commissions and disseminates local data and research, influences public policy, and marshals resources beyond our own grants. Our vision of a healthy, prosperous, generous community is clear, and our dedication to our mission is strong.  All toward the goal of a better community for all.