Indian River Community Foundation

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Endowment Partner Spotlight: Education Foundation of Indian River County

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The Education Foundation of Indian River County sponsors STEP (Summer Transition Enrichment Program) into Kindergarten, a free four-week summer experience for 4 and 5 year old children. The primary goal of this program is to prepare children for Kindergarten success by providing pre-reading, math and social/emotional skills. In 2019, just 24% of children were observed to work and play well with others, compared to 73% of children after they went through STEP into Kindergarten. In terms of academic data, indicators such as number recognition and beginning sound recognition also increased after children completed the program. Education Foundation currently serves approximately 30% of the entering Title I population of Kindergarteners.

“Between June 7 and July 2, STEP into Kindergarten helped prepare 230 students to start kindergarten in the fall. It was a record summer.” – Douglas Herron, Education Foundation Executive Director

Education Foundation is also a part of our Endowment Partners Program (EPP).  The purpose of the EPP is to help local charities plan for their long-term sustainability by growing a permanent endowment fund. During a 12-month program, participants learn about endowments, planned giving, investment management and marketing solutions that inspire loyal donors to make planned gifts from their estates. The program is coordinated by IRCF team member Yamilet Cendejas.

To learn how to give outright contributions today or bequests and other planned gifts for future support, please see “Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy” under our “Giving” section or go to the Education Foundation website.

Weekly Insights: Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County

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41.4% of adults above age 24 in Indian River County have a high school diploma or less. The Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County is helping to increase the amount of high schoolers going to college by offering hope, encouragement and scholarship opportunities to local students with financial need who demonstrate the desire and academic ability to succeed in pursuing a post-secondary education. The organization awards two to four-year scholarships to local students who meet academic requirements and demonstrate college readiness. Scholarships awarded range from $2,000 to $30,000 and since 1965, the organization has awarded over $13.4 million to 3,025 Indian River County students.

Weekly Insights works in conjunction with Indian River Indicators. Indian River Indicators was launched in June 2021 and originated after the completion of the 2019 Indian River Community Needs Assessment. It provides key data and information about our community that is updated annually and can be used to support and sustain proven programs. It can also be used by community leaders to develop policy, promote promising practices and inspire innovation that can lead to solutions to persistent community challenges. Indian River Community Foundation holds monthly informational sessions to introduce the community to this new resource. The next session will be held on Tuesday, February 1st at 4pm via zoom. Please email Foundation Coordinator, Chiaka Nwosu, at chiaka@ircommunityfoundation.org to attend a session.

To learn more visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org and click “Indian River Indicators” or contact a member of the Community Foundation’s team at 772.492.1407.

Weekly Insights: The Buggy Bunch

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The Buggy Bunch is dedicated to building relationships and meeting the needs of Indian River County moms and their families. The organization’s new Family Center opened on April 26, 2021. Since the building was completed, The Buggy Bunch has seen an increase in the number of moms and families engaged in their programs and facilities.

One of the programs operated out of the new center is Playtime in the Loft. This program is designed for mom and children to come at set times during the week for activities in the Learning Loft. This increases social interaction among all participants, as well as the program director and professional staff. Other programs offered at the new facility include Educational Playgroups, Bible studies, bereavement support, marriage enrichment, fitness classes, and teen and single mom’s programming.

The Family Center was made possible with support from Indian River Community Foundation. To learn how your organization could be supported by Indian River Community Foundation, attend a nonprofit grantseekers orientation on the second Tuesday of each month by contacting our grants team at grants@ircommunityfoundation.org or 772.492.1407.

Endowment Partner Spotlight: Youth Sailing of IRC

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The mission of Youth Sailing Foundation is to provide Indian River County with educational, recreational, and competitive sailing programs for all ages in a fun and safe environment. One program the organization uses to achieve their mission is the Squadron Sailing for Elementary and Middle School Students. Over the years, 200 students from Beachland Elementary and Gifford Middle Schools have learned how to safely sail 8-14 foot dinghies.

From a Gifford Middle School mother: “YSF is a Treasure! My daughter, E., is new to the area. We have lived here for only 3 months. She is struggling so badly in her school (GMS) and YSF was a HUGE encouragement for her spirit! It was also a visible blessing of self-confidence! Cheerfully.”

Youth Sailing Foundation is also a part of our Endowment Partners Program (EPP).  The purpose of the EPP is to help local charities plan for their long-term sustainability by growing a permanent endowment fund. During a 12-month program, participants learn about endowments, planned giving, investment management and marketing solutions that inspire loyal donors to make planned gifts from their estates. The program is coordinated by IRCF team member Yamilet Cendejas.

To learn how to give outright contributions today or bequests and other planned gifts for future support, please see “Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy” under our “Giving” section or go to the Youth Sailing Foundation website.

Community Foundation, United Way Join Childcare Resources to Share Insights on Progress, Ongoing Challenges for Indian River County’s Children in Need

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Jeff Pickering, President and CEO of Indian River Community Foundation; Meredith Egan, Executive Director of United Way of IRC with children. Photo by: Maureen Nicolace.

On February 7, Indian River Community Foundation President and CEO, Jeff Pickering, and United Way President and CEO, Meredith Egan, will participate in a panel conversation with nationally recognized early childhood education expert and author of “Not Just Cute: Intentional Whole Child Development,” Amanda Morgan.  The event is part of the annual Starfest event benefiting Childcare Resources of Indian River and the children the organization serves.

In 2020, the Community Foundation and the United Way published the “Indian River County Community Needs Assessment,” which included the results of the most comprehensive survey on the needs of vulnerable individuals and families to be conducted in more than a decade.  Among the report’s findings was evidence of hard-earned progress in efforts to improve the lives of the community’s children which both Pickering and Egan will speak about. 

“Current data and information behind much of the progress documented in the Community Needs Assessment is now featured in a new online resource developed by the Community Foundation called “Indian River Indicators,” said Pickering.  “This tool is being used by local nonprofit charitable organizations, like Childcare Resources, and their advocates to strengthen fundraising efforts and sustain proven programs.” 

Such programs at Childcare Resources that are funded by both the Community Foundation and the United Way have helped to reduce the County’s infant mortality rate by more than 50 percent over the last decade.  They have also helped to produce double digit improvement in the County’s kindergarten readiness and 3rd grade reading proficiency scores during the last 10 years.

“Despite the progress being made to improve the lives of the community’s children, however, perennial systemic challenges persist,” said Egan.  “There are still almost 50 percent of Indian River County’s children who begin elementary school not ready for kindergarten and almost 40 percent who cannot read by 3rd grade.”

Community leaders at the Community Foundation, the United Way and Childcare Resources have organized around efforts like The Children’s Trust Initiative. Its purpose is to develop policy that can address these disparities by providing sufficient public funding to scale up proven programs that improve the lives of children.

Other systemic challenges for the community’s children are more stubborn and require innovation and collaboration by public and private funders to promote promising practices in Indian River County that have not previously existed. Much of the work that Childcare Resources does now in service of professional development, coaching and academic achievement for early childhood educators in our community has been funded by these types of collaborative efforts. 

“Through our Community Enrichment Fund, the Community Foundation has helped Childcare Resources to bring new ideas to market that are extending the organization’s mission beyond those teachers and children just at their school,” said Pickering.  “Both Meredith and I commend Childcare Resources’ board and staff for doing more for the community beyond what we might normally expect. They are true public servants, and we are proud to be funding partners.”

About Indian River Community Foundation

Indian River Community Foundation was established in 2008 with a mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.  With assets of approximately $95 million in 200 charitable giving accounts, the Community Foundation and its clients have awarded more than $85 million in grants, mostly to nonprofit charitable organizations located in Indian River County, Florida.  Visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org to learn more.

About United Way of Indian River County

United Way of Indian River County (UWIRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every community member. United Way works with local programs to provide resources to individuals and families in crisis today while working year-round to improve community conditions and create lasting solutions. We are effectively building a solid foundation and improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Visit www.unitedwayirc.org to learn more.

About Childcare Resources of Indian River

Childcare Resources elevates and promotes the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County, focusing on economically challenged children and families.  Visit www.childcareresourcesir.org to learn more.