Safe Families for Children (SFFC)  was founded in 2003 to host vulnerable children and create extended family-like support for struggling, isolated families through a community of devoted volunteers to keep children safe and families together. Indian River Community Foundation recently awarded Safe Families for Children...

United Against Poverty works to inspire and empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency. The organization serves those in poverty by providing crisis care, case management, transformative education, food and household subsidy, employment training and placement, personal empowerment training and...

In partnership with Vero Beach Magazine, Indian River Community Foundation’s President and CEO, Jeff Pickering, writes a monthly column called Indian River Insights. These articles explore the root causes of community needs, celebrate successes, analyze meaningful solutions, and offer insights into persistent challenges. In the April 2026...

“Why don’t they just get a job?” We’ve all heard someone say that when they see a homeless person asking for help by the side of the road. When Chris Harbolt, outreach case manager for Homeless Services Council (HSC), sees that question in an online...

“Are you new to Vero?” the greeter asks. “No,” the woman answers. She’s wearing black jeans and a cute top, and her shoulder length blond hair shows just a little gray. She could be any middle-aged woman out running errands, stopping to pick up some...

Imagine the following scenario: A pregnant woman living in her car gives birth at the local hospital. She is on a waiting list for a homeless shelter, but there won’t be space available for a few weeks. The hospital can’t send a newborn home with...

Photo by Joshua Kodis Indian River Community Foundation is making history with a bold investment in the future of arts and community access in Vero Beach. In what leaders are calling a “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” the Foundation has awarded a $2 million discretionary grant—its largest ever—to...

McKee Botanical Garden is Vero Beach’s first and oldest award-winning attraction. Founded in 1932, the Garden was created to preserve Florida’s native hammock and showcase rare tropical plants from around the world. This month, the community foundation staff visited McKee Botanical Garden. They learned about...

It’s never easy to run the lead agency for the Treasure Coast Continuum of Care or to operate as one of the few local landlords willing to rent to chronically homeless tenants. But last November, actions taken by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban...

The nesting instinct typically peaks in a pregnant woman’s third trimester. That’s when many expecting parents, fueled by adrenaline and joyful anticipation, turn their attention to preparing the baby’s nursery. Every question feels monumental. Which crib should I buy? Where will we change our baby’s...