Indian River Community Foundation

Building A Better Community Through Donor-Driven Philanthropy

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Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club Issues Request for Proposals

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Head Heart Hands Logo

Thanks to the generous contributions from the residents and members of the Indian River Club, Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club (HHH) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP).

To read the full request for proposals, please click here.

The application process begins with a Letter of Idea (“LOI”) due August 31, 2021.

The Head, Heart and Hands Community Outreach program, formed in 2013, utilizes a multi-faceted approach. The “Head” focuses on learning more about community needs, the “Heart” through philanthropy and the “Hands” through volunteerism.

Indian River Community Foundation is proud to partner with Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club to process and distribute annual grants. 

Indian River Community Foundation Welcomes New Directors, Officers

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  • Suzanne Bertman
  • Wanda Lincoln
  • Dawn Michael
  • Angelia Perry

The Board of Directors of Indian River Community Foundation recently elected four new directors to serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2021.

Joining the Community Foundation’s board are new directors Suzanne Bertman, Wanda Lincoln, Dawn Michael, and Angelia Perry.  Mrs. Bertman is retired and serves on the Honorary Board of Directors for Impact 100, Mrs. Lincoln is retired and serves as a volunteer with Quail Valley Charities, Mrs. Michael is retired and serves on the United Way Foundation Board and the Senior Resources Association Board, Ms. Perry is Executive Director of the Gifford Youth Achievement Center.

The following officers were also elected: Michael McManus, Chairman; Katy Healy, Vice Chairman; Deb Lockwood, Treasurer; and Dale Jacobs, Secretary.

Indian River Community Foundation was established in 2008 with a mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.  With assets of approximately $90 million in 200 charitable giving accounts, the Community Foundation and its clients have awarded more than $80 million in grants to nonprofit charitable organizations in Indian River County, Florida and around the world. Visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org to learn more.

Community Foundation Awards $175,000 to Five Local Nonprofits

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Indian River Community Foundation awarded grants totaling $175,000 to nonprofit charitable organizations serving Indian River County.  The grants were reviewed by a Grants Committee comprised of volunteers Pat Brier, Toni Hamner, Dale Jacobs, Ed Massey, Sandy Rolf, and Larry Salustro.  The grants were awarded from the Community Enrichment Fund, and included the following:

Check Presentation to United Against Poverty from Indian River Community Foundation.
Check Presentation to The Hope for Families Center from Indian River Community Foundation.
Check Presentation to Youth Sailing Foundation from Indian River Community Foundation.
Check Presentation to SafeSpace from Indian River Community Foundation.

While most of the Community Foundation’s grants are awarded by clients through donor advised funds, Indian River Community Foundation’s competitive grant program is made possible through the generosity of anonymous donors to several grantmaking funds, including the Community Enrichment Fund.  These valuable resources support the Community Foundation’s mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.

Indian River Community Foundation was established in 2008 with a mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.  With assets of approximately $90 million in 200 charitable giving accounts, the Community Foundation and its clients have awarded more than $80 million in grants, mostly to nonprofit charitable organizations located in Indian River County, Florida.  Visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org to learn more.

Photo Identifications in this Article

Feed the Lambs: Jaci Ruppert and Larry Salustro (far left) representing Indian River Community Foundation, and Keshia Leriche and Kenya May (far right) of Feed the Lambs Enrichment Program, with the kids participating in this year’s summer camp. Photo by Maureen Nicolace.

United Against Poverty: George Cooper, Barbara Lowry, Matt Tanner and Gwendolyn Butson of United Against Poverty, with Jaci Ruppert and Larry Salustro representing Indian River Community Foundation. Photo by Maureen Nicolace.

Youth Sailing Foundation: Stu Keiller, Youth Sailing Foundation Executive Director, and Jeff Pickering, Indian River Community Foundation CEO. Photo by Maureen Nicolace.

The Hope for Families: Indian River Community Foundation CEO Jeff Pickering with Hope for Families Executive Director Diana Grossi. Photo by Maureen Nicolace.

SafeSpace: Chiaka Nwosu representing Indian River Community Foundation. Representing SafeSpace: Elizabeth Southers, Development Coordinator; Linda Hengerer, Board Member; Richard Boga, Board Member; Nancy Wong, Board Member; Erica Snowberger, Board Member; Providence Piekara, Director of Finance; Charlotte Anderson-Brown, Director of Operations; Dr. Teresa Albizu, Chief Executive Officer. Photo by Xander Sylvia.

Intern Outing- Coastal Connections Turtle Release

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By: Alexander Sylvia

Sea Turtles are an endangered species, yet they are a staple in Florida’s ecosystem. I was lucky enough to actually meet one of these beautiful animals at a public turtle release through Coastal Connections. Coastal Connections has a mission of helping not only sea turtles, but helping the entire Indian River County ecosystem. Beyond turtle conservation, Coastal Connections is also involved in environmental education, plastic waste reduction, and Indian River Lagoon Conservation. I got the privilege to go to a public turtle release, where they publicly say goodbye to turtle that has recently been rehabilitated. The turtle, named Turtsiops, was found two months ago with a lot of predator damage and a nasty infection. After rehabilitated at the turtle healing center in the Brevard Zoo, he was released back into the ocean on the beach where he was found. Turtsiops is a green turtle, and a small one at that. Fun fact, his name comes from the Latin name for dolphins, because he was found on World Dolphin Day.

Photos by Joseph Rimkus

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Data for a Difference: Community Foundation Launches New Resource to Measure Health, Prosperity of Local Community

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Indian River Community Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Indian River Indicators. This new program originated after the completion of the 2019 Indian River Community Needs Assessment and 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 informational sessions every Tuesday at 4pm via Zoom to introduce the community to this new resource. Please email chiaka@ircommunityfoundation.org to attend a session.

Click here to read an article from the June edition of Vero Beach Magazine that describes the new program.  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.