(Vero Beach, Fla.  – October 1, 2019) When Scott Alexander recently ended his final term on the board of directors of Indian River Community Foundation he was given the honor of selecting the recipient of the Chairman’s Nonprofit Leadership Award in recognition of his service as past chairman. In doing so, Alexander chose Angelia Perry, Executive Director of Gifford Youth Achievement Center (“GYAC”), as the recipient of a $2,500 grant to be used for her own organization’s professional development.

            “The Community Foundation’s mission is to build a better community through donor-driven philanthropy,” said Alexander.  “As a past board chair of GYAC, I have worked with Angelia for years. I believe she has produced the kind of “better” results the Community Foundation looks for as a measure of its mission.

            The Gifford Youth Achievement Center works to support Gifford youth to develop self-esteem, character and reach their ultimate potential.  Its main programs serve more than 300 youth per day through after school enrichment activities including homework assistance and tutoring.  Since 2008, the Community Foundation and its clients have awarded GYAC more than $1.3 million in grants, including $100,000 in 2018 to support a facility expansion and $50,000 in 2014 to help establish the Boys to Men to Greatness Program.

            “I am honored to be recognized by the Community Foundation,” said Perry.  “Scott Alexander and I have achieved quite a lot together, so I am particularly appreciative that his award came at his recommendation.” Perry plans to use grant funds associated with the award to help GYAC with its ongoing strategic planning process.

Indian River Community Foundation was established in 2008 with a mission of building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.  With assets of almost $70 million in 170 charitable giving accounts, the Community Foundation and its clients have awarded more than $60 million in grants, mostly to nonprofit charitable organizations located in Indian River County, Florida.  Visit www.ircommunityfoundation.org to learn more.

The United Way of Indian River County and other groups are launching a Community Needs Assessment to get a handle on the scale of poverty and social need in an area that is very near the top of a national list that calculates income inequality.

Although Vero Beach is renowned for its beachside beauty and the affluence of its island residents, there is another side to the story. According to the United Way, 51 percent of Indian River County households struggle to pay for such basic necessities as food, housing and childcare. 

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The School District of Indian River County has begun its search for the new superintendent. One of the first steps of the search is to collect input from the community. This input will assist in developing a leadership profile that defines the qualities, characteristics, and leadership traits that the community wants to see in the new superintendent.

To share your input compete the Community Survey, or attend the Community Forum September 9th, 2019 at 6:00-7:00pm ET at the JA Thompson Administrative Center Joe N. Idlette, Jr. TEC
6500 57th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.

The Forum is an open invitation to all.

Indian River Community Foundation recommends giving to one or more of the following organizations offering relief in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian’s impact.   These organizations are highlighted because they have existing operations or chapters in the region, the ability to incorporate a large influx of donations, and a strong, established record of excellence in disaster relief services.

Following a natural disaster, there can be an increased risk of fraud committed by individuals preying upon the good intentions of people wanting to help; donors should take care that the organizations they are supporting are legitimate. Indian River Community Foundation makes grants only to IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, such as the organizations below.

American Red Cross:  https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-dorian-donations.html/

Global Giving:  https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-dorian-relief-fund/

United Way of Miami-Dade, the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald and Univision 23 have activated Operation Helping Hands to help with relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts:  https://unitedwaymiami.org/

Additional information about the progress of disaster relief efforts and support for long-term solutions can be found at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy: https://disasterphilanthropy.org/

This information will be updated as more is learned about Hurricane Dorian’s impact on other areas.

In anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, Indian River Community Foundation’s office will close Friday August 30^th at 12:00pm.  The office will be closed for the weekend, the Labor Day holiday and likely on Tuesday September 3^rd.

Disaster preparedness information for Indian River County, Florida residents can be found by clicking here to view Indian River County’s website.  If you require assistance with your charitable giving account during an extended office closure, please contact our donor services team in Kansas City, MO toll free 1-866-627-3440 or support@greaterhorizons.org.