The St. Joe Community Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation”) approved 270 grants totaling more than $5.37 million in 2024, its 25th year of awarding grants, to be paid to local non-profit organizations serving Bay and Walton Counties. In total, the Foundation has now granted more than $48 million since 1999 to 501(C)(3) organizations dedicated to making a positive difference in Northwest Florida.
Upholding its mission to enrich the quality of life for the people who live, work and play in Northwest Florida, the Foundation provides grants to other local non-profit entities that strive to strengthen education, improve healthcare, support cultural arts, and protect the environment. By category, the Foundation’s 2024 grant awards included a total of more than $2.92 million for education, $939,000 for healthcare, $728,000 for community outreach programs, $532,000 for cultural arts, and $250,000 for environmental programs.
“As we reflect on the grants provided in 2024 and throughout the past 25 years, it’s inspiring to see how the Foundation’s contributions have directly enhanced the quality of life for so many in Northwest Florida,” said April Wilkes, Executive Director of the Foundation. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the tangible outcomes of these grants—whether it’s through expanded services, improved opportunities, or lasting change—that continue to uplift and empower our community.”
Examples of local non-profits receiving grants from the Foundation in 2024 include Bay Arts Alliance and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Bay Education Foundation, Bay Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation, Walton Education Foundation, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, Nemours Foundation, Panama City Symphony Orchestra, Special Olympics Florida, Florida State University Foundation, Gulf Coast State College Foundation, Florida State Parks Foundation, Guy Harvey Foundation, Angel House, and many others. (A full list of grant recipients can be found at www.joefoundation.com.)
“We are incredibly proud of the lasting impact the Foundation has made in supporting nonprofit organizations across Northwest Florida, especially as we are celebrating the Foundation’s 25th anniversary,” said Jorge Gonzalez, member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “The Foundation’s commitment goes beyond just providing grants—it’s about a legacy of a rising tide lifts all boats, improving the quality of life, and strengthening the fabric of our community. Together, we are building a brighter future for the people of Northwest Florida, one organization at a time.”
The Foundation also recently relaunched its website to include a new design, video and written testimonials, grant highlights and guidelines and an easy-to-download grant application. To apply for a grant, or to learn more about the Foundation visit the new website at www.joefoundation.com.
About The St. Joe Community Foundation: The St Joe Community Foundation’s mission is to enrich the quality of life of the people who live, work, and play in Northwest Florida. Created in 1999, the Foundation provides grants to other 501(C)(3) entities for the areas of education, environmental stewardship, building healthier communities, and programs that honor the cultural arts. The Foundation is funded exclusively by a transfer fee on the sale of real estate in certain communities and resorts St Joe develops. This fee applies the first time a property is sold, and on each resale. The Foundation is a separate entity from The St. Joe Company and has a separate Board of Trustees. www.joefoundation.com
Foundation Contact:
April Wilkes
Executive Director
The St. Joe Community Foundation
April.wilkes@joe.com