When nonprofit organizations seek grants to fund their capital expenses, the foremost group they consider is the John’s Island Foundation. The foundation provides Core Grants, Leadership Grants and Emergency/Accelerated Grants, all specifically targeting capital expenditures, to nonprofits whose services are related to food, shelter, disabilities, health, aging, abuse or education. At a lovely Leadership Cocktail Reception at the John’s Island Beach Club, board president Don Steiner welcomed everyone on behalf of the foundation. He noted that in attendance were sponsors, who had underwritten the evening, donors, members of the board and the site teams, who review and determine grant allocations, all of whom have enabled another year of providing economic support to the community. “We appreciate your support, your generosity, and your work,” said Steiner in appreciation. “This year, our requests for grants have increased 25 percent over last year,” he added. It comes as a direct result, he said, of a continuing increase in the cost of living, including food, fuel, housing, childcare and transportation. At the same time, government funded programs, such as for health care and SNAP, have decreased, creating an even greater burden to lower income residents. “As a result, we have had requests this year for a little over $3 million in grants compared with a record last year of $2.4 million. So that’s a 30 percent increase,” said Steiner. [Note: The JIF 2025 distribution of $2.466 million to 24 nonprofits was itself a 45 percent increase over 2024.] “Every time we give a grant, we try and help the organization reach its goals,” said Steiner. He introduced Judith Cruz, executive director of the Treasure Coast Food Bank, which this year received a $300,000 commitment from the foundation. “It’s a beautiful evening, surrounded by beautiful, generous people that have supported Treasure Coast Food Bank for the last 15 years that I’ve been with the organization,” said Cruz, before offering thanks. She said that their investment benefits the futures of local residents in need of food assistance and other services through their holistic approach to services. “We provide 21 different programs, and we do that through partner agencies. In Indian River County, we work with over 70 agencies on a weekly basis,” said Cruz. “The $300,000 investment is going to our new building, and that will allow us to increase the number of agencies we’re able to support on a weekly basis here in Indian River County.” Cruz said last year, their organization provided almost 14 million meals to more than 68,000 people in our county, adding that the foundation grant is an investment in the health, wellness and overall well-being of the community. “I want to thank you again and I want to invite you all to come and visit your food bank,” said Cruz. For more information visit JohnsIslandFoundation.org. <em>Photos by Joshua Kodis</em> [gallery ids="233589,233590,233591,233592,233593,233594,233595,233596,233597,233598,233599,233600,233601,233602,233603,233604,233605,233606,233607,233608,233609,233610,233611,233613,233614,233615,233616,233617,233618,233619,233620,233621,233622,233623"]