Coming off another successful campaign, the John’s Island Foundation is filling the coffers of Indian River County nonprofit agencies with grants totaling $732,590 to fund much-needed capital expenses. When combined with more than $950,000 in grants provided by the John’s Island Community Service League, as well as private funding by individuals to various organizations they support, the generosity of John’s Island residents is unparalleled when it comes to enriching the lives of the less fortunate in this community.
“I am extremely proud of the John’s Island Foundation and the John’s Island community in general for their generosity,” said Ken Wessel, who will replace Jim Johnson as JIF president in June. “I think that the foundation and the deliberate way it goes about determining which agency is worthy of its request is a tribute to the agencies and to the donors.”
Unlike the Service League, which fundraises primarily through events and Tambourine Thrift Shop revenue, the foundation raises its money through two mailings.
“We’re hoping to expand our donor base,” said Wessel. His former position as development chair will be filled by Emily Sherwood. “It’s been an absolute pleasure for me; the people here are very pleasant to work with. Most of them have had careers already and they’re anxious to be of assistance the best they can to the people in need in Indian River County.”
Jay Anglada will continue as grant review chair this year and they’ve invited Pat Brier, fresh off a successful year as JICSL grants chair, to join the board with a view to having her take over when he steps down.
“That committee is the lynchpin between the foundation and the community at large,” said Wessel. “The work that they do is so important because it justifies to the donors where we put their money and it justifies to the agencies that request it what requirements they must meet to apply for the funds.”
Wessel said each application is reviewed on its own merit, and whether they fund the request or not will try to assist them however possible. This past year they were able to provide emergency funding to Epic Mission when their roof was destroyed from Hurricane Matthew, and in this grant process provided additional funding for an electrical upgrade and a vehicle.
“The needs of the people in Indian River County are great. We have a lot of poverty; a lot of problems. It’s great that the John’s Island Foundation is able to help some of these entities,” said Don Dussing, who has served on the review committee for at least five years, as a captain for four. “It’s kind of fun when you do it for a number of years and you can see some of the good that came out of the previous gifts we’ve given.”
As an example, he said several years ago they provided the Samaritan Center with hurricane shutters, which “saved their bacon” during Hurricane Matthew.
“It isn’t a matter of being unclean; bedbugs are becoming more resistant to insecticides. It’s a chronic problem when you have turnover of rooms at homeless shelters and even major hotel chains,” said Dussing. “Believe it or not bed bugs get right into the wood. It’s some of the things you learn when you go on these site visits. The wood has to be a special type to avoid the infestation.”
Although grants this year were provided to three new agencies, there are many who have not yet made contact.
“We would love to see more agencies apply for money,” said Dussing. “Not that we have more money but we would like to make the best use of the funding that we have.”
