Elicia Pintabona, executive director of the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League (SHAL), talks about how CFFK Emergency Relief Funds are being used to provide clothes and shoes for homeless individuals during the pandemic. ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Week – Cliff Rydell and Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys. ... See MoreSee Less
Alicia Johnson, vice president of Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County, talks about how they are using CFFK Emergency Relief Funds to provide pet food, pet medicines and medical services to help animals in the Upper Keys during the pandemic. ... See MoreSee Less
How charitable were Americans last year? Donations from the nation’s individuals, estates, foundations and corporations all increased giving to U.S. charities in 2019 by contributing $449.6 billion, according to the recently released “Giving USA Annual Report.” Gifts from foundations increased by 2.5% -- to 17% overall. Charitable giving from individuals increased to 69% and has grown in four of the last five years. Bequests made up 10% of all giving and corporations 5%. See what sectors benefited the most in the graphic below. You can also learn more at givingusa.org. ... See MoreSee Less
Happy Independence Day! Today we’re reminded that the Keys are filled with generous and caring people helping to improve the lives of others. Enjoy the holiday with your family and friends. ... See MoreSee Less
Rosa Nafrere, of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Keys Area, talks about how CFFK Emergency Relief Funds are being used to provide medical and educational supplies for the reopening of the clubs. ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Week – Larry Nolt and Guidance/Care Center. ... See MoreSee Less
Ann Sandlin, executive director of Marr-Velous Pet Rescue and Adoptions, talks about how their services, supported by a grant from CFFK's Emergency Relief Fund, are providing pet food and medicines to help pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. ... See MoreSee Less
We’re pleased to announce the election of civic leader Dr. Susanne Woods as CFFK’s Board Chair for 2020-21. Susanne has led an accomplished career in higher education at distinguished universities across the country in both faculty and top administrative positions. In addition, congratulations to board members named as officers on CFFK’s executive committee: John DeWald (vice chair – investment), Will Langley (vice chair - development), Greg Oropeza (vice chair - grants), Ken Silverman (treasurer and vice chair – finance), Rosi Ware (vice chair - marketing), and Jodi Weinhofer (secretary). Retiring Chair Ron Burd, who served two terms leading CFFK’s board, is now serving as the vice chair in charge of governance. (Dr. Woods photo by Peter Arnow) ... See MoreSee Less
This year, the Hemingway Look-A-Like Society sponsored new scholarships at CFFK to advance educational opportunities for our community’s youth. Savannah Iglesias is the recipient of the new $1,500 Kermit Shine Forbes Scholarship to be used for attending College of the Florida Keys. Two recent KWHS graduates each received $1,500 Opportunity Scholarships from the Society to pursue higher education: Jillian Duclo and Hunter Oropeza. Congratulations to all recipients. ... See MoreSee Less
As situations in our community continue to change daily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response, please know we’re here to help. CFFK's Emergency Relief Fund is continuing to accept donations for relief efforts, including food and supplies. If you’re able to help those out of work, families and others who are most economically affected by the crisis, please donate to the Relief Fund at cffk.org/help or let others know who may be able to assist. All funds are being distributed and 100% of all donations are going directly to aid. Working together...In Paradise For Good. ... See MoreSee Less
Michael Cunningham, CEO of Keys AHEC, discusses how they are providing increased health services during the COVID-19 pandemic to those needing primary care throughout the Keys. ... See MoreSee Less
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Week – Lisa Bradeen and FL Keys History and Discovery Foundation ... See MoreSee Less
Building a better future! Several Keys residents and community leaders have created a new scholarship fund at CFFK to help address the need for diversity among local educators and build relationships with children of all races to end racial stereotypes. The new Phyllis Allen Teacher Recruitment Fund at CFFK will provide funds for students of diverse backgrounds to pursue an education degree and return to Key West for their careers. The fund is named after lifelong Key West resident and 50-year educator in Monroe County, Phyllis Allen. Kudos to Christine Dalton-Godlewski, Billy Davis, and others for creating the new fund. Chris (pictured below) and CFFK President Jennifer McComb talked about the new scholarship on US1 Radio this morning (Chris with host Bill Becker, bottom left, and Jennifer with host Chuck Thomas, bottom right). Special thanks to the Marion Stevens Fund for also supporting this effort. You can learn more and make a donation at cffk.org/diversity. ... See MoreSee Less
Great job to the young poets who are this year’s winners of the Robert Frost Poetry Contest for Kids and Teens, hosted by The Studios of Key West. Made possible by funds from the Jeane and Jessie Porter Memorial Fund at CFFK, the annual contest was created in Robert Frost’s honor to nurture and develop the interests of young poets. Hundreds of entries were received from students ages 6 to 15 from Key West to Key Largo and three top prizes and three honorable mentions were awarded in each category. The students were honored recently in a virtual ceremony (pictured). You can see the list of winners and read their poems at tskw.org. Congratulations! ... See MoreSee Less
Stephanie Kaple, executive director of The Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, talks about how their program is helping those residents most economically impacted by COVID-19 by providing monthly assistance for medical care, childcare, food, transportation, and more. ... See MoreSee Less
CFFK and its generous donors awarded $45,500 to 15 deserving KWHS students through scholarships to continue their education and awards in recognition of their academic achievements. Congratulations to the three recent KWHS graduates who are the recipients of the Hamilton Family Scholarship Awards and the Boyd’s Key West Campground Scholarship Award: Meggie Iarrobino was awarded $3,000, Jasmine Sander was awarded $2,000, and Alexis Sturm was awarded $1,000. The Hamilton Family Funds were established at CFFK to recognize academic achievement and are investments in future young leaders. ... See MoreSee Less
Bravo to Star of the Sea Foundation – recipient of a special CFFK grant award! Outgoing Chair Ron Burd asked retiring board member Ann Reynolds to choose the nonprofit to receive the $500 grant from the special CFFK Chair’s Award Fund. Ann chose SOS Foundation, which provides food and other goods and services to needy residents of the Keys. The Chair’s Award Fund was established by the Board to honor the outgoing chair with a grant to a local charity of his or her choice. The first grant in 2010 was made to Friends of the AIDS Memorial, chosen by outgoing chair Jon Allen. (Photo courtesy SOS). ... See MoreSee Less
Happy 100th Birthday to one of our Community Foundation family members, Betty Desbiens. Betty is one of CFFK’s top donors, a long-time supporter and Foundation Society member. She helps many causes in the Keys and is especially passionate about and a supporter of Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Happy Birthday to a generous and true community leader! ... See MoreSee Less
Grants from the Florida Keys Emergency Relief Fund at CFFK are providing Keys residents with food, housing, rent assistance, health care services, and more. Scott Pridgen, executive director of AHMonroe talks about how the organization is helping crisis-impacted residents with rent assistance, food vouchers, emergency housing, and more. ... See MoreSee Less
