Ruckus Inspires robotics club receives a $5,000 grant
12/12/2025 The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys is pleased to announce a new round of grants totaling $137,360 to support programs serving women, children, and youth in the Middle Keys. These grants were recommended by an anonymous donor who holds a Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation and who is committed to strengthening organizations that assist individuals in crisis and expand opportunities for young people.
The grants will support a range of programs designed to help women and children in crisis, address basic needs, and expand youth enrichment opportunities throughout the Middle Keys. Awards include:
- Christina’s Courage — $4,360
Support for trauma-informed services for survivors of sexual violence in the Florida Keys. Funding will strengthen the operations of the region’s only rape crisis center by providing safety upgrades, survivor comfort items, and essential medications, ensuring that 24/7 advocacy, forensic exams, and a healing environment remain available for those in crisis. - Domestic Abuse Shelter — $10,000
Assistance for core operating expenses that allow the shelter to continue providing safety, stability, and support for women and children escaping domestic violence. The organization has experienced significant reductions in federal, state, and local funding, and this grant helps sustain services during a period of heightened need. - Womankind — $30,000
As the only dedicated women’s health provider serving the Middle Keys, this support will offset care delivery and the rising costs of medications and lab services, ensuring that uninsured and low-income women continue their access to family planning, gynecology, and prenatal services at a time when affordability is most at risk. - Presents in Paradise — $10,000
Support for “Rick’s Closet,” which provides essential items for children from the Lower Keys through the Upper Keys. These include clothing, shoes, bedding, diapers, hygiene products, backpacks, and school supplies. While distributions peak during the holiday season to strengthen positive family experiences, emergency assistance for foster children and youth in crisis is available year-round. - Educational Coalition for Monroe County — $30,000
Funding for the Champions for Change Teen Weekend Food Bag and Basic Needs Program. Students facing food insecurity receive weekly bags filled with easy-to-prepare meals such as shelf-stable milk, cereal, soups, macaroni and cheese, and snacks. Additional support may include toiletries, school supplies, and other basic needs for students living in poverty or special circumstances. - Growing Hope Foundation — $5,000
Revitalization and expansion of youth education programs at Grimal Grove, now officially recognized as the Keys’ Tropical Fruit Education and Research Center. The grant will help strengthen partnerships and create hands-on learning experiences for young people across the Middle and Lower Keys. - Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation — $7,500
Support for the Casting Futures program, which takes local youth onto the water for guided fishing and marine conservation experiences. The program helps young people build confidence, connect with nature, and develop an understanding of their role in conserving the Keys’ marine ecosystems. - Ruckus Inspires — $5,000
Support for Team Ruckus, a community-based robotics program that competes in regional events and provides free STEM education for youth. Funding will help cover travel, equipment, robotics parts, registration fees, meals, and the purchase of dedicated laptops and a 3D printer so students can design, create, and troubleshoot their own builds. - South Florida Symphony Orchestra — $23,500
Support for Symphony in the Schools, presenting “250 Years of the Declaration of Independence” for students across Monroe County. The program brings music education and live symphonic performances to schools in Marathon (and throughout the Keys) helping young audiences connect history, music, and the arts. - Tennessee Williams Theatre — $12,000
Expansion of the Children’s Outreach Performance Series to reach students and families in Marathon. Participation is expected to increase from 3,000 attendees in Key West to more than 7,000 across the Keys.
These grants are being included as part of this year’s In Paradise for Good community grants program. With the addition of this donor’s contributions, the Foundation’s 2025 competitive and advised grants now total $1,033,081 for nonprofits across the Florida Keys.
“This donor’s thoughtful support reflects a deep commitment to the wellbeing of families in the Middle Keys,” said Elizabeth Brown, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “These grants strengthen services for women and children in crisis, and expand programs that help young people feel supported, inspired, and connected.”
The Community Foundation expresses its appreciation to the donor for elevating the reach of this year’s grants program and for choosing to invest in organizations that make the Middle Keys a stronger, healthier place for children and families.