Giving back is at the heart of the Greater Gainesville community, and there are hundreds of nonprofit organizations in which to participate. This thriving community consists of caring and passionate residents as well as universities, museums and private businesses, all committed to doing their part to lift others up and make the world a better place.
For those who want to help, there are many different ways to get involved. From monetary donations to volunteer shifts, there is no shortage of opportunities to contribute to the wonderful local nonprofits and philanthropic organizations inspiring hope and instituting real change in GG.
EDUCATION
University of Florida Advancement
The University of Florida is one of GG’s largest employers and businesses. It also has a long history of giving back to the community. Originally founded in 1934 as University of Florida Endowment Corp., UF Advancement handles fundraising for the school and engages alumni, students, parents, foundations and corporations to partner and move the school forward. The foundation has several branches that accept donations for causes such as bladder cancer research, Parkinson’s research, memorial scholarships and sports endowments.
The nonprofit Santa Fe College Foundation encourages and sustains long-term relationships with donors who support the mission and vision of the college to help bring about transformational change in the community. It accepts donations that go toward scholarships as well as funding facilities and program enhancements. During the 2021-22 school year, the foundation awarded approximately $1.6 million to students through more than 670 scholarships. The community also benefits from the work of the SFCF with the Spring Arts Festival, fine arts programs, community cultural enrichment programs, innovative facilities and events and performances.
Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship
This scholarship is also part of the University of Florida and aims to help first-generation, low-income students cover the costs of their education. It provides funding for all tuition, living expenses and books for students who are the first in their family to attend college.
This new nonprofit organization is a marriage between the arts and mental health. Founded by mural artist Jenna Horner, Mindful Messages is a series of murals in schools throughout Florida with the intention of providing positive words and imagery.
For more information about the movement or how to get involved, go to https://www.jennahorner.com/.
The PACE Center for Girls is designed to help young “at-promise” women find guidance and tools to help them reach their maximum potential. For 25 years, PACE has helped more than 1,500 girls ages 11-17 overcome various risk factors and succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
Striving to provide tomorrow’s life lessons today, Junior Achievement shows millions of students across the nation each year how to succeed in the global economy of the 21st Century. Through community volunteers in classrooms, JA instructs kids in financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills and career readiness to inspire enterprising young minds and lead by example. This nonprofit provides many programs from elementary to high school students.
TECH NONPROFITS
Innovation is at the core of any successful business venture, and startGNV makes fostering innovation its mission. The nonprofit is dedicated to growing the GG’s innovation ecosystem. startGNV is heavily involved in the tech community and helps startups get their feet off the ground and promote small business’ success. They host events like the Startup Sprint — think “Shark Tank” — where attendees can pitch their startup ideas for prizes.
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
Think. Meet. Be. These are the foundational themes of Gainesville’s Cade Museum for Creativity & Innovation, a hands-on science museum located by Depot Park.
Named for the eponymous founder of Gatorade, the Cade Museum is committed to transforming communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs and visionaries. The museum hosts regular exhibits and offers summer camps and virtual lectures, as well as provides opportunities for low-income and underserved communities.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
GRACE Marketplace’s mission is to end homelessness in Greater Gainesville. It achieves that goal by removing the usual barriers that keep the homeless from getting help. They provide shelter, job resources and permanent housing solutions to the people who need it the most, as well as a culinary training program. The training program thus provides more than 400 meals per day through their cafe. They also run the GRACE Boutique, which provides job-appropriate clothing through donations for their patrons
For the past 35 years, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank has served the community and surrounding area by sorting, collecting and distributing food and necessities to those in need. Their network includes more than 170 nonprofits, ranging from churches to food shelters and food pantries. It provides food to school pantries, children, families and senior citizens, as well as its partner organizations.
ANIMALS
Equine therapy is becoming more popular across the country, and North Central Florida is no different. HOPE: Horses Helping People is located in Archer and was founded in 2000. This organization provides therapy with horses to enrich the lives of people with disabilities. They also have occupational therapy programs as well as programs for children, veterans, senior citizens and breast cancer survivors.
Humane Society of North Central Florida
The Humane Society of North Central Florida is a collaboration among Alachua County Humane Society, Gainesville Pet Rescue and Helping Hands Pet Rescue. These forces joined together for the greater good of animals in 2018 and have individually been community resources for more than 40 years.
The Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, meaning that un-adopted animals are not euthanized. They hold adoption events throughout the area and fundraising events such as Woofstock and the Bourbon Fundraiser. They also offer a thrift store, with all proceeds going back to the Humane Society.
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
The Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary provides high-quality care and sanctuary for New World monkeys retired from laboratory research, monkeys who have been confiscated by the authorities, and pet monkeys who have given up by their owners. The sanctuary offers these former pets and lab animals a safe place to spend their lives. Donations are accepted, and residents can also sponsor a monkey. Jungle Friends is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association and The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
HEALTH CARE
Tyler’s Hope For a Dystonia Cure
Sometimes seeing the face behind the cause makes it real. In the case of dystonia, a neurological disorder, the face is that of Gainesville resident Tyler Staab. Tyler was diagnosed with the disease at the age of seven. Dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that force certain parts of the body into abnormal and painful movements or postures. With the support of his family, Tyler established Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure to aid in the research and potential eradication of dystonia.
Through various fundraising events, giving days and tight association with the nation’s top dystonia doctors and researchers, Tyler’s Hope has made and continues to make significant progress in its quest for a cure. Donating, volunteering or even just spreading awareness of this lesser-known disorder are all welcomed and encouraged.
The American Heart Association of Alachua County promotes and educates on all things health and heart related. It offers educational information about heart conditions, prevention techniques, lifestyle tips and other resources.
According to its website, the AHA has invested nearly $5 billion in research funding since 1949 and trains 16 million people in CPR per year. Since February 2018, they have reported a 13.6% decrease in stroke deaths and a 15.1% decrease in heart disease deaths. With options to get involved or donate, the AHA is always looking for help.
The Helping Hands Clinic of Gainesville provides free healthcare to low-income residents and the homeless. Roughly 140 health professionals including social workers, physicians and registered nurses volunteer their time to offer their services. They hold afternoon and evening clinic hours on Mondays and Thursdays for the low-income and homeless, as well as eye care and mental health services.
Planning for end-of-life or palliative care is not an easy process, and Haven Hospice is here to help people through it. Known for its high-quality level of care this not-for-profit organization performs their services for any patient, regardless of the ability to pay.
Haven Hospice has locations in more than 18 different counties. Each one is locally run and supported by their respective communities. Volunteers of all sorts are welcomed- from those performing music or bringing in pets to visit, to administrative support and donations. Fundraisers and memorial gifts are also accepted.
ElderCare of Alachua County is committed to its mission to be an advocate for the elderly in Alachua County and North Central Florida, providing services that will maximize their independence and enrich the quality of their lives. They offer adult daycare for people ages 18 and older who have Alzheimer’s Disease or memory impairment. ElderCare also offers meal delivery for seniors, a senior activity center, training for adults with vision problems, a Parkinson’s exercise program and more.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Keep Alachua County Beautiful is a proud member of Keep America Beautiful and has been a positive force in the community for 30 years. Multiple projects throughout the year include graffiti abatement, adopt-a-road, community gardens and an after-school environmental program.
Every year since membership with Keep America Beautiful, they have earned the KAB President’s Circle Recognition Award.
With more than 1,600 farms and 340,000 acres, the Alachua County Farm Bureau is dedicated to supporting local farmers and ranchers. It provides a bridge between county, state and national farm bureaus to help preserve farmland and property rights for those who grow food for residents. It also offers youth programs to increase awareness for farmer and ranchers’ rights and inspire future generations of growers.
These nonprofit and philanthropic organizations are just a sampling of what is available in the GG community. For more information about what is available locally, go to thephilanthropyhub.org.