We Rise by Lifting Others

Alachua County is one of the counties with the most charity in Florida, with more than 1,800 nonprofits based in the county, significantly more than the state median of 596. As a community home to a large public land-grant university, many Greater Gainesville residents are actively engaged with nonprofits as employees, volunteers or donors. There are more than 4,968 nonprofit organizations in North Central Florida alone, making it easy to find a nonprofit for any cause. Nonprofits donate food and supplies to those in need in our community, work toward improving our environment, provide sustainable food, help support and educate at-risk youth and grow and sustain arts and culture. Unfortunately, this past year has taken its hit on local charities, and these organizations need further assistance to continue supporting their efforts. The irony is that these struggles come at a time when people have needed help from these organizations more than ever.

Some of the standout organizations over the past year have creatively navigated through the pandemic to support the local community. Among those are Working Food Gainesville. This nonprofit is committed to supporting the local food scene. It was developed to build a sustainable local food community “through collaboration, economic opportunity, education, and seed stewardship,” according to its mission statement. Working Food Gainesville’s programs allow people to have direct access to local and fresh food from farms, educate youth on gardening and build a regional and biodiverse seed bank shared with chefs, farmers and community members. The pandemic exposed a new and growing food insecurity in our community, and Working Food has responded. Throughout the pandemic, they hosted drive-through farmer’s markets where local produce was distributed, as well as seed packets from their seed collective to encourage community members to grow their own food and eat locally. They also helped distribute meals to those in need during the pandemic through the support of partner community organizations.

Surveys have shown that domestic and intimate partner violence has spiked during the pandemic, and Peaceful Paths has been there locally to help victims of abuse. Peaceful Paths is a certified domestic violence center that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford and Union counties. The organization provides a wide range of services, including an emergency shelter, a 24-hour helpline, victim advocacy, children’s programming, economic empowerment education and support, crisis counseling and support groups, community awareness and intervention and violence prevention programs. During Domestic Violence awareness month in October, Peaceful Paths held several events to shed light on the victims and families of domestic violence. They also held a back-to-school drive.

The Education Foundation of Alachua County supports children by working alongside Alachua County Public Schools. The student-centered organization provides mentoring and financial support for students, along with grants for schools and teachers. Take Stock in Children provides scholarships and mentoring for middle and high school students, and senior scholarships provide funding for any graduating high school senior who meets the qualifications. The Take Stock in Children program provides students access to resources such as essay writing workshops, college tours, financial aid and college application assistance and wellness programs. Every single student who participated in Take Stock in Children has graduated from high school. COVID-19 did not slow down their support for students and schools. They awarded $689,500 in student scholarships in 2020. Greater Gainesville’s vibrant nonprofit community offers many benefits and services and supports the region’s economy.

Home to a major top-tier public university and health system, Alachua County has many nonprofit organizations tied to the university of Florida and UF Health. Many of UF’s students belong to Gen Z age demographic, which has been proven to be more committed to volunteerism. It is no surprise to see so many students serving integral roles in community nonprofit organizations. UF also is home to nonprofits including alumni groups, professional and research organizations. It is worth noting that UF’s student-run Dance Marathon contributes to the UF Health’s Children’s Miracle Network. At least 13% of all Alachua County nonprofits are connected to the University in some fashion. Whether someone wants to volunteer for a passionate cause, donate to a charitable organization or work in the nonprofit sector, Alachua County provides many resources to fulfill those passions. These opportunities and a culture of caring make Alachua County a perfect place to live, work and raise a family. To learn more about local organizations, visit The Philanthropy Hub, hosted by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, at thephilanthropyhub.org.