Greetings!
As we come to the close of another week during this unprecedented and scary time, we see some signs of hope. While those help as we forge ahead, we are most inspired by your generosity and the good work of our community.
With the support of our fund holders, donors and partners, the Community Foundation for Brevard continues to respond to critical needs. In the update below, we are proud to share some of the positive impacts already made through donor advised funds and the
Brevard Relief Fund for COVID-19
.
Together with Space Coast Health Foundation and United Way of Brevard we have also reached out to local, front-line nonprofits to assess the vast challenges related to COVID-19 in our community. Like so many other communities, we are hearing there is great need in the fundamentals: food and housing, health and mental health, and education. Clearly, there is much work to be done.
As we address this crisis, one unlike any we have known, please thoughtfully consider joining us to provide funding that can aid stability throughout Brevard, this wonderful place we call home. Truly, kindness, interconnection, and generosity are a big part of what makes the Space Coast so special. These same virtues will get us through this difficult time and help us emerge stronger than ever.
I am proud to join together in this cause with all of you.
With deep appreciation,
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Brevard Relief Fund - COVID-19
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It’s because of uncertain times like this, and generous fund holders like you, that we created our
Brevard Relief Fund
. This fund allows us to be nimble in our response to addressing our community’s most pressing and emerging needs, specifically with organizations working with our most vulnerable citizens, friends, family and neighbors who are being impacted
by this global pandemic.
We invite you to
donate now to the
Brevard Relief Fund
- COVID-19
. You can also learn about who has given to the fund, the fund’s grant recipients, and check out our latest news and updates by visiting our
COVID-19 Response News & Updates
page.
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How to Donate
- Donate online by selecting "Brevard Relief Fund - COVID-19"
- Stock transfer or IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) contact theresag@cfbrevard.org
- Donor Advised Fund recommendations can be made online here
- Mail donations to 1361 Bedford Dr, Ste 102, Melbourne, FL 32940 and indicate COVID-19 Fund in the memo
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Community Foundation Grants $134,820 to Support Local COVID-19 Response
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Thanks to our existing fund holders and donors who contributed to the Brevard Relief Fund - COVID-19,
18 nonprofits were recently awarded $134,820 in grants to assist their efforts
.
The current phase of granting through the Brevard Relief Fund is focusing on our most vulnerable populations and the nonprofit organizations providing urgent basic needs support such as food, housing, safe shelter, health and financial assistance.
Here are the latest grants committed and awarded (as of 4/24/2020):
- Aging Matters in Brevard for the Brevard Senior Nutrition Program and more
- Brevard Homeless Coalition for the SOS Program (Safe Overnight Stay)
- Children’s Hunger Project for the purchase and distribution of food
- Club Esteem for technology support for virtual programming (i.e. tutoring, enrichment programs, etc.) and support for direct program employees
- Daily Bread for the purchase and distribution of food and hygiene items
- Evans Center for programs and outreach for those impacted by COVID-19
- Family Promise of Brevard for the Stabilization and Prevention Programs to help families impacted by COVID-19
- Neighbor Up Brevard for programs and outreach for those impacted by COVID-19
- North Brevard Charities Sharing Center for purchase and distribution of food and hygiene items
- Sharing Center of Central Brevard for purchase and distribution of food and hygiene items
- South Brevard Sharing Center for purchase and distribution of food and hygiene items
- St. Vincent de Paul Society – HNJCC for food and basic needs of their pantry
- Love INC for the purchase and distribution of meals, food, and other supplies
Additional grants have been made to the following organization through specific
Field of Interest Funds
related to animal welfare and conservation initiatives:
- Brevard Humane Society for operational support related to COVID-19 and support of programs for pet food assistance programs
- Brevard Zoo for operational support of programs and staff
- Florida Wildlife Hospital for operational support of programs and staff
- SPCA of Brevard for operational support related to COVID-19 and support of programs for pet food assistance program
- Walk on Water Equine Assisted Therapy for the maintenance and care of animals
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What Else are We Doing to Assist Our Vital Nonprofits?
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The Community Foundation is working with many of our nonprofit partners to lift restrictions, modify competitive grant purposes and ensuring our annual endowment distributions to nonprofits are distributed timely. This will result in an additional
$206,000
of support they can use now to help their organizations, clients, and our community.
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Christine P. Lance Foundation at the Community Foundation Grants to Local Nonprofits Supporting our Most Vulnerable Populations
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Brevard resident and philanthropist, Christine Lance responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past month, she has utilized her donor-advised fund at Community Foundation for Brevard to support organizations leading emergency relief efforts.
“Along with staying at home and social distancing, we decided that the best thing we can do to help at this time is to support those organizations that are on the front lines – those serving vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and food and housing insecure,” says Christine.
Through the
Christine P. Lance Foundation
, Christine has made grants totaling $20,000 to
Aging Matters in Brevard
and
Brevard Homeless Coalition
, a pair of organizations whose work remains vital during this challenging time. Additionally, Christine has made generous gift of $15,000 to the COVID-19 relief fund at United Way of Brevard and $10,000 to the Health First Foundation’s employee relief fund.
“I feel fortunate to have a fund at the Community Foundation,” says Christine. “Because this money is already set aside and earmarked for philanthropy, we can maintain our giving levels regardless of how the economy is doing. It also gives us a lot of flexibility regarding the timing of our gifts during the course of the year.”
Christine’s leadership and generosity inspires us year in and year out. True to form, she sprang into action to help those most in need. The Community Foundation is grateful and proud to be her partner in philanthropy.
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During a Crisis, Collaboration is Key
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In response to evolving and ever-changing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits are engaging in joint ventures and social entrepreneurship activities to launch coordinated efforts that will comprehensively assist vulnerable populations.
We are inspired by the many organizations coming together during this time and thought we would share a few examples:
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Aging Matters of Brevard's
Meals on Wheels program is ensuring our population of senior residents continue to receive meals. To ensure safety of volunteers and clients, they are delivering a week's worth of meals to each client.
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In partnership with
Children's Hunger Project
,
Club Esteem
is providing over 300 curbside meals per day to children in their community. They are still supporting youth through virtual tutoring and enrichment programming.
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Love INC
has partnered with
The Bearded Chef
restaurant
and a group of volunteer drivers to offer free meal delivery to seniors and those with a compromised immune system.
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When funds are tight for so many,
Brevard Humane Society
and
SPCA of Brevard
have partnered with
Central Brevard Sharing Center
and
South Brevard Sharing Center
to ensure those in need are able to keep their animals fed and safely housed.
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Evans Center
staff and volunteers have shifted their services to delivering 300 meals daily through their new Food2Go program. Additionally, they have partnered with
South Brevard Sharing Center
to deliver bags of groceries to seniors in their community.
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To all of our local nonprofits
:
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your tenacity and compassion in supporting our community. You are persevering through extraordinary challenges to serve people in significant health, financial, and emotional pain.
We are proud to be YOUR community foundation, and we are in awe of what you are doing to pivot, adjust, shoulder and steward. This community needs you, and together, we can meet the challenges before us.
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What Does the CARES Act Mean for Charitable Giving?
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The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, includes provisions that affect both individual and corporate donors. Specifically:
- 60% of AGI Limit Suspended for 2020: For the 2020 tax year, individuals can deduct any cash contributions made to qualified charitable organizations, up to 100% of their adjusted gross income (AGI). Deductions for cash donations were previously limited to 60% of the taxpayer’s AGI.
- Corporations’ 10% Limit Increased to 25% for 2020: For the 2020 tax year, corporations can deduct up to 25% of the taxpayer’s taxable income for any cash contributions made to qualified charitable organizations. Deductions for cash donations were previously limited to 10% of the taxpayer’s taxable income.
- New $300 Deduction for Qualified Charitable Donations: Individuals who take the standard deduction can claim an above-the-line tax deduction for cash donations to qualified charitable organizations, up to $300.
Deductions for Gifts to Regional Response Funds
Donations to the
Brevard Relief Fund
qualify for the additional deductions. You can also support the Fund with a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, if you are age 70.5 or older.
Donor-Advised Funds Not Affected
Deduction limitations for charitable gifts to donor-advised funds, private non-operating foundations, and supporting organizations were not changed under the CARES Act.
This information is not intended as tax, legal, or financial advice. Gift results may vary.
Please consult your personal advisor for information specific to your situation.
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Your philanthropic goals are our first priority at the Community Foundation. If you need help determing how to support local and national relief efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, please feel free to
contact us
.
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Check out additional resources to build better communities:
Not a fund holder yet?
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We invite you for a conversation to explore ways we
can make your philanthropy meaningful:
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