Sontag Foundation Awards $1.2 Million to Support Local Programs
(Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida), March 11, 2008. The Sontag Foundation awarded grants totaling $1,243,096 to support the programs of a dozen local nonprofit organizations. Fifty-five organizations sought the foundation's funding for 2008. All grants recently approved by The Sontag Foundation’s Board of Directors support programs that help foster the independence and self-sufficiency of individuals in Northeast Florida.
| $198,500 | ARC Jacksonville: To make on-campus residency a reality for college students with developmental disabilities |
| $85,000 | Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry: To provide emergency shelter and assistance in securing affordable housing for beaches families who are facing homelessness |
| $180,000 | Betty Griffin House: To provide transitional housing for victims of domestic violence |
| $125,000 | Boselli Foundation: To provide educational programs to youth through the Tony Boselli Youth Life Learning Center |
| $50,000 | Clara White Mission: To assist graduates from Culinary Arts Training Program to move into permanent housing; also to provide uniforms and books to participants of the program |
| $44,677 | Community Connections of Jacksonville: To support a literacy and job readiness program tailored to meet the unique needs of homeless adults |
| $68,332 | First Coast Women's Services: To provide an array of services to women in Clay County who are facing crisis pregnancies |
| $43,887 | Jewish Family and Community Services: To support medical escort and advocate program for elderly in our community who are striving to maintain their independence |
| $130,000 | National Council of Negro Women's Child Watch Partnership's Reed Educational Center: To provide expanded services to at-risk girls in 3rd – 5th grades |
| $154,200 | Pine Castle: To safeguard and enhance the health of individuals participating in day programs through provision of salary support for a full-time LPN |
| $48,500 | Safe Harbor Boys' Home: To strengthen the education program for the boys in residence |
| $115,000 | Volunteers in Medicine: To underwrite cost of prescription medications for patients whose earnings are not sufficient to cover medical care |
Through multi-year funding commitments made in 2006 and 2007, The Sontag Foundation will also disburse $435,545 to eight nonprofit organizations providing services to help individuals on the First Coast become more self-sufficient. Continued funding for programs providing life-skills and career training include $34,000 to Angelwood and $51,500 to Boys Home Association. To continue to meet the educational needs of children unable to live in traditional family settings, a $33,000 grant supports a failure-free reading program at Daniel Memorial and $68,715 provides a specialized program of instruction for children at Seamark Ranch. A $100,000 matching grant helps Gleaners Dispatch step into the gap to continue to provide food for individuals who find themselves temporarily unable to meet all their own needs. Unique housing and supportive services are being provided through a $25,000 grant to Divine Mercy House and $27,260 for Quigley House's transitional housing program. Medical and dental needs are met with the help of $90,070 to Barnabas Center's Samaritan Health Clinic.
The Sontag Foundation is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals by addressing social needs in Northeast Florida and by supporting medical research on a national level in selected fields. Since 2002, The Sontag Foundation has awarded grants totaling $17 million.
Contact:
Kay W. Verble
Executive Director
Phone: 904-273-8755
Fax: 904-273-8745
info[at]sontagfoundation.org
