By Yurianna Mikolay, Executive Director
Ocean Reef Community Foundation
Thanks to the Ocean Reef community’s generosity, the Ocean Reef Community Foundation annual grants program will provide more than $2.5 million to charities outside the gate this year, surpassing the previous year’s record by well over half a million dollars.
The increase of almost 27 percent year-over-year reflects the community’s overwhelming embrace of a change to the All Charities Weekend effort that dedicated 100 percent of the live Raise the Paddle for cash donations to the Foundation’s Off Reef grants program, while still increasing the amounts going to all on property recipients that do not receive a set amount. The results will set a new record of 102 grants benefitting 90 non-profit organizations.
According to Grants Committee Chair Janie Sims, “Our committee strives to effectively represent the values of the Ocean Reef community and our shared commitment to help in the neighboring areas where those who work here live and raise their families. Together we are making a real and meaningful difference, serving employees members know and appreciate, and touching tens of thousands of lives every day.”
Join us in recognizing the dedication and outstanding work of the Grants Committee, which includes Sims, Vice Chair Steve Woodsum, Cindy Brammer, Chris Covington, Alan Goldstein, Diane Hill, Marie Jacobs, Amy Joseph, Ed Kramer, Cynthia Lee, Kathie Markel, Linda Owens, Amy Upjohn, Kathy Weiland, and Brad Young.
The Community Grants program funds scores of worthy non-profit organizations in the interest areas of Education, Youth, Health & Family Services, and Community in the Upper Keys, City of Homestead, and Florida City each spring. Including 2025 grants, the program will have awarded more than $20.8 million since the Foundation’s All Charities effort to consolidate fundraising in the Ocean Reef community began in 2008.
The Foundation’s share of 2025 All Charities proceeds not reserved for larger Impact Fund projects will be distributed, with additional donations directly to the Community Grants Fund, as follows:
A Chance for Therapy (ACT4Me) – Therapy programs for Homestead and Florida City children with neurological and genetic disorders – $42,000
Academy of CLASS – Workshop series for parents and teens in families impacted by violence – $5,000
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts – STEAM curriculum and live Busy Bees Great Adventure performance field trip transportation for 1,500 7th graders in Homestead/Florida City Title I schools – $15,000
Advocate Program – Financial assistance program for veterans in need – $10,000
Alliance for Aging – Health and wellness education for older adults in the Upper Keys – $10,000
ArtSouth – “Arts Beyond the Classroom” arts education program for children at the Chapman Partnership Family Resource Center – $10,000
Autism Society of the Keys – Technology and therapy for autistic youth – $10,000
Best Buddies International – Mentorship program to support 50 parents raising kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities – $7,500
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Continued expansion of youth mentoring program for 325 kids in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City – $25,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Bleeding Blue – Mental health support for law enforcement and first responders – $20,000
Branches Florida City ($60,000)
- “Grow & Climb” teen leadership development and employment mentoring program – $35,000
- “It’s a Money Thing” Financial Education program for 290+ students and families – $25,000
Bridge to Hope – Homestead Healthy Food Distribution Hub services including food, nutrition education, access to health services, and career-focused technology training – $33,000
Burton Memorial United Methodist Church ($34,800 Total)
- Refrigerated truck usage to enable pick-up of perishable donations from local grocery stores and funds to purchase needed food items when not available by donation for Keys food pantry serving 11,500 – $19,800
- Child Development Center Summer School enrichment program – $15,000
Camillus House – CHEER educational initiative to assist 160 formerly homeless children in attending school and catching up with peers – $15,000
Caring for Miami – Project Smile Mobile Dental Unit visits for 1,500 Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City residents – $40,000
Centro Campesino -Technology support, field trip transportation and “Arts4Learning” for the YouthPride after-school and summer programs for 160 kids in two locations – $40,000
Chapman Partnership – Mentoring program at the Family Resource Center for 150 children of families recovering from homelessness – $15,000
Children’s Bereavement Center – Expansion of comprehensive grief support for 250 youth in Homestead and Florida City in partnership with existing youth programs – $20,000
City Year – Academic and social-emotional development coaching for 665 youth at Homestead Middle School – $30,000
Coast Guard Auxiliary Association – To assist the Ocean Reef Flotilla in serving the broader community in surrounding waters – $6,050
Coral Shores High School ($51,410 Total)
- Athletic Department Hardship Assistance Fund – $20,000
- AVID college readiness program training for teachers – $25,410
- Positive behavior interventions and support – $6,000
Cox Science Center & Aquarium – Bringing the Science Passport educational program to 10,000 children in Title 1 elementary schools in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City – $25,000
DMF Employment Opportunities – Employment initiative for 190 individuals with intellectual and development disabilities – $25,781
En FAMILIA – Furnishings to complete updated library space serving 110 children – $15,000
Family Central – Benefits Enrollment Program to support 200 vulnerable families in Homestead and Florida City – $25,000
Feeding South Florida ($110,000 Total)
- Food delivery and distribution to food pantries in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City – $60,000
- Half the cost of a 53’ truck needed to maximize efficiency in delivering product to pantries in our service areas – $50,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Florida Goldcoast Ninety Nines – Aviation education and training for Upper Keys, Homestead, Florida City women and girls – $10,000
Florida Impact – Children’s hunger relief program to benefit 400 Key Largo School students – $29,980
Florida Keys Area Health Education Centers (Keys AHEC) – In-school primary medical and dental services program serving 2,500+ in Upper Keys schools – $59,500
Florida Keys Children’s Shelter – Residential & Counseling Programs for at-risk youth – $65,000
Florida Keys Community Concert Band – Pops in the Park program enhancements including sound system, music lessons and instruments for children, and tablets – $5,750
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition – Upper Keys Child Safety Equipment and Early Childhood Development programs for 250+ – $40,000
Florida Keys Soccer Club – Youth soccer league programs and equipment for club serving 360 – $10,000
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center – Youth education and outreach program for 400 – $5,000
Florida Sheriffs Association – “Lend a Hand” program for deputies and their families experiencing crisis situations – $15,000
Foster Care Review – Expansion of Permanency Roundtable effort to secure lifelong families or supportive adult connections for youth in and aging out of foster care in Homestead and Florida City – $20,000
Friends of the Children – To support the expansion of an intensive, long-term mentoring program to 120 families in Homestead and Florida City – $17,500
Genesis Hopeful Haven – Independent Living Housing and support programs for Homestead and Florida City young people aging out of foster care – $50,000
Gift of Adoption – Financial assistance to complete the adoption process for at-risk children into Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City families – $5,000
Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida – Community Troops program for 300 underserved girls in low-income and historically excluded Homestead and Florida City neighborhoods – $20,000
Good Health Clinic – Providing $2 million in donated medication and healthcare access to 750 low-income Upper Keys residents – $39,000
Greater Miami Youth for Christ – Teen leadership development and employment mentoring program for 250 at West Homestead KIX – $60,000
Greater Miami Youth Symphony – Early childhood music education programs for 200 kids in Homestead and Florida City schools and community organizations – $15,000
Guidance/Care Center – Emergency Response program at Monroe County’s only Assisted Living Facility for residents with chronic mental illness – $20,000
Guitars Over Guns Organization – Music instruction programs and mentors for at-risk Homestead and Florida City youth – $35,000
Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys – Towards two affordable homes for low-income families in Key Largo – $35,000
Health Information Project – Peer-to-peer, comprehensive health education program for 2,000 students at five Homestead and Monroe County high schools – $25,000
Healthy Mind, Heart & Body – Health education and hygiene kits for Homestead and Florida City children – $5,000
ICU Baby – Comprehensive support for 240 Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City families with babies in the nearest NICUs at Miami hospitals – $25,000
In Jacob’s Shoes – “Sole Necessities” program to provide shoes to 500 disadvantaged Homestead and Florida City children – $10,000
Island Dolphin Care – Therapeutic programs for 48 special needs children in collaboration with multiple grantee organizations serving the special needs population – $15,000
Key Largo School K-8 ($90,120 Total)
- Summer Recreation program for up to 250 pre-K through 5th grade students – $50,000
- AVID college readiness program, college visits and teacher training – $20,000
- Towards outfitting new Middle School Weight Room – $15,000
- Furnishing calming space with equipment to serve 50 children with sensory differences – $5,120
Kristi House – Homestead and Florida City expansion of services for child-victims of abuse and sex trafficking – $50,000
Ladies Empowerment & Action Program – Incarcerated Women’s “Chance for Change Initiative” – $20,000
Mexican-American Council – College & Career Prep programs and scholarships for 250 students from families of farmworkers at Homestead high schools – $40,000
Miami Diaper Bank – Expansion of mobile diaper distributions serving 2,100 babies in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City – $50,000
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind – Children’s Vision Program for 700+ in both service areas – $10,000
Monroe Association for Remarkable Citizens (MARC) – Transportation program for Upper Keys Adult Day Training services for developmentally disabled adults – $19,000
MUJER – Workshops and therapy for 130 abused children and non-offending parents – $50,000
National Alliance on Mental Illness Miami-Dade County (NAMI) – Continued expansion of free signature mental health programming to serve 2,500 in the Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City – $20,000
Ocean First Institute – Expansion of Marine Science Education in collaboration with Upper Keys schools – $10,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Ocean Studies (Public) Charter School – “Healthy Minds, Strong Lives” mental health support initiative for 300 students – $29,950
PATCHES PPEC – Specially equipped van to transport 75 medically fragile children – $48,000
Pawsitive Beginnings – Animal-assisted therapy program for Florida Keys Children’s Shelter clients – $3,900
Raza Mentors – Activities for mentorship program pairing 150 children of farmworkers with community leaders from the same background – $15,000
Redlands Christian Migrant Association – Playground and surface replacement to meet critical safety standards at the RCMA Florida City child development center – $46,025
Somerset Prep Homestead (Public K-12) – School-wide STEM curriculum and Athletic Program enhancements for school serving 1,400 – $35,000
South Dade Women Veterans Alliance – Half the cost of Trauma Focused Training and 20 percent of the cost of the Annual Women Veterans Conference – $12,500
South Florida Council of Boy Scouts – Scouting programs for 250 disadvantaged youth in the Homestead area – $20,000
Special Olympics Florida Monroe County – Continued expansion of the Upper Keys Unified Championship Schools program for 315 youth with and without intellectual disabilities, including new outreach to schools in Homestead and Florida City – $40,300
St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church Child Development Center – Summer camp program for underprivileged youth in the Upper Keys – $54,125
Star of the Sea Outreach Mission – Upper Keys Hunger Relief Program serving 4,500 – $36,000
Start Off Smart ($61,282 Total)
- Homestead Police Department Community Education, Outreach & Crime Prevention program to safely engage thousands of local youth and families – $21,282
- Two Police Academy Scholarships for locals committed to serving in the Homestead Police Department – $15,000
- Family Empowerment program supporting victims of domestic violence in obtaining self-sufficiency – $25,000
Take Stock in Children – College scholarships (matched by the Florida Pre-Paid College Foundation) for Upper Keys youth mentoring program – $100,000
The Children’s Voice Chorus – To expand choral programs at Branches Florida City to additional children – $10,000
The College of the Florida Keys – Appliances for the Student Lounge and a Security Public Address System for safety at the Upper Keys Center – $17,865
The Motivational Edge – Art-based Youth Engagement & Empowerment Program for at-risk youth – $22,500
The Salvation Army – “Pathway to Hope” social services and financial assistance program for about 50 Upper Keys residents – $18,000
Three Virtues Organization – To replace failing refrigeration units with a new fridge-freezer combo and industrial freezer at Homestead food pantry serving 1,800 – $10,653
TIPS – Florida Keys Youth Basketball League essentials and enhancements for 250 1st-8th graders – $8,000
Touching Miami with Love Homestead Site ($70,000 Total)
- Adult Literacy Empowerment Program – $35,000
- Youth Development Job Training Internship Program – $35,000
United Way of Collier and the Keys – Upper Keys “Success by Six” School Readiness program – $15,900
University of Miami – Pediatric Mobile Healthcare expansion serving 9,600 in Homestead and Florida City – $25,000 (MATCH REQUIRED)
Upper Keys Baseball Development Foundation – “Steady Bats” baseball program serving 100 youth – $8,500
Upper Keys Youth Lacrosse League – Safety equipment to remove financial barriers to participating in lacrosse – $10,000
Veteran Sailing – Basic Keel Boat to Coastal Cruising Sailing Certification for active-duty military and honorably discharged veterans – $5,000
Voices for Florida Keys Children – Children’s Welfare Program to assist about 200 families through the 16th Judicial Court Guardian Ad Litem – $15,000
Wellspring Counseling – Financial Aid for counseling for 140 Upper Keys, Homestead and Florida City residents – $29,640
Wesley House Family Services – To cover items foster youth need to participate fully in formative life experiences that state funding does not cover – $20,000
YMCA of South Florida – Homestead after-school and camp program scholarships for low-income families – $20,000
Young Musicians Unite – Expansion of music education program to 12 additional schools and more than 3,200 students in Homestead and Florida City – $40,000
Total 2025 Off Reef Community Grants: $2,544,581
To learn more about the Community Grants program and/or 2025 Co-Investment Opportunities to complement partial and match grants, please email foundation@oceanreef.com, call (305) 367-4707 or visit our office in the Ocean Reef Business Center.
But Wait, There’s Even More Giving to Report!
- One additional Community Grant application by The ARC of South Florida will also be funded, but from a different source — the Impact Fund. The Impact Fund was created with past All Charities proceeds and provides larger grants of $100,000+ for projects that have long term, transformative impact. The grant of up to $150,000 will close the gap of funds needed for a renovation of The ARC’s Palm Drive school serving 270 children with special needs. The walls throughout the facility do not currently reach the ceilings which results in an incredibly loud environment that makes hearing, learning and focus very difficult, especially for children with sensory issues. The Grants Committee, who experienced the issue firsthand on site visits, unanimously recommended the renovation for approval by the Foundation Board. This project, scheduled to begin later this year, will bring the walls to the ceilings and permanently transform the learning setting.
- Another $13,000 from this year’s proceeds has also been set aside for the Foundation’s Small Urgent Response Grant (SURG) Fund that provides small emergency grants to vetted, past grantees in crisis situations that must be addressed before the next annual grant cycle.
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