29 Jul Quantum Foundation Invests Nearly $2 Million Locally in First Half of 2024
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – The board of trustees for Quantum Foundation, under the chairmanship of Brian Kirkpatrick, recently approved 26 grants totaling more than $1.8 million for Palm Beach County-based nonprofits.
Of the grants allocated for the first and second quarters of 2024, $500,000 was granted through the foundation’s Stronger Communities Initiative (SCI) in West Palm Beach. Local leadership has recognized decades of disparities rooted in racial inequities and underinvestment in West Palm Beach’s Northwest, Coleman Park, Pleasant City, Northwood Hills, Pinewood Park, and North 45th Street communities. These neighborhoods routinely experience limited opportunities and shorter life expectancies for their residents. Quantum Foundation’s grants will address these challenges by targeting social determinants of health, the medical and non-medical factors that influence an individual’s health and investing in initiatives led by local nonprofit organizations working to uplift the community’s well-being.
One of the nine grants that represents SCI funding includes Rose’s Transportation Services (RTS). The RTS Driving Equity initiative implements an integrative, human-centered micro-transit program to address critical social determinants of health in West Palm Beach’s underserved Northwest Neighborhoods. The $65,000 grant will help to ensure equitable access to essential services and resources by fostering cultural competence and providing compassionate staff. Additionally, $15,000 will be allocated for organizational capacity building to enhance administrative and logistics support.
“At Rose’s Transportation Services, transportation is not merely a part of life; it is a way of life for our equity zone communities. Our mission is to ensure that free, reliable transportation is accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances,” said Terry Rich, co-founder and CEO. “Thanks to our great partnership with Quantum Foundation, we have been empowered to provide essential daily transportation services, giving voice to the voiceless and enabling them to access their daily essentials with dignity and ease.”
Quantum Foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County residents. The health foundation was formed from $135 million in proceeds from the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now in its third decade of community investment, the foundation has assets of approximately $160 million. Since its inception, Quantum Foundation has awarded $175 million to hundreds of Palm Beach County nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.
“Our inaugural year of launching our Stronger Communities Initiative and seeking proposals from grantees is geared toward improving the community health of West Palm Beach neighborhoods,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “Each grantee in this initiative promotes health and well-being in key zip codes by improving social determinants of health. These determinants include various factors such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood environment, access to healthcare, social support networks, and the ability to engage in healthy behaviors.”
For more information on how to apply for Quantum Foundation grants, please visit quantumfnd.org.
Other grants include:
211 Palm Beach & Treasure Coast ($100,000) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, 211 will enhance its capacity to provide crucial support to vulnerable seniors, ensuring they receive the assistance and resources necessary to navigate their unique challenges and maintain independence for as long as possible.
American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) ($60,000) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, AACY will be able to provide respite care services to 13 families, including providing home healthcare workers and home cleaning services, offering crucial relief and support to caregiving youth and their families.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Gulfstream Council ($30,000) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, BSA Gulfstream Council will support the delivery of essential development programs, instilling leadership, teamwork, and community service values in young individuals and enabling them to continue empowering youth for success in life while promoting diversity, inclusion and responsible citizenship.
Boynton Beach Faith Based Community Development Corporation (CDC) ($51,797) – Boynton Beach
With Quantum Foundation funding, Boynton Beach Faith Based CDC will ensure that seniors have access to vital resources, combating social isolation and improving overall health outcomes in the heart of the Boynton community.
Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) ($25,000) – Palm Beach County
Quantum Founding funding will support CFCC’s data-driven model of care, bridging the gap between mental and physical health, and providing evidence-based services to nearly 7,000 children throughout Palm Beach County.
Faith Hope Love Charity ($25,000) – West Palm Beach
Quantum Foundation will support the center’s mission by providing personnel, project supplies, and contracting services, allowing it to continue offering critical support to veterans and improving their health outcomes.
Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth (FLIPANY) ($100,000) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, FLIPANY will sustain staffing and resources, delivering 89,001 healthy meals to 275 children across nine sites.
Fuller Center ($57,405) – Palm Beach County
Quantum Foundation funding will support the establishment of a fully equipped Wellness Center on Fuller Center’s West campus, benefiting approximately 200 individuals annually, including parents, mentors, volunteers, staff, and teen leaders.
George Snow Scholarship Fund (GSSF) ($100,000) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, including $85,000 for scholarships and $15,000 for personnel, GSSF can extend its reach by supporting more students pursuing healthcare careers and fostering a more inclusive future workforce.
Green Cars for Kids (GC4K) ($65,471) – The Glades
Quantum Foundation funding will be allocated for transportation costs, materials, and personnel to significantly bolster GC4K’s mission by enabling them to expand their services and reach more individuals in need.
Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches ($40,000) – Palm Beach County
Quantum Foundation funding will be allocated for personnel, program activities, technology, and supplies so Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches can expand its reach and offer tailored support groups, recreational activities, and specialized training, empowering blind/visually impaired individuals to lead fulfilling lives despite their visual impairments.
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches ($150,000) – Palm Beach County
Quantum Foundation’s funding support will ensure that seniors receive affordable, nutritious meals, alleviating financial stress and enhancing their overall well-being through both nourishment and meaningful human connection.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MLB) ($90,000) – Palm Beach County
With funding from Quantum Foundation, MLB’s Heiken Program will offer essential vision care to 900 disadvantaged children in Palm Beach County, addressing the increased need for no-cost mobile vision care.
Riviera Beach Integrated Care (RBIC) ($45,000) – Riviera Beach
Quantum Foundation funding will be allocated for RBIC’s personnel, project supplies, and medication co-pay costs to further enhance its efforts in delivering mobile behavioral and primary healthcare, along with direct social services, to chronically homeless individuals.
Sickle Cell Foundation of PBC (SCF) ($56,984) – Palm Beach County
With Quantum Foundation funding, SCF will be able to expand its reach and enhance its services, including personnel, program-related expenses, occupancy expenses, indirect expenses, and contracted services, ultimately improving health outcomes and easing the burden on both individuals and the healthcare system.
Student ACES ($110,00) – The Glades
Quantum Foundation funding will support various aspects of The Passport Program, including project supplies, personnel, food, contracted services, evaluation, student incentives, field trips, and transportation, enabling the organization to continue making a tangible impact in the lives of Glades students and beyond.
Suits for Seniors (SFS) ($25,000) – Palm Beach County
Quantum Foundation funding will be allocated for personnel, project supplies, indirect expenses, consultants, and marketing and outreach costs. SFS will be able to further expand its programs and offerings, ultimately making a lasting impact on the lives of underprivileged youth in Palm Beach County.
Stronger Communities Initiative (SCI) Grants:
Community Partners of South Florida ($50,000) – Riviera Beach
The organization’s holistic services will integrate financial literacy, housing education, mental health services, and more. With Quantum funding of $50,000 CPSFL’s initiative will revitalize the community, empowering residents toward self-sufficiency and a brighter future.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County ($50,000) – West Palm Beach
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County is launching a community-led council to oversee the ‘A Brush with Kindness’ program, enhancing neighborhood aesthetics for 14 homeowners. Focusing on home preservation in key areas, the initiative, supported by the Quantum Foundation, aims to improve living conditions and community morale. The approach includes forming the council, identifying projects, assessing homes, and ensuring sustainability, fostering lasting community empowerment.
Heart, Health, and Healing Ministries ($50,000) – West Palm Beach
Quantum Foundation funding will help enroll a cohort of 90 individuals into the program, providing health and nutrition education, medical screenings, and weekly food box distributions. Heart, Health, and Healing Ministries will host monthly community outreach events distributing 2,000 lbs. of food, aiming to break the cycle of malnutrition and disease and foster lasting health improvements among the county’s most vulnerable populations.
Inner City Innovators (ICI) ($50,000) – West Palm Beach
Quantum Foundation funding will enable ICI to expand its services in high-risk zip codes, continuing its mission of keeping youth “Free and Alive Through Age 25” by providing vital support and empowerment in the face of adversity.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County ($50,000) – West Palm Beach
The Heirs Property Legal Preservation Project (HPLPP) aims to enhance housing and economic stability by resolving legal issues with inherited property. This problem limits heirs’ abilities to manage property and transfer wealth. HPLPP provides legal services to secure clear titles, manage probate, defend foreclosures, and offer estate planning, preserving property wealth for future generations.
Neighborhood Renaissance ($60,000) – West Palm Beach
The Legacy Property Preservation Program aims to enhance neighborhood stability and build generational wealth through property ownership. To tackle equity loss from unresolved code violations and legacy properties, Neighborhood Renaissance plans to educate and support minority property owners in Coleman Park, Pleasant City, Northwest, and Northwood, and manage a Legacy Property Fund.
Pathways to Prosperity’s Circles Palm Beach County ($100,000) – West Palm Beach
Quantum Foundation funding will help provide vital financial literacy, support networks, and wraparound services for individuals to navigate systemic challenges to drive wealth-building and ensure sustained progress toward economic self-sufficiency.
The U.B. Kinsey Educational & Community Center ($25,000) – West Palm Beach
Quantum Foundation funding will support robust marketing, community engagement events, website enhancement, and collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure improved health outcomes, increased healthcare access and greater health equity within the community.