2025 Share Your Story Video Challenge Grant Winners!
At the Community Foundation of North Florida, we know strong communities start with strong nonprofits. That’s why we created the Share Your Story Video Challenge—a chance to spotlight the incredible work local organizations are doing to support individuals and families with low-to-moderate incomes.
In partnership with Prime Meridian Bank, we are awarding ten $1,500 grants to nonprofits serving Leon County. These grants give organizations a little extra support to keep doing what they do best: changing lives.
Meet our 2025 grant winners below, and be sure to watch their inspiring video stories by clicking the link below their bios.
Big Bend Hospice is committed to supporting low- to moderate-income residents of Leon County through our Charity Care and Special Patient Needs programs, serving patients and families with compassion and dignity. Our mission is to inspire hope by transforming how our community experiences serious illness and grief, one family at a time. Above all, we strive to ensure that every patient can experience a peaceful, dignified passing.
WATCH THE WINNING VIDEO
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Boys & Girls Club of the Big Bend
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend (BGCBB) play a vital role in supporting low-income families in Leon County by offering affordable, comprehensive programs that promote the growth and development of children and teens. Our work is guided by three priority outcomes: academic success, character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles.
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Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend
Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc. is deeply committed to supporting low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents of Leon County through a range of impactful programs and initiatives. We recognize the challenges these community members face and work to provide meaningful support through workforce training, employment opportunities, and educational resources that enhance their quality of life.
WATCH THE WINNING VIDEO ______________________________________________________________________________
Keep Climbing Family Foundation
The Keep Climbing Family Foundation is committed to supporting low-to-moderate income families in Leon County year-round, with a special emphasis on uplifting local youth through our annual Winter Coat Drive. This initiative ensures that each of the 465+ students at Sabal Palm Elementary receives a brand-new, size-appropriate coat, along with a personalized gift bag featuring their name to help them feel seen, valued, and cared for.
WATCH THE WINNING VIDEO
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Kids, Inc. of the Big Bend
Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend is the only provider of Early Head Start services in Leon County, serving 104 children ages 0–3 and their families with comprehensive support, including healthcare, family outreach, and curriculum-based education and development. For over 50 years, we’ve helped thousands of low-to-moderate income children and their families thrive. We operate two Early Learning Centers: one at Lincoln Center in Frenchtown and the other, Budd Bell, located on Laura Lee Avenue.
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For 15 years, Ladies Learning to Lead has been empowering girls by preparing them for college, careers, and life. We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of success. Many of our programs are offered free or at low cost, including our Annual Leadership Conference, where we provide scholarships to ensure girls receive mentorship, career training, and leadership development at no cost to them. We also support education through both need-based and merit-based scholarships.
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The Omega Lamplighters program is dedicated to empowering young men from low-to-moderate income (LMI) households across Leon County by offering consistent mentorship, leadership development, and life skills training. Through a structured, evidence-based curriculum and a strong network of community partners, we tackle the challenges that disproportionately affect youth in underserved communities.
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Second Harvest of the Big Bend
Second Harvest of the Big Bend is committed to supporting low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents of Leon County by ensuring consistent access to nutritious food through strategic programs and partnerships. Our efforts center on food distribution, child and senior nutrition, mobile outreach, and emergency response—delivering vital support to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
WATCH THE WINNING VIDEO
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Tallahassee Scientific Society
The Tallahassee Scientific Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public understanding and appreciation of science and science education throughout Tallahassee and the North Florida region. Founded in 1989, this all-volunteer, grassroots organization maintains an active annual membership of 100 to 200 individuals, the majority of whom are Tallahassee residents. This grant will allow children in Title 1 schools to participate in STEM summer camps.
WATCH THE WINNING VIDEO
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The Tallahassee Ballet actively supports low-to-moderate income (LMI) residents of Leon County through inclusive dance programs that promote education, creativity, and community connection. Our DanceChance program, featured in this video, partners with Leon County Title I and 21st Century Schools, as well as the Boys & Girls Club, to offer free dance classes to under-resourced communities, encouraging focus, wellness, and artistic exploration.
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We’re grateful to every nonprofit that shared their story with us—your dedication makes our community stronger, more compassionate, and more connected. To all the 2025 applicants, thank you for the invaluable work you do each day. We look forward to continuing to celebrate and support ALL the nonprofits shaping a brighter future for Leon County.
– Community Foundation of North Florida
