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Post Date: Friday, May 6, 2022 |
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In light of recent events leaving many unforeseen with challenges, one local organization has continued to provide assistance to those in need. Established in 2011, The BallenIsles Charities Foundation's goal has always been making a difference in the local Palm Beach Gardens community, with its impact largely growing each year. This year an astonishing $1,129,000 in grants were awarded to 52 nonprofit organizations, totaling over $5.7 million since inception.
The Foundation's Mission
The mission of BallenIsles Charities Foundation is to render financial and in-kind support to civic and not-for-profit organizations within Palm Beach County that provide programs and services in the following broad categories - civic, health and human services, environment, and education - designed to assist, encourage, and promote the well-being of the residents and the communities in which they are located. Created by BallenIsles members, the community maintains this mission by aiding even more in need each year - with 2022 being no exception.
A Storied History
Only 11 Years ago, the launch of The BallenIsles Charities Foundation underscored a commitment to those civic and tax-exempt organizations that make such a difference, not only to our residents, but to so many of our neighbors in the surrounding cities, towns and communities within Palm Beach County. Our donors recognized that by working together they could make a significant positive impact providing financial and in-kind support in a broad range of categories.
Through the years, the foundation has been fortunate to attract a growing number of donors and volunteers, demonstrating the touching community within BallenIsles. That has provided the opportunity for making a difference in new ways. In 2018 it made its first impact grant and provided the funding for the purchase of a 40-foot refrigerated truck which was acquired by Feed the Hungry Pantry, PBC. In a typical year, the truck will rescue well over one million pounds of food to be provided to locals experiencing food scarcity.
In 2019, a Community Service Committee was established which promotes increased awareness of, and opportunities for, community service and charity volunteerism within Palm Beach County by members of BallenIsles. In November of 2019, the BallenIsles Charities Foundation spent three days at a Habitat for Humanity homesite with 125 of our BallenIsles residents, and then returned in December for a gift wrapping for them. Our Community Service Committee organized a Habitat for Humanity Donation Drive too, noting, "Our time and helping hands were a significant adjunct to their efforts. Just as importantly, we each gained personal insight into the issues of providing safe homes to families who are willing to pay for their futures with time sweat, equity and money." Additionally, during the summer of 2020 the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, BallenIsles Country Club and the South Florida PGA provided 350 meals per week, for six weeks to healthcare providers working on the front lines of COVID-19 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center.
Making A Difference In 2021/22
"When times looked bleak indeed, as the pandemic raged and people struggled, our community stepped up in an unimaginably big way to extend a helping hand to our neighbors nearby," said Mark Freeman, president. The foundation accepted grant requests from 95 amazing local nonprofit organizations that provide essential services, vetted each submission, evaluating the organization, the need served, the amount and realism of the request, and the capacity to deliver. Needless to say, stewardship of the members' donations is taken very seriously, which made this year so unbelievable!
Typically, when times are hard, fundraising is predictably more challenging - but that does not hold true at BallenIsles Country Club. With zero in-person fundraising events, the community and corporate sponsors gave at record levels. This year the foundation has awarded grants of $1,129,000 to 52 local nonprofit and civic organizations and 54 programs and over $5.7 million over our history. This year we provided an impact grant to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County for safety upgrades at their West Palm Beach Club and Riviera Beach Club. Combined, the two clubs serve 800 children and teens where they access critical programs that help them develop into healthy, education, stable and productive young adults.
As a result of our community's grand support, there will be a little less hardship for folks nearby, and needed civic, environmental, education and human services will be made possible that wouldn't have been otherwise.
The foundation was founded in 2011 with a dream to make a difference for those outside our gates. Who could have known in that span of time they would distribute over $5.7 million and award $1,129 million in grants at the height of a pandemic with no face-to-face fundraising events? Not bad for a 100 percent volunteer organization!
For a list of our 2022 deserving grant recipients visit https://ballenislescharitiesfoundation.org/grants/.
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