The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida has significantly increased its investment in education, with over $3 million allocated for grants and scholarships in 2025—a remarkable 50% increase from 2023. This expanded funding supports a comprehensive approach to educational advancement across six counties through strategic scholarships, nonprofit capacity building, and innovative workforce development partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida has allocated $3+ million for education in 2025, serving Duval, Clay, Baker, St. Johns, Nassau, and Putnam counties
- Specialized scholarships like the Byon M. Morris Scholarship provide up to $4,800 for high-achieving scouts with financial need
- The foundation prioritizes small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 through streamlined grant applications
- Workforce development partnerships have served over 19,500 job seekers and facilitated 33,490 employer referrals in 2023-2024
- Emergency support initiatives build on the successful COVID-19 relief model that distributed $3.3 million to 87 regional nonprofits
Expanding Educational Access Through Strategic Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida has dramatically enhanced its scholarship programs for 2025, creating meaningful pathways to higher education for students across the region. The foundation’s flagship Byon M. Morris Scholarship exemplifies this commitment, offering $4,800 ($1,200 annually for four years) to Eagle Scouts or Girl Scout Gold Award recipients who maintain a 3.0+ GPA and demonstrate financial need.
Applications for 2025 scholarships opened January 1 and close March 14, with recipients announced by May. The foundation has implemented smart application requirements including mandatory FAFSA completion and College Scorecard utilization to help students evaluate the true costs and outcomes of their educational choices.
Beyond traditional four-year degrees, the foundation partners with First Coast Technical College Education Foundation to provide alternative credential pathways through programs like GET THERE FASTER, which covers up to $3,600 in tuition for workforce certifications. This approach ensures that educational opportunities remain accessible regardless of a student’s career objectives.
Strengthening Northeast Florida’s Nonprofit Educational Ecosystem
The foundation’s 2025 grantmaking strategy divides its $3 million budget between Capacity Building and Program Support initiatives. This dual approach ensures that educational nonprofits receive both operational infrastructure support and funding for direct service programs.
Small nonprofits with annual budgets under $200,000 receive special consideration through streamlined application processes, acknowledging their vital role in community education despite limited resources. This approach builds upon the foundation’s proven crisis response model, exemplified by the Florida First Coast Relief Fund which distributed $3.3 million to 87 nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The regional nonprofit landscape has grown significantly, with the 2025 State of the Sector Report identifying 1,445 organizations with $12.9 billion in annual revenue—representing an 8.5% inflation-adjusted increase since 2016. Grant priorities focus on organizational infrastructure improvements, technology enhancements, and staff professional development to ensure sustainable growth.
Building Career Pathways Through Strategic Partnerships
The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida has developed robust workforce collaborations to bridge education and employment. Their partnership with CareerSource NEFL delivered impressive results in 2023-2024, serving 19,517 job seekers, providing 171,151 services, and facilitating training for 333 employees who earned 601 credentials at an average cost of $2,291 per trainee.
These efforts extend to job placement services, with CareerSource NEFL posting 25,515 positions and making 33,490 employer referrals during the same period. The NEFL Jobs Initiative—a collaboration between Florida State College at Jacksonville and Bank of America—provides targeted support for African American/Black and Latino students through internships, credentials, and financial coaching.
Through these initiatives, the foundation helps create career development opportunities that align with regional workforce needs in high-demand sectors. This comprehensive approach ensures that education leads to meaningful employment outcomes for Northeast Florida residents.
Research-Driven Educational Innovation
The foundation’s commitment to evidence-based practices is evident in its support of the William T. Grant Scholars Program, which provides $425,000 over five years to early-career researchers investigating education and youth development policy. These research findings directly inform the foundation’s regional educational strategy and program development.
By investing in research, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida creates an evidence-driven foundation for its initiatives. This approach ensures that funding priorities align with documented community needs and emerging best practices in education and workforce development.
The foundation’s research partnerships extend to technical and vocational education, supporting First Coast Technical College initiatives that provide alternative pathways to traditional degrees. These programs specifically target low-income students pursuing workforce certifications designed to meet regional employment needs.
Responding to Educational Crises and Emergencies
Building on its COVID-19 relief experience, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida maintains flexible emergency funding for educational institutions and nonprofits facing unexpected challenges. This approach prioritizes food security, housing stability, and healthcare access—recognizing that basic needs must be met for educational success.
Small educational nonprofits receive targeted assistance during community emergencies, ensuring that vulnerable populations maintain access to learning opportunities despite external disruptions. The foundation coordinates with regional partners to maximize impact during crises, leveraging its extensive network of educational grant providers and community organizations.
This emergency response capability complements the foundation’s ongoing educational initiatives, creating a comprehensive safety net for Northeast Florida’s learning ecosystem. By maintaining this dual focus on long-term development and immediate needs, the foundation ensures continuity of educational services even during challenging times.
Future Educational Investment Priorities
Looking ahead, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida plans to expand its mentorship programs and increase access to rapid credentialing opportunities. These priorities respond to the region’s 7% growth in nonprofit organizations since 2016, reflecting an expanding sector with diverse educational needs.
The foundation’s investments in education directly drive regional economic development, creating pathways for residents to access higher-paying jobs and career advancement. Future initiatives will maintain the foundation’s commitment to equitable resource distribution across all six counties it serves.
By continuing to balance traditional scholarship support with innovative workforce development programs, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida ensures that its educational investments remain relevant to evolving community needs. This comprehensive approach positions the foundation as a catalyst for educational opportunity throughout Northeast Florida.
Sources
jaxcf.org – Apply for Grants or Scholarships
claytodayonline.com – Community Foundation has several scholarship options for students
jaxcf.org – 2025 Grant Opportunities Announced for Northeast Florida Nonprofits
fctc.edu – About Foundation
nonprofitctr.org – 2025 State of the Sector
firstcoastrelieffund.org – More than $3 million granted for COVID-19 relief in Northeast Florida
careersourcenortheastflorida.com – About
fscj.edu – NEFL Jobs Initiative
