Spurred by business leaders, foundation raises $2M to meet community needs

ST. PETERSBURG — Tampa attorney Ed Koren, Humana, Florida Blue and the Dimmitt family — who own several auto dealerships in the Tampa Bay region — are just a few of the donors that marshaled their resources in support of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, which in less than a month has been able to disburse more than $2 million to nonprofit organizations that provide relief to people affected by the COVID-19 crisis. 

According to a press release, the foundation has created a Nonprofit Needs List that details nonprofits’ greatest needs and the specific dollar amounts required to meet their goals. 

In just two weeks, the release states, the Nonprofits Needs List has compiled over $11 million in needs from more than 250 nonprofits across the foundation’s five-county service area. Needs range from $500 to $1 million, and cover all aspects of nonprofit service.

“Some of the most immediate appear to be in basic needs, such as housing and food, resources for domestic violence, access to mental health services and alternative ways to engage and educate students. We’re continuing to analyze the requests to see trends,” states Marlene Spalten, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, in the release. “Nonprofit leaders are being very creative in finding new ways to serve our community while maintaining the health of their staff and volunteers.”

Supporters are encouraged to contact nonprofits on the Nonprofit Needs List directly to make a donation.