Celebrating a Year of Resiliency and Impact: 2024 PCF Achievements
Dear Friends,
This past year reminded us again how much resilience matters. In the months following Hurricanes Milton and Helene, the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund was able to move resources quickly to people and communities most impacted. Because of the generosity of donors like you, we helped fill critical gaps in relief and recovery, supporting food, housing, transportation, and other essential needs. Your trust in Pinellas Community Foundation allowed us to act decisively when time mattered most.
Even beyond disaster response, the need for support in our community continues to grow. Our operating grant program received 235 applications this year, up from 180 two years ago, showing both the scope of our nonprofit sector and the mounting pressures these organizations face.
That is why sustainability matters. Endowments, permanent funds that generate annual support, give nonprofits stability they can count on no matter what the future holds. They help ensure that critical services remain in place, whether it is an ordinary year or one filled with unexpected challenges.
For many donors, a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is one of the most effective ways to give. A DAF works like a charitable investment account: you make a gift, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants over time to causes you care about. It is easy to open one with PCF or transfer an existing DAF here, and it can be a valuable tool for planning your philanthropy while maximizing your impact.
Every gift, every fund, and every partnership strengthen our ability to respond to urgent needs and invest in long-term solutions. On behalf of the board, staff, and the many organizations and individuals you have touched, thank you for your generosity and trust. You make a lasting difference in Pinellas County and beyond.
With gratitude,
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PCF BY THE NUMBERS
$124,839,210.68
Granted to nonprofits since PCF was founded in 1969
$146,470,696
In Total Assets
NEEDED: #
Legacy Society Members
$15,207,655
Granted in 2024
647
Grants Awarded in 2024
631
Nonprofits Supported Since 1969
How Palm Harbor Museum and PCF Are Building a Legacy That Lasts
A Community Treasure with Deep Roots
Palm Harbor Museum lives inside the 1919 Hartley House—a landmark where local history is carefully collected, preserved, and shared. Volunteers keep the doors open and the stories flowing, from colorful exhibits to a growing library of more than 70 oral histories. In July 2025, the Hartley House was recognized with a Florida Historical Marker, affirming its importance to Pinellas County’s cultural landscape.
Why an Endowment, and Why Now
Early leader Winona Nigels Jones envisioned a lasting foundation for the museum, a vision echoed by community champion Sallie Parks. In April 2025, the museum opened an endowment with Pinellas Community Foundation, seeded by an anonymous $5,000 gift. A volunteer “dream team” is now inviting supporters to help the fund grow so the museum can plan for years, not just seasons.
What Stable Funding Makes Possible
Endowment earnings will strengthen core operations: collections care, exhibit development, and welcoming public programs. The museum’s next milestone is a salaried Operations Manager to coordinate volunteers and outreach, plus stipends for young historians and emerging museum professionals—keeping talent local while expanding community impact. With PCF stewarding the investment, the team can stay focused on mission.
Looking Ahead
The goal is steady and ambitious: build the endowment to provide reliable annual support for people, programs, and preservation. With a durable funding base, Palm Harbor Museum will remain a trusted home for local stories, today and for generations to come.
The Power of Endowment
Philanthropy in Motion for Pinellas
Pinellas County is a place where residents and visitors thrive, and where neighbors look out for one another. Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) was established in 1969 to turn that spirit into lasting change.
In 2024, through the collective generosity of our donors, PCF awarded (NEEDED: total dollar amount of grants) in grants to nonprofits; investments designed to strengthen Pinellas now and for the future. Since our inception, PCF has distributed (NEEDED: total dollar amount) in grants, empowering (NEEDED: # of organizations) organizations to deliver measurable impact across the community. This shared commitment continues to transform lives and reinforce the fabric of Pinellas County.
NEEDED: # of
Competitive Grant Rounds
311
Nonprofits Supported
NEEDED: # of
Community Members Engaged In Competitive Grantmaking
NEEDED: # of
Grants Totaling (NEEDED: total $)
NEEDED: total $
Grants Totaling (Needed: total $) to Pinellas Nonprofits
220
Grants Directed by DAF Fundholders
Funding Pinellas Where It’s Needed Most
2024 Grants Grand Total: (NEEDED: total $)
2024 Grants Area Of Impact
Scholarship Spotlight: Finding His Voice at the Piano
Kathleen Monahan Foundation Fund Scholarship
A first-year at Florida State University (Class of 2029), Parker Towning is pursuing a B.A. in Music with a focus on classical piano—a passion lit by the performers he admired growing up. “The richness and emotion I feel when I perform is unlike any other feeling,” he shared. Later this month, he’ll appear in his first FSU recital, performing Debussy’s “Bruyères.” The Kathleen Monahan Foundation Fund Scholarship (2025) helped his family cover housing, food, and tuition, easing the transition so he could focus on practice and coursework.
Starting formal training later than many peers made auditions daunting, but being surrounded by “incredible musicians” fuels his growth. His bold goal: by May 2026, improve so much he won’t recognize his early playing on video. He credits mentor Kevin Ford of Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts for teaching that success isn’t solo work. With grit—and a community behind him—he’s aiming for a future as a freelance performer and a life grounded in music and family.
REAL PINELLAS COMMUNITY IMPACT
F.E.A.S.T. used their $15,000 grant to support the delivery of nutritious fruits and vegetables to Pinellas County’s most vulnerable residents. Clients have shared that the reliable availability of good quality food helps them feel more secure in their day-to-day lives.
NOMADstudio used their $15,000 grant to deliver arts enrichment to justice-involved youth and their families, serving over 1,000 Pinellas residents in 2024. These programs allow those without easy access to art to express their creativity and connect to the community in new ways.
Florida Resurrection House’s $15,000 grant allowed them to help local families break the cycle of poverty, with 91% of participants achieving critical milestones in their intensive, two-generation curriculum. This unique approach to stabilizing families relies on trauma-informed care and whole-family support.
The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation used their $20,000 grant to help stop the “summer slide” for 163 students enrolled in their programs, and supported 150 families with group mental health activities.
The flexible nature of Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center’s $15,000 grant allowed them to adapt to community needs and provide psychoeducationl group sessions for elementary aged children. Parents and therapists observed improved problem-solving skills, along with improved emotional regulation.
Voices of Hope for Aphasia’s $15,000 grant allowed them to engage in over 7200 hours of critical programming to improve the well-being of those affected by aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate.
2024 Operating Grant Recipients
(LIST OF NONPROFITS NEEDED)
PCF 2024 Expenses and Revenues
Total Operating Expenses: $1,716,240
Total Revenues: $(NEEDED)
Strategic Asset Allocation
Asset Allocation Summary
The substantial size of the investment pool at Pinellas Community Foundation enables us to maintain a highly diversified portfolio, with access to a broad range of asset classes and top-tier investment managers. This diversity enhances our ability to meet and exceed performance objectives across different economic and market conditions.
Our investments are rigorously reviewed by both an investment committee and a third-party firm to ensure we are maximizing returns. We are proud to have received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on our most recent audited financial statements, which are available at pinellascf.org or upon request.
Total Assets
Annual Grants
Endowment Returns
Donor Spotlight: Steve’s Smile Fund
A Legacy of Joy, Turned Into Action
Steve’s Smile honors the life and legacy of Steven Stuebs, PE—Founder and President of AVID Group—who passed away in 2021. Friends and family remember Steve’s trademark grin and the kindness behind it. The fund carries that spirit forward by supporting children with disabilities, kids facing critical illnesses, and youth programs that build confidence and hope. “Our vision is simple yet powerful: transforming lives with smiles,” the fund’s stewards shared. Through partnerships and hands-on initiatives, they aim to bring practical help and joyful moments to the children and families who need them most.
Why PCF
When it came time to choose a philanthropic home, the Steve’s Smile team looked for local insight and dependable guidance. “We partnered with Pinellas Community Foundation because of their trusted leadership, community connections, and expertise,” they said. PCF offers a clear path for impact—helping define priorities, streamline giving, and connect donors with effective local nonprofits. “With PCF, we have a relationship. They understand our mission and help us make the greatest possible difference.”
What the Partnership Makes Possible
With PCF managing administrative and compliance details, the fund can stay focused on outcomes—supporting programs like autism services, juvenile diabetes initiatives, and youth development. That practical support ranges from covering direct services to strengthening the organizations that deliver them. “PCF has been a trusted resource, partner, and platform to help us manage and grow our charitable initiatives,” the team noted. One highlight was PCF’s Nonprofit Bus Tour: “Hearing the passion these nonprofits bring to their work—and seeing their impact firsthand—was inspiring. It reaffirmed why philanthropy matters and why we’re so committed to this work.”
Impact Today & What’s Next
The fund’s purpose is both heart-led and outcome-focused: help children get the care, tools, and opportunities they need to thrive. Looking ahead, Steve’s Smile plans to expand its reach each year—funding more programs, assisting more families, and building durable partnerships that increase awareness and resources over time. For others considering a donor-advised fund, the team’s advice is simple: “Starting a fund with Pinellas Community Foundation means partnering with a trusted local expert in philanthropy. PCF provides specialized guidance, resources, and support that help you maximize the impact of your giving.”
Transfer Your Existing DAF to PCF
Move your donor-advised fund with ease—and make your giving feel personal and local. PCF pairs you with a dedicated philanthropic advisor, connects you to effective Pinellas nonprofits, and handles the paperwork so the switch is simple: outline goals, sign your new DAF agreement, and recommend a transfer from your current sponsor. We’ll take it from there.
YOUR CHARITABLE FUND
How to Create a Fund
Creating a fund is as easy as 1-2-3:
- 1
Define Your Charitable Objectives: Decide which organizations you want to support and how often you’d like to contribute. This step allows you to align your giving with the causes that matter most to you.
- 2
Name Your Fund: Choose a meaningful name for your fund. Many people opt to honor their family name or commemorate a loved one. (Examples: Bob Rivers Foundation or Sally Fields Memorial Fund)
- 3
Seed Your Fund: Start your fund by contributing cash, real estate, securities, or other appropriate assets. This initial investment sets the foundation for your charitable legacy.
Making Your Vision a Reality
Once your assets are transferred, your charitable vision comes to life. Your fund will be invested, and you can begin making charitable contributions immediately.
