The PCF Bus Tour on Friday, April 25, brought our team and several of our incredible fundholders together to explore the impact of local nonprofits across Pinellas County supported through PCF’s Operating Grants Program. Over the course of the morning, we visited four organizations that each serve a unique need within our community, offering a deeper look into how donor support is transforming lives across Pinellas County.
The immersive experience was designed to connect philanthropy with purpose, bringing donors closer to the work they make possible. It was a day filled with learning, listening, reflection, and above all, inspiration. Here’s a glimpse into each stop along the way, and the impressions they left on us.
Daystar Life Center: Dignity in Every Detail
Our first stop was Daystar Life Center, an organization committed to helping neighbors meet basic needs in time of crisis. Located in the heart of South St. Petersburg, Daystar is more than a resource center, it’s a place where individuals and families find compassionate support and tools for stability.
We toured their vibrant onsite food farm, which not only supplies their healthy food pantry but also offers agricultural education to local youth. It was a tangible example of how access to fresh food and community engagement can grow side by side.
We also learned about their unique mail service, which provides experiencing homelessness or housing instability with a secure mailing address. It’s a small offering with a big impact, allowing clients to apply for jobs, receive identification cards, and stay connected to vitral services.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Daystar was this: true dignity begins with meeting people where they are. By combining food access, financial coaching, and personalized support, Daystar is not just alleviating hardship, they’re investing in long term stability.
Creative Clay: Inclusion Through Expression
Next, we visited Creative Clay, a joyful and inspiring space that has been empowering artists with disabilities for nearly 30 years. Their mission, to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives through expressive, educational, and vocational experiences in the arts, was visible in every corner of the studio.
We toured their working art studios, met with talented member artists, and visited their Good Folk Gallery, where beautiful greeting cards, home décor, and prints of illustrated local landmarks are available for purchase. We were also treated to an unforgettable live vocal performance by artists in their music program, evidence of the powerful role creativity plays in connection and confidence.
The heart of Creative Clay’s work lies in its belief that art belongs to everyone. Their team of professional teach artists provides mentorship and community that extend beyond technique, nurturing self-worth, independence, and community inclusion.
A lesson echoed throughout our visit: when people are seen, celebrate, and supported in their authenticity, their potential is limitless.
Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center: Stewardship in Action
Our third stop brough us to the scenic St. Pete Pier, where the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center serves as a hub for environmental education and conservation.
Inside the center, we explored interactive exhibits that brought the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems to life. From touch tanks to stunning visual displays, the center’s exhibits highlighted the diversity and vulnerability of our local waters.
What stood out most was the center’s hands-on approach to education. It doesn’t just inform; it inspires action. Visitors leave with an understanding of how small, everyday choices impact the health of our environment, and how collective action can preserve our waterways for future generations.
The core insight here: environmental stewardship begins with awareness. The more we understand our ecosystem, the more equipped we are to protect it.
https://www.tbwdiscoverycenter.org/
Starting Right, Now: Safe Spaces for New Beginnings
Our final stop was at Starting Right, Now, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending youth homelessness by addressing the root causes, offering housing, mentoring, education, and a deep sense of belonging.
Touring the living quarters and communal spaces, we witnessed the impact of stability in a young person’s life. The care put into every detail, from supportive staff to structured routines, creates a sense of home for students who have lived without one.
Perhaps the most impactful was hearing how this support system becomes a chosen family. Everyone is held to high expectations, but they are also lifted by unwavering support. Through mentorship, access to resources, and a belief in their potential, young people are given the opportunity to thrive.
The insight we carried with us: hope is built through consistency, connection, and community. Starting Right, Now proves that when youth are given the opportunity to succeed, they rise.
A Day of Connection, Purpose, and Reflection
As we returned to PCF headquarters, the atmosphere on the bus was inevitably filled with reflection. Attendees expressed deep appreciation for the work being done across the county.
Many noted how valuable it was to witness the diversity of missions, from food security and inclusive arts to marine conversation and youth housing, and how each organization addressed a different facet of community need.
There was a common sentiment: seeing the work firsthand makes the impact real. It deepens understanding, reinforces commitment, and reminds us all why philanthropy matters.
Looking Ahead
At Pinellas Community Foundation, we believe that strengthening community starts with listening, learning, and building authentic connections. The PCF Bus Tour was a powerful reminder of how local organizations are addressing critical challenges every day, and how donor support continues to open doors, create opportunity, and build lasting change.
We look forward to offering more experiences that connect fundholders and PCF Membership donors directly with the people and organizations shaping a brighter future for Pinellas County.
We’re not just investing in solutions, we’re building relationships that move our community forward.
Interested in joining PCF Membership? Learn more here.
