More than $7 million in funding to assist SJC local nonprofit agencies
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners put aside more than $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. That money has, and will continue to go to the United Way of St. Johns County as part of a planned partnership. The mission; to assist local nonprofit agencies in expanding social services as a result of the COIVD-19 pandemic.
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This partnership has allowed organizations within St. Johns County to apply for funding to assist individuals in the community who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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United Way of St. Johns used its “volunteer-driven grant-making process” to help create ideas and programs to help those in need. This information was presented with funding recommendations to the county’s ARPA Steering Committee.
United Way of St. Johns County, in coordination with St. Johns County, made ARPA grants public in September 2022. It continued providing information and assistance until the ARPA application closed on Nov. 9, 2022.
By the end of the application close date, United Way recruited more than 30 community volunteers to assist with both program and capital campaign funding requests.
So far, $4,375,000 in program funding has been approved to assist 19 agencies and 22 programs in St. Johns County. These grants will help agencies respond to public health needs or the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“United Way of St. Johns County is proud of our volunteers and staff for helping to invest these vital funds into our community,” Joe Pickens, United Way of St. Johns County Board Chair, said. We applaud the excellent work that our nonprofit partners are already doing to serve our neighbors with these resources.”
The first wave of funding was released in March 2023 to 19 agencies delivering impactful services across St. Johns County. These agencies received 18-month funding contracts and will provide quarterly reporting on the performance and fund accounting.
“I am thrilled with the results of this program,” St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold said. “ARPA funds were designed to benefit those in need within our community. Additionally, these funds will assist those who were the most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By partnering with United Way, St Johns County can be proud that we have accomplished this goal.”
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Below is a table with the partner agency and how much funding has been allocated to each:
ARPA Partner Agency Name | Amount |
|---|---|
Alpha-Omega Miracle Home, Inc. | $250,000.00 |
Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. - St. Augustine | $250,000.00 |
Children’s Home Society of Florida | $250,000.00 |
Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of St Johns County, Inc. | $114,800.00 |
EPIC Community Services, Inc. | $250,000.00 |
First Coast Cultural Center | $102,000.00 |
Goodwill Industries of North Florida | $148,426.00 |
Hugs Across the County, Inc. | $113,494.00 |
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid | $250,000.00 |
Operation New Hope | $250,000.00 |
Prevention Coalition of St Johns County | $90,000.00 |
St Augustine Society, Inc. | $691,307.00 |
St Augustine Youth Services, Inc. | $500,000.00 |
St Johns County Education Foundation, Inc. | $86,973.00 |
St Johns Housing Partnership, Inc. | $250,000.00 |
The Salvation Army | $178,000.00 |
The Young Men's Christian Association of Florida’s First Coast, Inc | $250,000.00 |
Wildflower Healthcare | Good Samaritan Health Centers, Inc | $250,000.00 |
Youth Crisis Center | $100,000.00 |
TOTAL ARPA PROGRAM FUNDING | $4,375,000.00 |
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