Sunday’s Child Announces 2023 Grant Finalists

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Sunday’s Child Announces 2023 Grant Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dakota Parks
Phone: 319-750-8801
Email: dakotasundayschild@gmail.com

Sunday’s Child Announces 2023 Grant Finalists


PENSACOLA, Fla. (May 1, 2023) – Sunday’s Child, a Pensacola Bay Area member-based philanthropic group that promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality by awarding grants to significant charitable and economic initiatives, recently announced its 2023 Grant Cycle finalists. The finalists were selected after a thorough vetting process and site visits by Sunday’s Child members. The nonprofits and their projects vying for one of six grants in the amount of $20,000 are:

  • Washington High Softball Booster Club: Project - If We Build it, They Will Come

  • Dixon School of Arts and Science: Project - Dixon Cultural Immersion Lab

  • Community Health Northwest Florida: Project - Closing the Treatment Loop for the LGBTQIA+

  • Bright Bridge Ministries: Project - A Comfortable Space is a Welcoming Place

  • Re-entry Alliance Pensacola, Inc.: Project - Modernizing an Outdated System

  • Stamped LGBTQIA Film Festival: Project - Growing Up: Expanding LGBTQIA+ Programs for Children and Families at Stamped Film Festival

  • Pensacola Little Theatre: Project - On the Same Page: Race and Censorship at the Clark Family Cultural Center

  • Valerie's House Pensacola Chapter: Project - Gender Neutral Bathrooms

  • Council on Aging of West Florida: Project - Someone Waits for Me, too

Funding for the grants comes from Sunday’s Child members. Since 2014, Sunday’s Child has awarded $764,250 to local charities in the Pensacola Bay Area. Sunday’s Child President Jacey Cosentino announced in January that the 2023 membership drive had resulted in $120,000 raised from among its 182 members that would enable the organization to award six grants of $20,000 each to 501(c)3 nonprofits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality. Cosentino stated, “We are so pleased to announce 9 deserving organizations from within our community; each has a shared passion for making everyone feel included and welcomed.”

Sunday’s Child members will select the six grant recipient charities and their projects from among the 9 finalists at its annual meeting on June 25, 2023. For more information on Sunday’s Child and its grant process, visit sundayschild.org.


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Sunday’s Child announces finalists for 2021 grants

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Sunday’s Child announces finalists for 2021 grants

Sunday's Child, a Pensacola-area nonprofit which promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality, announced the 2021 finalists vying for more than $100,000 in grant awards. Four grants of $27,000 will be awarded at the annual Sunday’s Child membership meeting on June 27.

The eight finalists competing for the grants are Bright Bridge Ministries, United for a Good Cause, University of West Florida Historic Trust, Gulf Coast Kid’s House, CIL of Northwest Florida, A HOPE, Children’s Home Society, and Village Hands.

For 2021, the organization raised $108,000 among 165 members, which will be awarded to Pensacola Bay Area nonprofit organizations that place value on diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Launched in 2014, Sunday’s Child uses a fundraising model similar to Impact 100 — individual members or member ensembles donate $1,000 annually, with 100 percent of funds going toward grant awards to local organizations. Grant applications are vetted by Sunday’s Child members, and the winners of each year’s grants are determined by the votes of members at the annual meeting.

Over the past seven years, Sunday’s Child has raised over $644,000 for local organizations. Each and every dollar raised has been used to fund projects which impact areas such as child welfare, animal welfare, hunger issues, LGBTQ+ issues, health, adults with disabilities and the arts.

“This past year has truly been a challenge for all of us,” said Gary Rhodes, board president of Sunday’s Child. “I am grateful to our generous members and our amazing board for ensuring we were able to continue our mission of promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity through giving back to the Pensacola Bay area. Our local nonprofit organizations are out there on the front lines helping and inspiring those in our community that need it most. We’re so honored to play a small part in the incredible work they do.”

Sunday’s Child grant winners will be announced on June 27.  To learn more, or to find out how you can be a part of Sunday’s Child, visit www.sundayschild.org.

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Sunday's Child Featured on Rolling with Madrina

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Sunday's Child Featured on Rolling with Madrina

Sunday’s Child was the featured nonprofit on Rolling with Madrina on Dec 31, 2020. Four of Sunday’s Child Board Members, Gary Rhodes, President of Sunday’s Child, Cheryl Etheredge, Co-Chair of Membership, Jacey Consentino, Treasurer, and Ann Yoshihashi, Co-Chair of Grants Committee discussed the mission of the organization, how people can join, how nonprofits can apply for grants and the goal of making an impact on the community while promoting inclusion and diversity with an LGBTQ+ accepting community. See the program HERE.

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Sunday's Child Awards $100,000 to four Pensacola Bay Area Nonprofits

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Sunday's Child Awards $100,000 to four Pensacola Bay Area Nonprofits

Four charities across the Pensacola Bay Area received grants from Sunday’s Child, an LGBTQ-focused philanthropic non-profit, to fund initiatives and projects that promote diversity of the LGBTQ community and inspire inclusion throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. 

The awards were announced after an online vote at Sunday’s Child’s 6th annual membership meeting held via Zoom online meeting platform. Projects and initiatives submitted by the Council on Aging of Northwest Florida, INERTIA Education Programs, OASIS Florida, and Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge were selected for funding by the 186 members of Sunday’s Child.

Each of the four organizations will receive $25,000 to fund their projects.

The projects being pursued by the four charities vary in focus. Council on Aging of Northwest Florida will produce a mini documentary capturing the daily lives of LGBT couples along with narrative passages of their stories.  The purpose is to raise awareness in the community of the unique challenges face by older LGBT citizens.

INERTIA Education Programs will expand their high-impact, experimental learning activities after school program to five additional Pensacola area schools. These programs have proved effective at raising standardized test score in the areas of math and science.

OASIS Florida will use funds to enhance their PrEP program for HIV prevention. Many high risk individuals from low income backgrounds lack the insurance or funds for the addition lab work and physician follow up visits required to participate in the PrEP program. This grant will allow up to 74 additional people to receive the services they need to stay healthy.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge will purchase new x-ray equipment for their facility in Santa Rosa County. This equipment will allow medial staff to better diagnose and treat injured animals in a timely manner and will likely save hundreds of live each year.

“Our nonprofit community always impresses with the services and project they provide our community,” said Gary Rhodes, President of Sunday’s Child. “Covid-19 has certainly presented new challenges for everyone. We are thankful we are able to help these organization continue their mission.”

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Sunday's Child Announces $100,000 Available for 2020 Grant Cycle

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Sunday's Child Announces $100,000 Available for 2020 Grant Cycle

Sunday’s Child held its annual Kickoff event on Thursday, January 23 at the Studer Community Institute. Members were greeted with the projection of the Sunday’s Child logo on the side of the building. Inside delicious food and beverages were waiting and the “Folk New Grass” sound of the band Bear With Me filled the air. After some mingle time and a brief presentation, Treasurer Cory Wilkinson announced the organization raised $100,000 among 168 members. Those dollars will be awarded to Pensacola Bay Area non-profit organizations that place value on diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Launched in 2014, Sunday's Child uses a model similar to Impact 100 — individual members or member ensembles donate $1,000 annually, with 100 percent of funds going toward grant awards. Grant applications are vetted by members and winners are determined by the votes of members at an annual meeting.

Over the past six years the organization has raised over $536,000. One hundred percent of dollars raised have funded projects that impacted areas such as child welfare, animal welfare, hunger issues, LGBTQ+ issues, health, adults with disabilities and the arts. 

“Pensacola and the surrounding area are served by some amazing nonprofit organizations,” said Gary Rhodes, board president of Sunday’s Child. “Our members recognize not only the importance of supporting local nonprofits but also the importance of creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all of our citizens, including our LGBTQ citizens.”

Sunday's Child will award four grants of $25,000 in June. Letters of intent may be submitted now through Wednesday, Feb. 19.

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Sunday’s Child awards $106,000 to four Pensacola Bay Area charities during 5th annual grant awards

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Sunday’s Child awards $106,000 to four Pensacola Bay Area charities during 5th annual grant awards

Four charities across the Pensacola Bay Area received grants from Sunday’s Child, an LGBTQ-focused philanthropic non-profit, to fund initiatives and projects that promote diversity of the LGBTQ community and inspire inclusion throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. 

The awards were announced after a live vote at Sunday’s Child’s 5th annual membership meeting held Sunday at the Museum of Commerce in downtown Pensacola. Projects and initiatives submitted by the Pensacola Opera, Manna Food Pantries, Golden Elite Track and Field Club, and A HOPE for Santa Rosa County were selected for funding by the 186 members of Sunday’s Child.

Each of the four organizations will receive $26,500 to fund their projects.

The projects being pursued by the four charities vary in focus. The Pensacola Opera will present three performances of the one act opera titled “As One,” which follows Hannah, a transgender woman, through her discovery of her gender identity and learning how to love herself in a world in which she is not accepted.  

Golden Elite Track and Field Club will focus their funding on the purchase of a large passenger van to help transport its athletes to and from practices and competitions, and to carry equipment for outdoor competitions. The club is committed to providing transportation to children of diverse ethnicities with social-economic challenges who are unable to participate in organized sports.

Manna Food Pantries plans to purchase and install new warehouse equipment and signage, providing more efficient, effective and safe operations at their new facility on E Street in Pensacola to help prepare for their November 2019 food drive. The funding will have an operation-wide effect, touching more than 10,000 citizens that rely on their services and more than 5,000 volunteers in just the first year alone.

A HOPE for Santa Rosa County is a not-for-profit with the mission of providing low-cost spay/neuter/vaccines/micro chipping services, rescue support, and community outreach programs, leading to the prevention of unnecessary euthanasia of companion animals in Santa Rosa County, Florida. Their “Fix and Chip” project will provide funding to spay/neuter, vaccinate against rabies, and microchip 300 indoor cats and 100 dogs that are owned by residents of Santa Rosa County. 

“We are proud of the work and accomplishments these organizations have already achieved,” said Drew Buchanan, outgoing President of Sunday’s Child. “We are thrilled to see these grants go towards initiatives and projects that further our mission of equality and inclusion.”

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Sunday’s Child announces grant finalists vying for $106,000

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Sunday’s Child announces grant finalists vying for $106,000

Pensacola, FL – Sunday’s Child, a Pensacola Bay Area philanthropic organization that promotes LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion, has announced the selection of ten finalists that will vie for four grants of $26,500 each.

In the fall of 2018, the organization raised $106,000 among nearly 200 members that will be awarded to local Pensacola Bay Area non-profit organizations that place value on diversity, inclusion, and equality.

On June 23, Sunday’s Child will award the grants to four Pensacola-area non-profit organizations that have shown their commitment to diversity and acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. This year, the following non-profits have been announced as finalists (in no particular order) to compete for the four grant awards:

  • Golden Elite Track and Field

  • Gulf Coast Kid's House

  • Manna Food Pantries

  • Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries

  • Keep Pensacola Beautiful

  • A HOPE for Santa Rosa County

  • Pensacola Opera

  • ARC Gateway

  • Pensacola Children's Chorus

  • Studer Community Institute

Sunday’s Child members will hear each of these ten organizations present their projects at the Sunday’s Child annual membership meeting and participate in a live vote to award the $106,000 in grant awards.

“The mission of Sunday’s Child is one of acceptance and unity in our diversity,” said Drew Buchanan, President of Sunday’s Child. “We’re prideful of the fact that our community is made up of individuals and organizations that celebrate our unique differences. In just a few short years, we’ve given back nearly half-a-million dollars to our community, proving just how much the citizens of the Pensacola Bay Area care about diversity in their communities.”

Funding for the charitable grants comes from contributions from individual and ensemble group memberships. Sunday’s Child has grown to nearly 200 members since its founding and with this year's grants, the organization will have awarded more than $430,000 since 2015.

Launched in 2014, Sunday's Child is made up of members that donate funds annually. 100 percent of funds donated go towards grant awards, which are determined by the votes of members annually in June. The group places an emphasis on grants to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that place value on diversity, inclusion, and equality in the Pensacola Bay Area of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The four grants will go directly to the nonprofit recipients, funding a broad range of projects and activities:

To learn more about Sunday’s Child, make a donation, or to apply for a grant, visit www.sundayschild.org.

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2018 Grant Winner Update: Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy

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2018 Grant Winner Update: Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy

The Barkery, a kitchen for dog treats, operated by students of the Capstone Academy, has completed installation of their equipment. They are now in the process of perfecting recipes, developing skills associated with measuring and mixing ingredients from their recipes and cooking the treats. 

The students are engaged in each stage of the Barkery’s efforts and are now completing their training and background screening. The samples of dog treats have been sent to the State laboratory for testing and once clearance is obtained, the sales of the treats in selected locations in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties as well as the Capstone Pet Place Shop in Milton will begin. 

The remainder of the Sunday’s Child grant will be used to pay the student-employees once the treats are cleared for sale. It is anticipated that the sales will fund salaries beyond the Sunday’s Child grant.

Barkery+Students.jpg

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UPDATE: OASIS Florida Wins State Grant

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UPDATE: OASIS Florida Wins State Grant

In June of this year, OASIS Florida won a grant of $25,000.00 from Sunday’s Child. OASIS provides testing, prevention, case management and other types of care and support for people living with HIV. The grant from Sunday’s Child has enabled the organization to hire more staff members for their new Mobile Outreach Program that serves Northwest Florida by bringing testing services, information on prevention, and support to those living with HIV to communities that may not have easy access to those services. It was anticipated that the increased testing numbers would provide the basis for additional state funding which will sustain the Mobile Outreach Program. This week in a note from Kurt Goodman, Director of Prevention, we learned that OASIS Florida did indeed win the grant they were pursuing. See What Kurt had to say below:

“We received good news today.   We were successful in convincing the state to fund our mobile testing program.   As of January 2019 the state will raise our funding by $61,000 a year guaranteed for the next three years.

We could not have shown the state the outreach and testing numbers we did without the support of Sunday's Child.   Please tell your members this grant has definitely made a difference in the long term services we can provide in our community.”

Congratulations to OASIS Florida!

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SUNDAY’S CHILD – UNITY PROJECT AND COURAGE WALL

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SUNDAY’S CHILD – UNITY PROJECT AND COURAGE WALL

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UNITY PROJECT

An interactive public art project created in response to the divisiveness and negative rhetoric in America.

Date: Nov. 1-12
Location: UWF Historic Trust’s Museum Plaza

Sunday’s Child’s UNITY project and Courage Wall is an interactive public art project built and on display in downtown Pensacola at downtown Pensacola’s Museum Plaza during the 2018 Foo Foo Festival celebration.

UNITY is a larger-than-life structure that celebrates our cultural uniqueness and strengthens our ties to each other. The project consists of 32 posts, each with identifiers such as, “I’m a parent; I’m a Veteran; I speak English as a second language; I identify as LGBTQ,” etc. Participants tie colorful ribbons to posts that reflect their identities, with the ribbons eventually intertwined to create a web of interconnectedness. In the end, we see that we are all connected by something, and it’s our diversity that builds a strong and vibrant community. In addition to UNITY, the installation will include the “Courage Wall,” a larger-than-life chalk board that repeatedly reads, “I wish I had the courage to…” and allows visitors to complete the sentence and share their own unique stories.

This public art gateway installation located in the heart of downtown Pensacola aims to highlight the unique characteristics of citizens and the story of our city through a welcoming public artwork installation by promoting diversity and the collecting and sharing of the stories of all Pensacolians.

Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, November 2018. Sunday's Child Unity Project

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