Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis celebrated the success of the Hope Florida Initiative by awarding significant grants to outstanding churches through the Hope Florida CarePortal.
The top two need-meeting churches received $50,000 each, while 11 additional top-performing churches were awarded $25,000 each through the Hope Florida Fund.
Recognized churches included Spanish River Church, Grace Family Church, RiverLife Church, Oasis Church, Radiant Church, South Shore Community Church, Grace Bible Church of Highlands County, Idlewild Baptist Church, North River Church, Action Church, Bayside Community Church North River Campus, University Carillon United Methodist Church, and Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale.
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The Hope Florida Fund awards are supported by contributions from the Florida private sector, ensuring no taxpayer money is used. First Lady Casey DeSantis launched the Hope Florida Fund in July 2022 to leverage private sector generosity in funding local nonprofit organizations that support the Hope Florida initiative.
“We’re enabling churches to compete to meet the needs of Floridians through CarePortal,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The government should incentivize charity and philanthropy, not replace it. Hope Florida unites private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations to serve others and allows the government to step aside for the benefit of our citizens.”
“Through Hope Florida’s CarePortal, churches in every one of Florida’s 67 counties are meeting needs in real time,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Hope Florida has a simple premise—we assist Floridians in need by connecting them with help in their community. We sincerely thank the churches that have stepped up to utilize the Hope Florida CarePortal and answer the call to serve.”
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Hope Florida utilizes Hope Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity and economic independence by fostering collaboration between the private sector, faith-based communities, nonprofits, and government entities. This innovative program brings together different community sectors to maximize support and uncover new opportunities for those facing difficult times. The Hope Florida CarePortal alerts participating churches to immediate needs in their communities, allowing them to compete to fill these needs. Today’s recognized churches represent the top-performing CarePortal churches across Florida.
Hope Navigators help individuals identify their needs, develop long-term goals, map out a path forward, and ensure all community sectors have a ‘seat at the table’ to be part of a lasting solution. Since its launch, nearly 30,000 Floridians have reduced or eliminated their reliance on government assistance, estimated to save the State of Florida nearly $800 million over 10 years. Hope Florida serves families, veterans, single mothers, youth aging out of foster care, and other Floridians in need.
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“Our state’s faith institutions have long stood on the front lines serving the most vulnerable of their communities, and today we were thrilled to honor 15 of the top need-meeting churches through Hope Florida’s Care Portal,” said Erik Dellenback, the Governor’s Liaison for Faith and Community. “This was another unprecedented moment in Florida’s history made possible by the Governor’s bold commitment to faith and community and the First Lady’s incredible Hope Florida movement.”
“Thanks to the leadership of Governor and First Lady DeSantis, our Department has been able to transform the way we engage with families and continue to activate new faith-based partners and resources through the Hope Florida program,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “We are so honored to be able to give back to faith institutions that are helping our Hope Florida families overcome barriers as they work towards self-sufficiency and prosperity.”
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