St. Joe Commnunity Foundation

The St. Joe Company (JOE) has been a neighbor of Northwest Florida for over 75 years. During that time, we’ve seen our business change, although our dedication to the area remains. JOE is committed to preserving and protecting the unique part of Florida we call home. That’s why we developed the STJCF, a resource for investing in the community, making it a better place to live, work and play.

In 1999, the STJCF was established through The St. Joe Company and funded by transfer fees generated by the sale of homesites in certain towns and resorts in Walton, Bay and Gulf counties.

By 2001, the STJCF became a 501(c) (3) independent non-profit organization. In this same year, we granted nearly $400,000 in the region.

In 2002, we added Franklin County to the list of areas served, expanding our commitment across the region. We hired our first director to reach out into the community and form partnerships with like-minded organizations.

2003 saw the Foundation’s giving capacity grow by approximately $1.5 million and we made grants to the region of more than one million.

In 2004 more than $ 2 million was pledged and granted, a $100,000 grant was awarded for the purchase of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The AEDs were placed in law enforcement vehicles and public buildings in Walton County. Bay County Sheriff’s Department was able to equip the patrol cars. Gulf and Franklin Counties were also recipients of this life saving equipment. Training was conducted by Eddie Rivers of the South Walton Fire District. The American Red Cross received $100,000 to assist with the disaster relief from Hurricane Ivan. The first $100,000 payment of a $500,000 five year pledge was paid for the construction of the Aquatic Center at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.

2005 brought Katrina victims to our area. STJCF granted $150,000 to assist the victims who were seeking shelter in Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Walton Counties. Over $ 1 million was granted in support of many educational programs in all four counties. The first payment of $500,000 of a $ 5 million grant to the Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Port St Joe was made. A total of over $ 2.5 million was granted and pledged.

The Kendrick Sports Complex in Carrabelle was completed in 2006. STJCF granted $200,000 to help make this much needed park a reality. Nearly $980,000 was contributed to various programs in all four counties.

$1,006,000 was granted in 2007 with the Sacred Heart Hospitals both in Walton and Gulf Counties being the largest payments.

In 2008 the final $100,000 payment of a $500,000 pledge was made to the Aquatic Center in Frank Brown Park, Panama City Beach Grants totaled $840,000.

Even with the struggle of the economy, The St Joe Community Foundation still managed to invest nearly $842,000 in our Northwest Florida Community in 2009.

Today we’ve made a big difference in a short time. Working with a growing number of community partners, we’ve added another hospital and expanded literacy opportunities throughout the region. We’ve helped to strengthen families through grants for early child-care, after-school programs, and new recreational facilities. Our grants attest to our commitment to expand educational opportunities, improve healthcare, to conserve natural and historic places and to increase cultural arts offerings.