Community Highlights Franklin County is recognized for its abundant natural resources, and its distinct coastal communities. Residents and guests alike find solace in birding, hiking nature trails, fishing and more. Opportunities abound to protect and enhance this unique natural environment. Our first order of business was supporting the Helping Hands Ministries, helping offset the cost of food distributed to unemployed Franklin County fishermen during a red tide outbreak. Since then we’ve provided a capacity building grant to the Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper, Inc. for their important stewardship of the Bay and River. Other STJCF initiatives include education funding for teaching and learning grants,a take stock in children scholarship, the Challenger Learning Program that benefits sixth graders, support for a county-wide after-school program through the Boys and Girls Club and providing support to the Senior Citizen’s Council program that reaches out to homebound senior citizens in rural areas. We’ve assisted Franklin’s Promise’s work to rally community support for a Food Pantry and helped the landmark Dixie Theatre restructure to help “Save the Dixie.” We’ve worked toward building community through support to counseling programs and to the fledgling Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County. Full Grants List