St. Joe Community Foundation Grant will help Grow Humanitarian Outreach Efforts

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA- December 1, 2004- Today Pamela Selton, Executive Director of The St. Joe Community Foundation, and Frank Dean, Executive Director of BASIC NWFL, Inc., announced a multi-year capacity building grant and pledge totaling $103,000 from the Foundation to BASIC NWFL, Inc.  The grant coincides with the relocation of the 15 year old organization to their new location at 432 Magnolia Avenue, Panama City. The funds are intended to help the organization grow their capacity to better serve at-risk individuals in the region. 

The grant helps BASIC expand their community outreach services to the most vulnerable citizens in the region.  While they remain a volunteer governed, community based organization dedicated to aiding, assisting and comforting those living with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, and to providing awareness, education and prevention information to citizens in a six county area, BASIC plans to expand those services.  This grant will help them provide additional services to the hungry and homeless in Bay, Franklin and Gulf counties, as part of a community coalition to prevent any type of avoidable disease, as well as substance abuse prevention.  BASIC has a unique way of collaborating and partnering with other local agencies to provide needed services to at-risk individuals.  Their motto, “Compassion Without Judgment,” is apparent in the everyday services BASIC provides to the entire region.

  According to Frank Dean, “BASIC especially appreciates the foresight of The St. Joe Company when they formed The St. Joe Community Foundation.  They have a great philosophy to invest in local initiatives that provide services for the betterment of the community.  BASIC thanks The St. Joe Community Foundation for their belief in us and our endeavors to create a healthier community.”

”BASIC offers the promise of long-term improvements in the health of citizens of our region,” said Selton. “ BASIC’s collaboration with other agencies and care-givers is vital to the success of collective social service responses and the Foundation is pleased to be able to support their important work.”

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About BASIC NWFL, Inc.

BASIC NWFL, Inc., formerly known as Bay AIDS Services & Information Coalition, Inc., was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1989.  BASIC’s original mission was to aid, assist and comfort individuals infected with the AIDS virus in Bay County.  

      Almost immediately, the agency expanded its services to a six county area.  Over the years, BASIC’s mission changed to keep up with advancements in the treatment of HIV and the increasing needs of individuals and their families.  In 1996, BASIC expanded its mission to the area of education and prevention.  In 2004 BASIC’s mission changed once again to include the prevention of substance abuse and risky behaviors that can lead to HIV infection.

        BASIC relies primarily on Federal Funding to provide these services to the community.  Most of the Federal funding comes to BASIC through the Florida Department of Health.  As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, BASIC is always grateful for support from the local community.  When local community organizations help to support BASIC’s mission, it validates our commitment to provide these services.

      To learn more about BASIC NWFL and our services, log on to www.basicnwfl.com

About The St. Joe Community Foundation

       The St. Joe Company created The St. Joe Community Foundation (STJCF) in 1999 to invest in community initiatives that pay long-term returns on the quality of life in Bay, Franklin, Gulf, and Walton counties.

       Since its inception STJCF has granted more than $3,800,000 to the region. STJCF’s unique funding structure is based on payments from JOE that are a percentage of the proceeds from new sales in specific JOE communities.  Payments continue each time the properties are resold through deed covenants requiring a transfer fee to be paid to STJCF each time a property is subsequently sold.  In this way, JOE, and the property owners who live in our neighborhoods are partnering with the community for the betterment of the entire region.

       Focused primarily on education, regional health care delivery, art and culture, parks and recreation, and community spirit, Foundation investments are based on building civic infrastructure and providing on-going improvements in the region through grants and initiatives that promote teaching and learning and create healthier communities.  To learn more about STJCF log on to www.stjcf. com