A Record $725,000 Awarded to Local Non-Profits |
On April 13 the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program (GHCOP) Philanthropy Committee hosted its Annual Award Breakfast recognizing the remarkable work being done throughout Indian River County.
GHCOP proudly awarded a record $725,000 in grants to 32 local nonprofit organizations serving critical needs in the areas of Food Insecurity, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Education and Homelessness / Housing. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donor support in the Grand Harbor community, once again 100% of donations were awarded directly to local agencies and the individuals and families they serve.
The 2025–2026 season also highlighted the growing importance of GHCOP’s Summer Emergency Strategic Grant initiative. During the summer months, many agencies experience increased demand while traditional funding sources become limited. GHCOP’s ability to respond quickly to urgent and unexpected needs continues to provide a critical safety net for our community partners.
Our primary fundraising efforts continue to include the Annual Fund plus extraordinary events Evening of Giving, Gala, and Annual Golf Outing — all made possible through the dedication of volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters throughout Grand Harbor. In this issue, you will find information about the agencies we support and the meaningful work they perform every day to improve lives throughout Indian River County.
We are incredibly grateful for donor compassion and generosity over the past 25 years and warmly welcome new residents and club members stepping forward to continue the important work. |
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US HELP THOSE IN NEED! |
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Our Father’s Table: $14,000 to fund meals served at their site in Gifford and to provide meals to the elderly and homebound. Residents drop into the church to enjoy their meals and socialize. Volunteers deliver meals to the homes of those not able to get to the site.
Senior Resource Association (SRA): $27,000 to the Meals on Wheels Program providing a vital daily hot meal and wellness check to low-income homebound seniors. SRA promotes independence and dignity by providing services to older adults.
The Food Pantry of IRC: $32,000 to pay for the purchase of milk for the families and elderly who qualify for assistance. The Food Pantry was the first agency to receive a summer strategic grant in 2023. During the summer of 2025, they received a $19,000 strategic grant to help pay for meat. |
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of IRC: $15,000 to provide literacy skills and improve kindergarten readiness. Childcare Resources: $35,000 to subsidize high quality childcare for children with working parents.
Children’s Home Society: $15,000 to support a family program at Dodgertown Elementary School. CrossOver Mission: $34,000 to sustain after school and summer programs for at-risk children.
Feed the Lambs: $10,000 to provide disadvantaged youth opportunities to succeed academically and build confidence. Gifford Youth Achievement Center: $38,000 to support after-school education programs.
Healthy Start Coalition of IRC: $24,000 to fund literacy initiatives focused on children and parents. Hibiscus Children’s Center: $25,000 to support the Career Pathways to Independence Program.
Literacy Services of Indian River County: $18,000 to support literacy programs for local adults. The Learning Alliance: $38,000 to support two Moonshot programs in the Gifford community.
Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast: $8,000 to provide Horse-Powered Reading with Equine Assisted Learning. Youth Guidance Mentoring: $26,000 to fund staffing programs for youth ages 5-24
Economic Opportunities Council: $15,000 to cultivate school readiness through dramatic play: equipping Dodgertown, Douglas and St. Helen’s Head Start programs. |
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Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of IRC: $22,000 to support the Gifford Community Program which offers memory and movement programs, caregiver support and dementia education to Gifford residents free of charge.
Camp Haven: $18,000 to support professional and emotional support to residents and assist homeless men in regaining self-esteem and independence.
Mental Health Association of IRC: $18,000 to assist the Walk-In Counseling Center which provides immediate assistance and focuses on preventing harm from untreated mental health issues.
Samaritan Center for Homeless Families: $20,000 to provide mental and emotional therapy in their residential setting to homeless families and teach life skills. THRIVE (formerly Substance Awareness of IRC): $20,000 to provide housing and peer-based recovery support. The Salvation Army: $15,000 to assist our neighbors with food, shelter and bill assistance all year long. Sunshine Rehabilitation Center of IRC: $16,000 to provide financial support of the Pediatric Occupational and Speech Therapy Program. The ARC of IRC: $30,000 to support the Client Medical Management program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Source (I am Ministries): $25,000 to support mental health services to members who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. During the summer of 2025, The Source received a strategic grant of $8,000.00 to cover the cost of a new oven.
Treasure Coast Community Health: $22,000 to support a behavioral health service provider to students at Dodgertown Elementary School. Tykes & Teens: $27,000 to support evidence-based interventions for young children and families affected by trauma.
United Against Poverty: $26,000 to support the Success Training for Employment Program (STEP). VNA of the Treasure Coast: $16,000 to assist in providing healthcare through the Medicaid Eligible Care Program. |
HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING ($91K) |
Habitat for Humanity of IRC: $17,000 to assist in the construction of a new home for an eligible family. Homeless Children’s Foundation: $15,000 to provide funds for their Compassion in Action program.
The Hope for Families Center: $29,000 to fund operating needs of the homeless family shelter. Safe Families for Children: $15,000 to assist with costs associated with connecting families in crisis with community resources. |
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In Indian River County, food insecurity remains an urgent reality for too many families. Rising grocery costs and economic challenges force parents to make impossible choices between paying bills and putting nutritious meals on the table. Hope starts here with a community that refuses to let neighbors go hungry and comes together to ensure that every family has access to the nourishment they need.
When the price of meat soared and local food pantries faced difficult choices, GHCOP stepped in. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provided critical funding that helped local pantries purchase thousands of pounds of protein, ensuring that hundreds of families continued to receive healthy, protein-rich meals when they needed them most. Every meal served represents the compassion of our Grand Harbor community. We simply could not feed the hungry without you.
Thank you for helping us provide hope, dignity, and nourishment to our neighbors in need. Together, we are proving that hope truly starts here.
With sincere gratitude, |
President,
Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program |
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Thanks to the generosity of our donors, GHCOP is just $50,000 short of our fundraising goal for our Annual Appeal which closes August 31. Your support has helped meet critical needs throughout Indian River County, from food and housing assistance to programs for children, seniors, and veterans.
As we prepare for summer emergency requests and the growing needs of the 2026–2027 season, we invite you to help us close the remaining gap. If you have not yet made an Annual Fund contribution — or would like to make an additional gift to help us cross the finish line — your support would be sincerely appreciated.
Thank you for your generosity, friendship, and commitment to our community. Together we are making a difference. |
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With the incredible generosity of our corporate sponsors, every dollar given by our donors goes directly where it’s needed most — to the agencies serving those who depend on our help. By covering essential expenses, corporate partners make our promise possible. Their support is more than financial—it’s a commitment to our community. |
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Please support our Corporate Sponsors. |
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A heartfelt THANK YOU to the over 80 extraordinary volunteers of Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program (GHCOP) for your dedication, compassion, and commitment. Whether your contribution came through committee work, event planning, site visits, financial analysis, fundraising, sponsorships, board service, grant review, communications, or donor solicitation — your combined efforts make GHCOP a success year after year. |
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Thank you for believing in GHCOP and helping make a meaningful impact in our community. Your efforts make a lasting impact on GHCOP and the community. |
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Transform Lives Strengthen Families Improve the Community |
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Channel the generosity of the Grand Harbor community to address unmet needs of individuals and groups in the areas of Food Insecurity, Mental Health and Well Being and Homelessness/Housing in Indian River County. |
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Grand Harbor Community Outreach (GHCOP) is built on a powerful belief: when a community leads with generosity and purpose, lives are changed. Since 2001, GHCOP—an all-volunteer 501(c)(3), has worked tirelessly to help Indian River County neighbors in need. Generous corporate sponsors underwrite modest operating costs, assuring 100% of every gift goes directly to partner agencies. GHCOP raises funds through a heartfelt annual appeal, three signature events that unite our community and corporate sponsorship. The dedication of donors, volunteers and partner agencies fuel our mission, enabling GHCOP to support more than 30 nonprofit partners each year. $740,000 was granted in 2025-26 to partner agencies. Over $7 million has been delivered since 2001 making lasting impact in the community.
What distinguishes GHCOP is a thoughtful and rigorous grant-making process. The work culminates with an Annual Awards Breakfast at Grand Harbor where grants are presented with joy, gratitude, and hope. This stewardship ensures that every donated dollar is invested wisely and meaningfully.
Together, the Grand Harbor community turns privilege into purpose—transforming generosity into lasting impact for underserved individuals and families across Indian River County. Learn more at www.GHCOP.org. |
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The rewards of giving back through volunteering your time and your resources are immeasurable. There are many ways you can offer your time. |
Join us at one of our fundraising events: Evening of Giving, Annual Gala, Golf Tournament and other events that allow us to improve more lives. |
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Philanthropy isn’t just a tax write-off; it makes a difference in the lives of many of our neighbors who struggle to meet their family's basic needs. |
Sponsorships allow us to fully cover our general expenses so 100% of donations can be given to the agencies we support. |
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OUR 2026-2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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| Ronald Barkley
Anne Diedrick Kimberly Keithahn |
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| | Joann Marr Tina Richter Kate Thomas |
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| | Carol Turner Maureen Walsh Mark Wurzer |
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| Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program
P.O. Box 644017 Vero Beach, FL 32964 772-778-9000 www.GHCOP.org
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Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program, INC. is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization, Federal Tax ID#51-0418002. A copy of the Official Registration and Financial Information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the State of Florida (800) 435-7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State of Florida. GHCOP Registration # CH15327. |
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