Spirit-of-humanity

The DeBartolo Family Foundation’s Spirit of Humanity Award honors local nonprofit organizations that impact the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way. Recipients of this award create unity, demonstrate hard work, and extend their outreach by helping people in need to overcome obstacles that are beyond their control. Since 2002, 60+ recipients have been recognized with the $25,000 Spirit of Humanity Award, awarded three times annually.

If you believe your organization, or an organization that you support, would be a candidate for this award, please download our nomination form by clicking the Apply Here button below. Please e-mail the completed form, along with the organization’s most recent 990 to Judy Bragdon, at jbragdon@debartoloholdings.com.

APPLY HERE

AWARD SPOTLIGHT

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Friends-Tampa-Bay

The DeBartolo Family Foundation is proud to present Friends of the Children of Tampa Bay with a $25,000 Spirit of Humanity Award

The DeBartolo Family Foundation is proud to present Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay with the Spirit of Humanity award. The award honors local nonprofit organizations that impact the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way.

Founded in 2014, Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay, part of a national organization, has been a steadfast force in our community. They pair children facing challenges in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties with dedicated mentors called a Friend, who guide them from kindergarten through high school graduation. As a stand-alone chapter since 2018, they have grown to serve more youth in our area.

“We are honored to support Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay in their unwavering commitment to empowering the youth in our community. The dedication shown by their team aligns with our values at the DeBartolo Family Foundation, where we believe in fostering resilience and hope,” said Lisa DeBartolo, CEO of the DeBartolo Family Foundation. “Having a consistent friend in their life is pivotal for the growth and well-being of our youth. It forms a foundation of trust, support, and guidance that transcends challenges.”

“The DeBartolo Family Foundation has provided a generous award to Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay which will go to the heart of our mission: Employing trained, trauma-informed professional mentors to build relationships with kids facing personal and systemic obstacles and maintaining those relationships for 12 ½ years,” said Rick McClintock, Executive Director of Friends of the Children – Tampa Bay. “Friends are a reliable, resilient, long-term adult presence in a child’s life that can be the key to these youth avoiding the criminal justice system, completing high school, enrolling in college or obtaining meaningful employment. Thank you to The DeBartolo Family Foundation for recognizing the value this work represents to our community and to deserving children.”

Recipients of the Spirit of Humanity award create unity, demonstrate hard work, and extend their outreach by helping people in need overcome obstacles that are beyond their control. Since 2002, 60 recipients have been recognized with the $25,000 Spirit of Humanity Award, awarded three times annually.

For more information about Friends of the Children Tampa Bay, visit friendstampabay.org.

With your help, our 2019 GRAD senior cohort all graduated from high school on time, all received acceptance to a post-secondary educational goal (vocational training, military or college), all received scholarships and financial aid, all opened a bank account and secured saved funds, and demonstrated improved mental, emotional and physical health upon completing the program. …Because of GRAD, each of these students has now acquired the skills to remain above the poverty line and thrive. Additionally, they have the capability to pass these skills down to their children, which ceases the cycle of homelessness and poverty in their generation. By choosing SRN or the Spirit of Humanity Award, you have not only helped change the lives of these students, but bettered our community as a whole. Thank you for helping end youth homelessness, one child at a time!

- Vicki Sokolik, Founder, Starting Right Now, Spirit of Humanity Award, 2019

To be recognized with this prestigious award from the DeBartolo family is such an amazing honor and it helps shine a light on our continuing commitment to support our deployed servicemen and women in our community. These families have sacrificed so such for our country and in most cases have deployed multiple times in harms way. It is so rewarding to welcome these families home and see them re-bond with their loved ones at our events.

- Tom Burkett, Troop Rewards Founder, Spirit of Humanity Award, 2016