quantum foundation - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T06:55:13Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/quantum+foundationPhilanthropy Notes: Gauff teams with Microsoft to donate devices for Delray kidshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthropy-notes-gauff-teams-with-microsoft-to-donate-devices-f2021-08-03T17:12:18.000Z2021-08-03T17:12:18.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9352148488,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9352148488,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9352148488?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>An ACCF student practices a coding workshop before meeting Coco Gauff via a Zoom call. </em><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Amy Woods<br /></strong></p>
<p>As a professional tennis player and full-time remote student, Coco Gauff sees firsthand the ways technology benefits education.<br /> While completing classes despite maintaining a rigorous training and tournament schedule, the local celebrity was inspired to provide some of the same tools to Delray Beach students.<br /> “This community has given me a lot, so it’s definitely important to give back,” the 17-year-old Gauff said of her hometown.<br /> Teaming up with Microsoft, she helped refresh the main computer lab and build two additional labs for the Achievement Centers for Children and Families with the donation of new devices.<br /> “We are extremely thankful to have been chosen as the recipients for this collaboration,” said Stephanie Seibel, the nonprofit’s CEO. “We want to extend an enormous thank you to Coco and Microsoft for this generous contribution.”<br /> For more information, call 561-276-0520 or visit <a href="https://achievementcentersfl.org">https://achievementcentersfl.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Quantum awards $1.5 million to nonprofits</span></p>
<p>Through its Quantum in the Community initiative, the Quantum Foundation allocated nearly $1.5 million in grants for the first and second quarters of 2021, the largest of which went to FoundCare, one of the government’s federally qualified health centers.<br /> FoundCare will apply the $250,000 toward construction of a new in-house pharmacy at its West Palm Beach location.<br /> “We are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from our friends at Quantum Foundation,” CEO Yolette Bonnet said.<br /> The other grant recipients include The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative; Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County; Children’s Bereavement Center; Helping Our Wounded Foundation of South Florida; Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County; Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches; TeleHealth Access for Seniors; Education Foundation of Palm Beach County; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County; Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County; Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Palm Beach County Health Department; Promise Fund of Florida; T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, and Northend RISE.<br /> For more information, call 561-832-7497 or visit <a href="https://quantumfnd.org">https://quantumfnd.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Roots and Wings keeps soaring during summer</span></p>
<p>This year’s Honda Classic golf tournament donated $5,000 to Roots and Wings, a charity that works to improve the quality of education in South Florida, and its Project UpLift program.<br /> A check presentation took place in June featuring executives from the tournament, board members from Roots and Wings and Plumosa School of the Arts Principal Cathy Reynolds.<br /> Project UpLift helps second- and third-graders who have been identified by their teachers as needing extra help in reading.<br /> Roots and Wings’ education celebration also took place in June, recognizing recipients of the Above and Beyond Award.<br /> More than 100 winners and their guests joined Janet Meeks, the city of Delray Beach’s education coordinator, at the Arts Warehouse for the affair, which included a buffet, a raffle and plaques to the Above and Beyond champions.<br /> For more information, call 561-404-0455 or visit <a href="https://rootsandwingsinc.org">https://rootsandwingsinc.org</a>.</p>
<p><em>Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.</em></p></div>Philanthrophy Notes: Students get backpacks, supplies via Delray Housing Authorityhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthrophy-notes-students-get-backpacks-supplies-via-delray-ho2021-02-02T20:57:23.000Z2021-02-02T20:57:23.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8507578454,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8507578454,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8507578454?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Shirley Erazo, president/CEO of the housing authority, and Rose Clay, housing specialist, show donated backpacks with GoSection8.com representatives (l-r in back) Elizabeth Wrenn, Jennifer McMahon and Michael Lazdowsky. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Amy Woods</strong></p>
<p>An annual initiative called Book Bag Bash recently took place to benefit children from low- and moderate-income families living within the Delray Beach Housing Authority’s jurisdiction.</p>
<p>The initiative, in partnership with GoSection8.com President Richard Cupelli, provided more than 600 backpacks filled with school supplies, hand sanitizer, face masks and snacks to local students.</p>
<p>“By providing our children brand new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, we can ensure that our children will have some sense of normality during this pandemic,” said Shirley Erazo, president and CEO of the authority.</p>
<p>“Whether in person or virtually, they will have the supplies needed to start the new school year on the same level as their peers and excited to learn.”</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-272-6766 or visit <a href="http://www.dbha.org">www.dbha.org</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Quantum gives $2.7 million to provide food, health care</strong> </p>
<p>Hit with an especially large demand because of COVID-19, an organization whose mission is to fund initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County residents approved 17 grants totaling $2.7 million.</p>
<p>Quantum Foundation’s board of trustees OK’d the allocations, which include $1.25 million to Feeding South Florida.</p>
<p>“This grant means everything to our organization,” said Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “It is critical to have such an investment from an organization like Quantum Foundation. Both of our missions align as we look to break the cycle of hunger and poverty, and the first step is providing access to the programs that we can provide thanks to this grant.”</p>
<p>The pandemic has been catastrophic for families, Vélez said, noting that since March 2020, his organization has doubled its output of food — to 120 million pounds compared with 62 million pounds — in one year.</p>
<p>“A little boy came through our drive-thru distribution recently and asked if we knew of any jobs for his family so they will not turn off the lights,” Vélez said. “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for better long-term solutions for families.”</p>
<p>Other grants include $300,000 to Genesis Community Health, $250,000 to the Community Health Center of West Palm Beach and $200,000 to CROS Ministries.</p>
<p>“Your zip code is more of a marker to health than your genetic code,” foundation President Eric Kelly said. “Health equity is our way forward, and these vulnerable communities need their basic needs met now more than ever.”</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-832-7497 or visit <a href="http://www.quantumfnd.org">www.quantumfnd.org</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Adopt-A-Family earns award, $200,000 grant</strong> </p>
<p>Bank of America has named a local nonprofit as a 2020 Neighborhood Builders recipient for its work in preventing homelessness.</p>
<p>Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches — one of two charities selected in Palm Beach County among 142 across the country — also was awarded a $200,000 grant and one year of leadership training.</p>
<p>“It is a tremendous honor for Adopt-A-Family to be recognized as a 2020 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardee,” CEO Matthew Constantine said. “This award will allow us to continue our efforts in providing one of the most fundamental and basic needs — stable housing.”</p>
<p>Added Fabiola Brumley, Bank of America’s Palm Beach County market president, “Nonprofits are the backbone of our community, and now more than ever they need our support to ensure that those they serve have the tools and resources to meet their evolving needs.”</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-253-1361 or visit <a href="http://www.adoptafamilypbc.org">www.adoptafamilypbc.org</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Malvern Foundation awards grants to local nonprofits</strong></p>
<p>The charitable arm of Malvern Bank has awarded 16 grants, totaling $100,000, to charitable groups in its local markets. Among the recipients are two Palm Beach County-based organizations: Quantum House and Vita Nova.</p>
<p>“These organizations provide vital services each year to hundreds of people in Palm Beach County,” said Anthony Weagley, president of Malvern Federal Charitable Foundation.</p>
<p>“Our grants are intended to assist these organizations in fulfilling their missions of helping our neighbors.”</p>
<p>For information about Quantum House, call 561-494-0515 or visit <a href="https://quantumhouse.org">https://quantumhouse.org</a>. For information about Vita Nova, call 561-689-0035 or visit <a href="http://www.vitanovainc.org">www.vitanovainc.org</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Trio appointed to board of Mounts’ Friends group </strong></p>
<p>William Bittner, Mary-Therese Delate and Karen Marcus have joined the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden as board members supporting Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden.</p>
<p>Paton White, incoming president of the Friends, announced the new positions, noting that Bittner is an insurance broker, Delate is a 30-plus-year Gold Coast resident, and Marcus is a former county commissioner.</p>
<p>“All three of these extraordinary, talented, insightful community-service professionals will be invaluable assets for Mounts Botanical Garden as we continue to grow and attract new visitors,” White said.</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-233-1757 or visit <a href="http://www.mounts.org">www.mounts.org</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Three named to board governing Spady Museum</strong></p>
<p>Kim Ardila-Morgan, Elizabeth Burrows and Christopher Redding have joined the board of Expanding and Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, which governs operations at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum.</p>
<p>Ardila-Morgan is a retired director of the Center for Applied Ethics at Palm Beach State College. Burrows has spent most of her career working in Delray Beach’s public and nonprofit sectors. Redding owns and operates a small business called Let’s Talk Innovation, which offers resources and funding to small businesses.</p>
<p>“Each of our new members brings a wealth of experience from different sectors to our board,” President Bill Whigham said. “We have a cross-section of skill sets from education, government, nonprofit and small business represented by Kim, Elizabeth and Christopher, which I believe will benefit museum operations in meaningful ways.”</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-279-8883 or visit <a href="http://www.spadymuseum.com">www.spadymuseum.com</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Lighthouse for the Blind announces fresh start</strong></p>
<p>The nonprofit that has served blind and visually impaired people in South Florida since 1946 is separating from Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and transitioning to a new location.<br /> Plans include moving to offices adjacent to the JFK Medical Center North Campus in West Palm Beach.</p>
<p>“We are appreciative of the support and guidance GGI provided over the years, However, it’s time that the organization does as we encourage each of our clients to do, and that’s to develop our capabilities to the fullest and return to being a fully independent organization once again,” said Donté Mickens, board chairman of Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches.</p>
<p>Mary Allen, longtime director of vision services, will remain at the helm of the organization as interim executive director. </p>
<p>Meantime, it is unveiling a fresh corporate logo and tagline focused on its 75th anniversary. The marquee event of the celebration is the Eye Ball on April 15.</p>
<p>“These changes are an exciting new chapter in our 75-year legacy,” Mickens said. “These changes, however, will not deter from our mission, as Lighthouse will always remain focused on providing essential services for those with visual impairments.”</p>
<p>For more information, call 561-586-5600 or visit <a href="http://www.lhpb.org">www.lhpb.org</a>.</p></div>Philanthropy Notes: Quantum Foundation sends $750,000 in grants to nonprofitshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthropy-notes-quantum-foundation-sends-750-000-in-grants-to-2019-01-02T15:28:15.000Z2019-01-02T15:28:15.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1">Quantum Foundation has distributed $750,000 to 94 grassroots nonprofits in Palm Beach County that provide for society’s most basic needs.</p>
<p class="p1">Grants were announced during a breakfast celebrating the eighth-annual Quantum in the Community initiative. The grantees represent all corners of the county, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.</p>
<p class="p1">“Quantum Foundation is a health foundation,” said Donna Mulholland, board chairwoman. “We always keep our focus on health because that’s what we were founded to do. But this annual campaign acknowledges that if we don’t meet people’s basic needs, it’s not possible for them to stay healthy.”</p>
<p class="p1">President Eric Kelly said that “as we celebrate 20 years of impact in Palm Beach County, we want to take an upstream look at health. We know that our medical community can’t heal the body without having healthy societal and external factors in place. These grants support organizations helping the whole body and the whole community.”</p>
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<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Lang Realty donates </b></span><span class="s1"><b>to fight breast cancer</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">Lang Realty turned “pink” in support of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program by donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each home closed in October to the charity.</p>
<p class="p1">The donation totaled $11,793.</p>
<p class="p1">“This was a company-wide effort that included donations from each closing contributed by our agents,” said Scott Agran, Lang Realty’s president. “Many of our own agents and staff have personally battled this disease or have gone through this with loved ones. We are delighted to support this worthy cause.”</p>
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<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Impact 100 receives </b></span><span class="s1"><b>tax-exempt status</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">Impact 100 Palm Beach County’s 501(c)(3) status is official. The women’s philanthropy organization has received a determination letter from the IRS — a major milestone in its seven-year history.</p>
<p class="p1">All members who paid in 2018 soon will receive tax-donation letters.</p>
<p class="p1">“We’re pleased to tell you we determined you’re exempt from federal-income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3),” the letter reads. “Donors can deduct contributions they make to you under IRC Section 170. You’re also qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfer or gifts under Section 2055, 2106 or 2522.”</p>
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<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Grant enables Sandoway </b></span><span class="s1"><b>to expand program</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">Sandoway Discovery Center in Delray Beach has received a $7,500 grant from parcel-delivery company DHL. The funds will support the junior naturalist program.</p>
<p class="p1">The program addresses the need for science-, technology-, engineering- and math-based education, taught through real-world connections that enhance classroom learning. It targets Palm Beach County Title 1 schools and aftercare facilities focusing on at-risk children.</p>
<p class="p1">“We are very excited to be able to teach Title 1 students about climate change, biodiversity and conservation through our junior naturalist program,” said Danica Sanborn, the center’s executive director. “Through the grant from DHL we will be able to reach hundreds of students that otherwise could not afford to visit the center to receive a much-needed environmental education, and we are increasing the chances for a healthier environment for generations to come.”</p>
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<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Restaurant competition </b></span><span class="s1"><b>raises $3,000 for charities</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">In November, before everyone was too stuffed from holiday meals to eat another bite, Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas in Delray Beach welcomed 300 hungry fans and friends to its seventh-annual Best Bite restaurant competition.</p>
<p class="p1">Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub won the popular vote for the second year in a row, and previous champion Caffé Luna Rosa was the top choice in the VIP judges’ annual taste-off competition.</p>
<p class="p1">The event raised $1,500 each for HOW Foundation of South Florida and Project Holiday.</p>
<p class="p1">Other competing restaurants were Avant, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Pizza Rustica and Salt 7.</p>
<p class="p1">The band 33 Years and the Atlantic High School Drum Line provided entertainment.</p>
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<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Parkinson’s Foundation </b></span><span class="s1"><b>to host golf tournament</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">Parkinson’s Foundation South Palm Beach County Chapter will host its annual Leo Geller golf tournament Feb. 4 at Boca Rio Golf Club.</p>
<p class="p1">Players will begin the day at 11 a.m. with lunch before hitting the links for a 1 p.m. shotgun start. At the end of play, there will be a raffle, awards, a cocktail reception and dinner.</p>
<p class="p1">Geller is this year’s honorary chairman, and the co-chairs are Roy Cohen and Ciaran Swords.</p>
<p class="p1">The cost for a foursome is $1,250; cost for an individual player is $325.</p>
<p class="p1">The event is sponsored by Florida Peninsula Insurance Co. and will benefit Parkinson’s Foundation programs that help those in the local community living with Parkinson’s disease.</p>
<p class="p1">For information, call 962-1702.</p>
<p class="p4"><i>Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.</i></p></div>