Sunshine Health Awards Over $100,000 in Grants to Strengthen Florida Communities

Date: 09/24/25

Fort Lauderdale

Sunshine Health, a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), has awarded $106,000 in “Get to Know Us” grants to 50 nonprofit organizations across Florida that deliver vital programs addressing health-related social needs.

Each organization received a $2,000 grant to support initiatives that address needs like food insecurity, homelessness and workforce development. Sunshine Health’s Marketplace product, Ambetter Health, awarded $2,000 each to one organization in Orange, Broward and Hillsborough counties to further support community efforts.

“Sunshine Health’s ‘Get to Know Us’ grants are part of our broader Community Connections program, which supports nonprofits that are working to create healthier, more resilient communities across Florida,” said Charlene Zein, CEO of Sunshine Health. “These organizations are making a meaningful difference in their communities, and we are proud to provide funding that allows them to grow their impact and enhance the programs they deliver."

The grants were established to foster new partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to building healthy communities. The awardees provide a wide range of social services from human trafficking prevention to nutrition support for postpartum mothers.

With 14% of Floridians experiencing food insecurity, programs like Food4Kids play a vital role in supporting vulnerable children and their families.

“With this support, Food4Kids will be able to feed over 1,400 chronically hungry children in North Central Florida every weekend. We are deeply grateful and looking forward to creating a lasting partnership to benefit children in Alachua, Levy, Dixie and Bradford counties,” said Margot DeConna, Executive Director.

To address the growing challenge of homelessness in Florida, Fresh Start for Florida empowers families to achieve long-term self-sufficiency through education and support.

“This support represents more than funding. It represents hope and the chance for a brighter future. Sunshine Health is helping us transform lives and move families from crisis to stability,” said Brittany Curry, Life Skills Program Manager, Fresh Start for Children and Families, serving Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties.

As the need for maternal mental health support continues to grow, organizations like Maternal Matters Favored is working to strengthen communities and improve outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

“With Sunshine Health’s partnership, we are turning awareness into action and building stronger, healthier families across Florida,” said Tamara Mackroy, President, Maternal Matters Favored, serving Putnam, Flagler, Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties.   

Sunshine Health is committed to supporting local organizations that improve lives across Florida through impactful community programs. Since 2023, Sunshine Health has awarded more than $5 million to support community-based organizations across Florida.

Get to Know Us Grant Winners

Community Partner	Region/Counties Served	Grant Description
Taylor County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management (TCSO)	A / Taylor	Maintain and update the Special Needs Registry, a critical resource that identifies individuals who require extra assistance before, during, and after a disaster.
Overflow Health Alliance	A/ Escambia, Santa Rosa, Duval	Assist residents who cannot afford reduced program rates, support the purchase of fresh and shelf-stable food for residents, and cover program costs for several families and individuals.
Fresh Start for Children & Families	A/ Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa	Provide educational support, enrichment activities, and mentoring encourage growth and confidence.
Kearney Center	A/ Gadsen, Jefferson, Madison, Liberty, Wakulla, Taylor, Franklin	Address the social issues of homelessness, food insecurities, temporary and/or permanent housing, job placement, and other recovery support services.
Hope Above Fear	A/ Escambia  and Santa Rosa	Support 8-week after school program that provides an effective alternative to expulsion for first-time youth drug offenders.
Maternal Matters Favored	B/ Putnam, Flagler, Seminole, Volusia, and Orange	MMF will serve 40–50 families. Outcomes will be measured through intake logs, the number of screenings and stipends provided, referrals made and participant surveys documenting increased awareness of maternal mental health and accessing resources.
Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida	B/ Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Levy	Provide home bags containing seven child-friendly meals and snacks for children ranging from pre-kindergarten to high school who have been identified as food insecure by a staff member at their school.
First Coast Workforce Development, dba CareerSource of Northeast FL	B/ Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St Johns County	Provide supportive services and employment incentives to SNAP E&T participants as they work toward achieving self-sufficiency.
Good Samaritan Clinic	B/ Volusia	Assist clients with their medical needs.
Healthy Start Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties	B/ Flagler and Volusia Counties	Expand its C.A.R.E. & Doula Services Program, which provides at-risk mothers with comprehensive support across pregnancy and early parenting.
Rethreaded	B/ Duval	Support group therapy services and cover the services of the Mental Health Counselor facilitator, and any supplies needed.
Mid Florida Homeless Coalition	B/ Citrus, Lake, Sumter, Hernando	Help local community members address barriers to stable housing and cover essential daily needs (transportation, application fees, etc.).
Saving Mercy Corporation	B/ Marion	Help launch Mercy Village and directly support efforts to address homelessness: setting up safe housing, removing barriers to work and healthcare, and providing stability from day one through orientation and basic supplies.
Children's Table	B/ Levy, Alachua, Taylor, Dixie, Hernando, Citrus, Suwannee, Gilchrist	Purchase peanut butter for distribution to families in need. Peanut butter is ashelf-stable, protein-rich item that provides essential nutrition. This grant will help reach more households and strengthen efforts to fight hunger in the community.
You Thrive Florida	B / Hernando, Sumter, Volusia	Hygiene Wellness Stations for Families Experiencing Homelessness will launch to provide essential hygiene items (such as soap, deodorant, wipes, and toothbrushes) for families to use before entering classroom. programs.
Habitat for Humanity of  Pinellas County, dba Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside	C/ Pinellas, West Pasco, Hernando	The Habitat Homeownership Program enables buyers to purchase homes with a 0% interest mortgage, promoting long-term financial stability.
Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas County	C/ Pinellas	Provide food assistance for families served through the Healthy Start Program and the Parents as Teachers Plus Program.
Stop the Movement	C/ Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco	Provide medical kits and resource cards for individuals experiencing homelessness and those at risk of human trafficking.
Gulfside Hospice	C/ Pasco, Hillsborough	Provide access to high-quality healthcare by covering hospice care costs, medications, equipment, and family support services.
The Kind Mouse Productions	C/ Pinellas, Manatee	Provide food for chronically hungry children and their financially stressed families.
Total Life Community Health	D/ Polk	Expand community-based health education and chronic disease prevention efforts with a focus on hypertension.
The Skills Center	D/ Hillsborough	Provide Teen CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training and certification to middle and high school youth in East Tampa.
Madi's Movement	D/ Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco	Support for young adults in and transitioning out of foster care through five core pathways: Education, Employment, Independent Living, Driving, and Wellness.
Manatee Children's Services	D/ Manatee	Provide meals and nutritious snacks for children served through the agency’s residential program and tools for staff to teach nutrition, menu planning, and cooking during independent living sessions.
New Life Village	D/ Hillsborough	Provide materials and supplies for the Trauma-Informed Wellness, Resilience, and Character Development Program.
One Heart for Women and Children	E/ Orange, Osceola, Seminole	Distribute fresh and nutritious food, and offer life skills training, wellness and nutritional classes, and advocacy to at-risk communities as they navigate challenges in the Central Florida region.
Samaritan Resource Center	E/ Orange	Provide short-term hotel housing for individuals and families while they work with case managers to secure permanent housing.
Rise Community Solutions	E/ Orange, Osceola, Seminole	Pathways to Home stabilization program will help families secure safe, stable housing.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida	E/ Orange, Brevard, Volusia, Marion, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Sumter	Agape Mission Markets will provide food resources for people struggling with hunger and poverty.
Engaging Kare	E/ Orange	What’s the Tea with HIV provides on-site testing, direct connect to resources, PrEP navigation and Peer to Peer support and follow-up care.
Easterseals Southwest Florida	F/ Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands	Provide wraparound support for people living with disabilities, including access to therapy.
Community Cooperative	F/ Lee, Collier, Charlotte	Support the Community Choice Market and Mobile Food Pantry programs, offering on-demand shopping for food insecure families, and food delivery directly to families living in or near food deserts.
Hope Clubhouse of Southwest FL	F/ Hendry, Charlotte, Collier, Glades	Expand the Hope Clubhouse's Urban Garden, a therapeutic space where adults living with mental illness plant, harvest, and maintain over 60 varieties of fruits and vegetables.
From the Ground Up Ministries	F/ All Florida counties except Lee County	Support the Pathway to Exercise Program, a trauma-informed initiative for young girls rescued from human trafficking.
Shelter for Abused Women & Children	F/ Collier	Deliver essential services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking and help cover critical expenses such as insurance, food, utilities and direct services, ensuring ongoing support for survivors.
Moms in the Muck	G/ Palm Beach, Hendry	Provide maternal clothing, baby clothing, diapers, hygiene products and feeding supplies.
Tree of Life Foundation International	G/ Palm Beach	Serve families in Palm Beach County who are experiencing homelessness and or reliable transportation.
Sweet Dream Makers	G/ Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade	Provide new beds, bedding and essential furniture for children and their families in need.
Fern House	G/ Palm Beach	Assist indigent male chronic alcoholics and drug addicts achieve sustained sobriety to return to the mainstream of society as productive, responsible citizens.
Sereni Postnatal Retreat	G/ Palm Beach	Provide safe, nurturing environment for postpartum women to recover and receive evidence-based care and support.
McKenzie Project	H/ Broward	Implement a gardening and cooking program designed to promote healthy eating habits among third grade students.
Feeding South Florida	H/ Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade.,  Monroe	Provide emergency food assistance for individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurities.
Our Fathers Soup Kitchen	H/ Broward, Palm Beach	Serve the homeless by providing food, hygiene, clothing and other essential needs.
FLITE Center (Florida Independence Training & Education Center)	H/ Broward, Palm Beach	Support the wellness center which offers trauma informed healthcare, mental health assessments, HIV & STD testing, telehealth, medication management.
Showing Love	H/ Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach	Provide haircuts, medical exams, laundry and other vital services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Eatwell Exchange	I/ Broward, Miami-Dade,  Palm Beach	Support the “Garden to Table” culinary program, a 6-week cooking class for children, families and seniors
Universal Heritage Institute Community Care	I/ Miami-Dade, Broward	Provide free healthcare services.
Chapman Partnership	I/ Miami-Dade	Assist with housing and employment placement for homeless individuals to upskill/or reskill to prepare them for a path to independence.
NAMI Miami-Dade	I/ Miami-Dade, Monroe	Provide peer support groups that help loved ones understand mental health conditions.
Limitless Kidz / We Rock the Spectrum N Miami	I/ Broward	Support purchasing sensory equipment to enhance the indoor sensory gym and calming room.
Solita’s House	D/ Hillsborough	Offer education and counseling to help families attain or retain housing, improve financial stability, and expand access to affordable homeownership for low- to moderate-income households.
Hearts of Serenity	E/ Orlando	Address food insecurity, homelessness and workforce barrier through weekly food boxes and hot meals transitional housing and case management, job readiness workshops.
Love for All	H/ Broward	Launch the Veterans Fitness & Connection Program, a community-based initiative toimprove the physical and social well-being of veterans in Broward County.