IMPACT
REPORT
2019-2020
figgersfoundation.org
Introduction
Achieving Impact: Message from the Chairman of the Board
What's to Come: Executive Director's Remarks
2021 Goals
2019 - 2020 Spotlights:
Health Equity in a Pandemic
Collaboration
Systems Transformation
Influence & Advocacy
Continuous Learning
Community Partners & Grant Recipients
Grants & In-Kind Donations
Volunteers & Supporters
Everyday People
Bike Dreams Initiative for Foster Youth
Our Mission, Vision & Commitment
Board of Trustees
WHAT'S INSIDE
CONNECTEDNESS
One thing leads to another
often in unexpected ways
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Community
INTRODUCTION
As a foundation created to serve its community,
we are a transformative partner, aligning
systems, sectors and structures. We bring
people, resources and organizations together to
tackle important challenges in Florida and
across the United States.
We have set out to answer some key questions
about how to make our work more impactful.
Namely, we wanted to challenge ourselves to
uncover what factors are present in grantmaking
strategies that lead to the most transformative,
durable change.
Our hope is that by codifying what we’ve learned
over the past two years as a new foundation, the
work we do moving forward will inspire other
philanthropists to achieve their goals and join
us. The Figgers Foundation has made several
meaningful grants, those investments coalesced
around a clearly defined set of goals and social
problems worth solving.
We’ve honed in on five factors that we believe
led to the biggest impact: equity, collaboration,
systems transformation, influence & advocacy
and continuous learning. What follows are our
reflections on those factors and highlights from
our FY 2019-2020 work that best exemplify
them. We created this report to share our
successes and to build trust with funders,
supporters and beneficiaries.
We have embraced a vision for a more just and
inclusive society and a mission to achieve it.
We’ve begun the process of refining our core
strategies as we’ve learned more deeply from
research, community leaders and our grantees
and partners.
These are complex times. Inequities are clear, the
status quo is being challenged, and authenticity,
candor, and action are celebrated. It’s also a time
when the gap between the haves and have-nots
may feel paralyzing, due to the level of
investment needed to turn the tides.
There is much more work to be done. We need
bold actions, diverse voices and inclusive
solutions. We need to think differently. We need
to collaborate more. As we charge forward
through FY 2021, the Figgers Foundation will
continue to pursue and promote opportunities
wherever they arise and do our part to be
problem solvers and solution leaders.
40%
of schools lack broadband
as do 60% of healthcare
facilities outside
metropolitan areas
ACHIEVING IMPACT
“What is a life lived, if you’ve never helped
someone who couldn’t help himself?…Unfulfilled.”
A Message from the Chairman of the Board
We can only look back from where we stand:
in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic
which in some way is affecting every single
person. As we compile this report over 400,000
Americans have lost their lives. We must heal as
a nation and continue to address long-standing
disparities in income, educational opportunities
and outcomes, digital access and access to
healthcare. America has held out the promise
that everyone has the same opportunities for
success but that promise has been unfulfilled for
too many and the economic, structural and legal
barriers make equity and inclusion hard to attain.
We need to empower our community leaders to
contribute more to their local economies. We
need to inspire the next generation of leaders
and entrepreneurs. We need to build that
together. We can meet the future on our own
terms by investing in our children and ensure
that what and how students are learning is
relevant and connected to the world of today.
Now more than ever, we must all strive to close
the digital divide, and most importantly we need
to build purposeful partnerships in communities,
organizations schools and neighborhoods. It is
our steadfast belief that with your generous
support, we can fulfill our shared goals of a
better today and a brighter future.
Freddie Lee Figgers
As the Foundation's first Executive Director, I’m
both excited for what’s on the horizon and proud
of everything we’ve done to build a solid
foundation for the future. In 2021, we’ll embark
on a new strategy and development process to
identify how we can further address the systemic
inequities people face. We will continue to
sharpen our focus and bring an equity lens to all
of our existing work.
We’ll expand our investments in the tools and
resources that generate more equitable
outcomes in society. We’ll also explore new
programmatic and grant opportunities as the
Foundation’s budget continues to grow. The
Foundation has been around for a few years and
has made several meaningful grants. Those
investments now coalesce around a clearly
defined set of goals and social problems to
solve. Nationally and in communities across our
country, 2020 was marked by deepening
divisions and a retreat from the core values that
most of us hold dear. Yet, I have been continually
inspired by our partners and our leader, Freddie
Figgers, to respond to those challenges with firm
resolve to improve the lives of all people.
I knew I had an incredible opportunity, as well as
an important responsibility and when asked
about my new position, I describe the
Foundation’s evolution as a journey that I am
proud to help chart. It’s been an immense honor
to work closely with people who so authentically
embrace the famous adage that “to whom much
is given, much is required.”
WHAT'S TO COME
Executive Director’s Remarks
ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ESSENTIAL TO EDUCATIONAL
SUCCESS AS WELL AS WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT. HOWEVER, GEOGRAPHICAL, INCOME-BASED, AND
RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN TECHNOLOGY ACCESS PERSIST.
BRIDGING THE NEW
DIGITAL DIVIDE
of students’ access at
home to one device,
including only a smartphone,
by “served/underserved” status
%
Access to 1 device Access to only a smartphone
6%
2%
11%
19%
Served Underserved
We believe that equity must be at the center of
any impactful grantmaking strategy because
we’ve seen that when systems can capably
respond to those most affected by a problem,
they are well-equipped to better serve
everyone’s needs. By helping those who are
most affected by a problem, or those least
well-served by a system, we can achieve impact
faster and begin to build the more equitable, just
world we want to see.
Effective collaboration and partnership are
crucial components of lasting, transformative
change. We will always strive to bring together
impacted communities, government, businesses,
nonprofits and other philanthropic organizations
to solve problems. We join tables where civic
conversations are taking place, and if none exist,
we work with our partners and communities to
build new tables. As grantmakers, we’re only
successful when we listen to people in the
community, work to bring together as many
stakeholders as possible and help everyone align
around a shared set of goals.
We believe in long-term, systemic changes over
quick fixes and silver bullets. The most critical
challenges we face in society, from inequitable
education outcomes to chronic homelessness,
are the products of complex systems. We believe
the best way to generate long-lasting change is
to transform those systems so that they create
better outcomes for everyone, rather than
reproduce historic inequities.
Our society faces significant challenges today,
both new and enduring. Impactful grantmaking
requires us to always be learning and adapting
our approach to these challenges. Changing
dynamics surrounding our work requires
strategies to best meet new challenges.
Philanthropy must continuously integrate new
research and insights from communities to
ensure the work we do together reflects current
realities in our society. We believe in supporting
our grantees to learn and grow. We invest in our
grantees and partners so that they can improve
their own capacity to lead and adapt as new
challenges emerge in their work
EQUITY
Systemic change requires much more than
grants —we must build coalitions, use our voice
to advocate for change and lift the voices of
others. For us, that starts with creating a bridge
to stakeholders in our communities to listen,
learn and work together across our differences.
INFLUENCE & ADVOCACY
COLLABORATION
SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION
CONTINOUS LEARNING
2020 - 2021 GOALS
COVID-19 SUPPLIES
FOR OUR FRONTLINE
HEROES
ALL ACROSS AMERICA
The Foundation’s investment in equity means we must respond to evolving societal
challenges. Our goal was to support organizations, healthcare facilities and initiatives
focused on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and support of underserved populations.
This immediate need aligned with the mission of the Figgers Foundation to the broader
equity issues in the communities we serve.
SPOTLIGHT:
Equity
Health Equity in a Pandemic
Project Detail Outcome
Recognizing the limitations of federal
support available to address PPE needs
in the beginning of the pandemic, the
Foundation identified & distributed
masks, gloves and gowns to hotspots
and underserved/rural hospitals
throughout the U.S.
Coronavirus patients were quarantined
and not allowed to have visitors while in
hospitals/ senior facilities. The
Foundation along with Figg Health and
the Doctor Now Telehealth platform was
adjusted to allow users to connect with
family and friends through video calls,
with a simplified interface for the less
technologically savvy, all for free.
2.6 million Personal Protective
Equipment distributed to our most
vulnerable hospitals
and communities.
Donated in-kind access toTelepersonal
interface across 250 facilities.
Covid 19 Response
Telehealth Platform
for COVID-19
“WHEN PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES ARE IN NEED OF LOVE AND A HELPING HAND,
WE WILLINGLY RISE TO THE OCCASION.” WE WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE WHO MAY
HAVE LOST HOPE THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT AND DESERVE A CHANCE TO LIVE A DIGNIFIED
LIFE. WITH CARE AND UNDERSTANDING, WE DO OUR PART DURING THE THANKSGIVING
HOLIDAY TO MAYBE HELP SOMEONE FORGET FOR JUST A MOMENT LIFE’S TRIALS AND
TRIBULATIONS. “
RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS
FIGGERS FOUNDATION FAITH INITIATIVE
We must look to non-profit organizations for their expertise and join together and make
even bigger strides in bettering the community and improving the world. Our goal was to
initiate support to organizations that address homelessness in a concerted effort to
further partnerships that address the changing workforce needs, and food scarcity.
SPOTLIGHT:
COLLABORATION
“More than ever before in human history,
we share a common destiny.
We can master it only if we face it
together...” – Kofi Annan
Project Detail Outcome
Provided food, PPE and hygiene items
to local shelters and temporary housing
facilities.
Provided Thanksgiving turkeys to
underserved communities in Gadsden,
Leon, Miami-Dade Counties,
City of Jacksonville and Bradenton, Fl.
1,200 individuals received food
& assistance.
5,300 individuals received food &
assistance.
Homelessness:
Broward Partnership and
Camillus House
Food Scarcity: Faith
and the Figgers Initiative
Bicycles will be donated to foster and
adopted youth residing throughout
the U.S.
200 bikes delivered FY 2020,
300 bikes delivered FY 2021.
Foster Care Youth:
Bike Dreams Community
Partner: Together We Rise
Philanthropists can play a unique role in helping to transform systems. Government
often can’t act quickly to generate innovative solutions, and the private sector lacks an
incentive to engage until there is a clear path to profit. As grantmakers, we can provide
the funding to fill missing gaps in data and pilot new approaches,
making the path toward collaboration with government, the private sector and
community clearer and less risky for all.
SPOTLIGHT:
SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION
Project Detail Outcome
Donated Figgers F3 phones to send to
Tanzania to expose students to
STEM- Based Applications.
The Apalachee Ridge Tech Center is a
learning environment where children
can discover the power of science,
technology, engineering, art, and math,
learn new skills and get better jobs.
The technology provided by the Figgers
Foundation gave our partner the ability
to launch its first After School English
+ STEM Program
Donation of new computers, access to
internet, technology resources and
training gives children and young
adults a path forward.
Golden Aya Students
(Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics)
Apalachee Ridge
Technology Center,
Tallahassee, Fl.
The Internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is dangerously destabilizing to have half of
our children on the cutting edge of technology while the other half struggles on the bare edge
of survival. We are committed to helping end the digital divide.
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
INEQUALITY IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Collaboration with philanthropists, policy makers
and the business community
We continue to use our voices and resources to focus philanthropists, policymakers and
business leaders on equity and justice for the most marginalized in our society. From
spotlighting the challenges that young people face, to calling on the education system to
advance racial equity, to urging the private sector to recognize
its role in promoting social justice and bringing that same message to Washington D.C.,
we are working to build bridges and help as many people as we can understand that we
all have a role in working toward a more just and equitable world.
SPOTLIGHT:
INFLUENCE & ADVOCACY
Project Detail Outcome
Support the creation of a robust
entrepreneurial ecosystem through CTE
(Career & Technical Education)
*Support Tallahassee Community College’s application for funding under the Advancing Career and
Technical Education (CTE) through Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) Grant to develop and
administer services to high school students in Gadsden County, through a partnership with the
Gadsden County School Board.
Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that CTE students in Gadsden County, the only county in Florida with
a majority minority population, are introduced to the socio-emotional skills and overall awareness of how to
become a successful entrepreneur with the capacity for successful business management and ownership.
Potential increase in the number of
opportunities available to
underrepresented populations.
Strengthening Career
and Technical Education
for the 21st Century Act *
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing
that ever has." -Margaret Mead
15 OUTSTANDING RECIPIENTS
SCHOLARSHIPS
HIDDEN FIGGERS
We focused on the power of young people and we believe in the boundless potential of
young people to change the world. By acknowledging the humanity in every young
person and ensuring systems work for those
who have been most marginalized, all young people will be able reach their full potential.
SPOTLIGHT:
CONTINOUS LEARNING
Project Detail Outcome
Award scholarships to outstanding H.S.
students to help them achieve their
dreams of going to college
Support programs that reach youth
through self- discovery enriched
programs & curriculums that offer
mentorship,
guidance and resources.
15 -$1,000 grants awarded to students
with high academic achievement and
community involvement.
$5,000 grant awarded. Children
enrolled in before and after-school
academic programs
Hidden Figgers
Scholarships
Brooke Jenkins
Dream 360
Dream Center
"Impact a child today and that child will
impact a better tomorrow..."
- Freddie Figgers
COMMUNITY PARTNERS &
GRANT RECIPIENTS
GRANTS AND IN-KIND DONATIONS
Our grantees and partners pushed the boundaries of their fields and left us feeling
more inspired than ever. We continued to pursue our core strategies in education,
youth, expanded learning opportunities and impact-driven philanthropy, all while
preparing for some big shifts internally and exploring potential new areas of focus
for the year ahead.
2019 - 2020
MORE THAN $116,620 IN GRANTS
MORE THAN $1,690,248.00 IN-KIND
In-kind gifts include: computers, software,
televisions, F-Buds, F-speakers, F3 phones and
phone service.
$116,620 $1,690,248
VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORTERS
We witness every day the power of partnerships and support of our mission from the countless
volunteers that have donated their valuable time and considerable capabilities to the Figgers
Foundation. We are so fortunate to have a team of community leaders all over the U.S.
embrace our mission and make it their own.
Faith and the Figgers Thanksgiving Initiative
COVID-19 We thank all the leaders and volunteers across the U.S.
Reverend Gregorgy James
Corporate Partner
We are dedicated to extending a helping hand
anywhere to anyone in need throughout the
state of Florida. The Foundation provides
financial grants to reduce the hardships of
everyday people and their immediate families.
Foundation assistance for individuals is
intended for those qualified recipients who
have experienced true emergencies, disasters,
medical crises, or other personal hardships
and tragedies which require a measure of
temporary financial relief.
The Foundation’s Everyday People hardship
grants are not intended to provide long-term,
continuous relief. Based upon the available
information provided, the Foundation Board of
Trustees or their designee(s) will determine
the grant amount and will make every effort
within its resources to assist those who are in
dire need, however, unfortunately we cannot
help all who request assistance. Every case
depends on the facts and circumstances
peculiar to that case, and is defined
by the totality of the circumstances.
HELPING HANDS
23
EVERYDAY
PEOPLE
ANYWHERE ANYONE IN NEED
A FIGGERS FOUNDATION COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CAMPAIGN FOR FLORIDA
FOSTER CARE IN THE U.S.
2-3 PLACEMENTS
2-3 Placements - 37% of children in foster care find themselves
in 2-3 different foster home placements
438K
KIDS
9
Median Age
46%
Non-Relative
Hundreds of thousands of children
currently in the U.S. foster care system.
Median age of children in the
foster care system.
Percent of children reside in a foster care
home rather than a relative or grandparent.
BIKE DREAMS INITIATIVE
FOR FOSTER CARE YOUTH
BIKE DREAMS INITIATIVE
FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Our goal is to provide 500 bicycles to youth in
foster care across the United States starting
Christmas FY 2020 - FY 2021. Through our
partnerships, we will be able to ensure that
children experience the childhood memories
of learning to ride their first bike, regardless
of their financial background and lack of
family support.
We believe older youth receiving bicycles will
provide them with a safe and reliable form of
transportation to school or work, allowing
them to pursue their educational goals while
earning a steady income.
Every dollar given goes towards fulfilling the
wishes of a foster youth. We know that one
positive action creates many more and we
hope that you will become partners with us in
such a worthy cause.
We have the unique ability to change a foster child’s
trajectory in life with simple acts of kindness and support
Community Partner
OUR MISSION
To provide essential resources that will help to propel those in need
toward a better tomorrow.
OUR VISION
To make available any and all resources that will ensure success in the
areas of education, self-sufficiency and wellness.
OUR COMMITMENT
Our partnership with different organizations across the United States and the world, is to proffer solution to
pivotal human challenges. Our programs and support focus on improving the quality of education in our
schools as well as provide adequate support for weak and susceptible families and children in the United
States. We dedicate resources to focus on global development by providing poorest communities around
the globe accessibility to effective technology and health products and services.
We support programs and services that focus on lessening inequities through the introduction of new
approaches and utilizing modern instruments to tackle our most pressing challenges. To achieve these
programs and services, we commit ourselves to collaborate with big organizations, leverage our innovative
ideas, and take the promising risk to get outstanding results.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Freddie L. Figgers
Chairman of the Board
Natlie G. Figgers, Esq.
Treasurer
Carolyn I. Newman
Executive Director
Joycelyn Brown, Esq.
Secretary
Walter "Mickey" Presha Sr.
Member
figgersfoundation.org
RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS
We are guided by the belief that we rise by lifting others. Our grants work to help all people
lead healthy, productive lives. The Figgers Foundation seeks to ensure that all
people—especially those with the fewest resources— have access to the opportunities they
need to succeed in health, education and life.
HOW WE MEASURE IMPACT
The Figgers Foundation measures impact through a combination of written testimonials,
partner surveys that gauge the satisfaction of our corporate partners and data reports which
measure program benchmarks such as the number of children or adults served, agencies we
engage with and the volume of resources delivered.
3810 Inverrary Boulevard, Suite 401
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33319
FiggersFoundation.org
1-800-391-2803
THE FIGGERS FOUNDATION IS REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES. A COPY OF THE
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING
TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE
STATE. OUR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH 62541
