Yet many organizations are being asked to do more with fewer hands. According to the Florida Nonprofit Alliance, about 40% of nonprofit organizations say they need more volunteers to meet current demand. Here in Northwest Florida, that need is clear. With extra support, food banks like Manna Food Bank can distribute more meals, youth organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida can mentor more students, and community groups can keep our neighborhoods and shorelines clean. But many still lack the funding and regular volunteers they depend on to operate at full strength.
That’s why corporate support and volunteerism matters. After decades of working alongside nonprofit partners and directly investing in their missions, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has seen firsthand how reliable volunteer engagement and tangible funds helps stretch limited resources and reduce operating costs. When companies become trusted partners, they make it possible for nonprofits to plan ahead and meet growing community needs — whether during hurricane season, the holidays or throughout the year.
In February, hundreds of FPL employees participated in our 18th annual Power to Care Week, an initiative rooted in the belief that lasting impact comes from showing up consistently. In Milton, FPL volunteers helped pack 900 bags of food that will be distributed to children and families during spring break, supporting FoodRaising Friends’ mission to ensure no child goes hungry. In Pensacola, FPL volunteers partnered with Pensacola Habitat for Humanity during the construction phase for a new home. Beyond hands-on service, FPL is also providing dozens of Northwest Florida nonprofits, including ReadyKids!, Pensacola and Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools, with grants through the NextEra Energy Foundation, a corporate foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and FPL – strengthening early childhood readiness and educational programs.
Strong communities aren’t built overnight. They’re built through steady, hands-on support that lays a foundation that lasts for generations. As Northwest Florida grows and faces new challenges, dependable volunteerism and investment in our local nonprofits will be more important than ever to help our communities thrive.