Foundation staff and guests at events

Foundation History

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is an independent, private  foundation born from the sale of Bayfront Health St. Petersburg in 2013. The Foundation was created to chart a new path in philanthropy. A path that emphasizes personal, local, and immediate needs, and stewards the funds to improve the health and quality of life for BIPOC residents.

A path that honors the Foundation’s origins.

“The arc of the social determinants of the health universe is long, but it bends toward social justice.”

David Chokshi

Over the past six years, lessons from the community and data from annual activities have informed key shifts in the Foundation’s identity.

2015

Bayfront HERO became the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg.

2015–2017

Foundation transitioned from being a traditional grant maker to a “listen and learn” philanthropic model.

2017–2019

Through the lessons gained by listening, Foundation shifted from programmatic support to emphasize grants related to health equity. This sharpened focus was designed to help overcome inequities defined by class, age, and geography.

The “Equity Atlas” (Equity Profile) was published by UNITE Pinellas in partnership with the Foundation.

2019–2020

A focus on racial equity became the baseline measure to address health inequities. This focus led to the Foundation to inspect systems, practices, and policies that perpetuate racial bias and discrimination.

2020 & Onward

Racial Equity to Achieve Health Equity to Improve Population Health.

In 2021, the Foundation will fuel influencing systems change, activities which accelerate health equity, and help build community wealth to health initiatives.

Our Origins

What existed before the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg? Read more about the origin story.

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The Journey

Take a deeper look at the Foundation’s journey over its first five years.

Coming Soon

2023 Annual Report

Read about the Foundation’s impact in the 2023 Annual Report.

Learn More

Join our Community of Changemakers

It is through our collective actions and ideas that we will achieve racial and health equity in Pinellas County. Keep pushing the movement forward. Connect with the Foundation and subscribe to our emails to stay updated on opportunities, developments, and events around equity.

Thank you for your interest!