2nd Quarter 2026 Grant Awards

SECO Energy Foundation Awards $249,550 in Second-Quarter 2026 Grants

The SECO Energy Foundation awarded $249,550 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations and community partners during its second-quarter 2026 grant cycle. The funding will support programs serving communities throughout SECO Energy’s service territory, including initiatives focused on veterans, youth, public safety, food insecurity, healthcare, education, and therapeutic services.

From providing life-saving equipment for first responders and expanding access to food and healthcare to supporting veterans, foster youth, students, and children with serious illnesses, this quarter’s grants reflect the many ways local organizations are working to strengthen the communities they serve.

2nd Quarter 2026 Grant Summaries

Citrus County Education Foundation – Community of Care | $25,000
Awarded $25,000 to Citrus County Education Foundation to support its Community of Care program, which helps low-income and unhoused students and families meet urgent basic needs like emergency housing, food, transportation, hygiene items, and other support.

Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department – Ballistic Vest Funding | $4,050
Awarded $4,050 to the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department to purchase ballistic vests for officers.

Stirrups ’n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center – Expansion of Safe Horse Stabling for Therapeutic Riding | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to Stirrups ’n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center to help construct a roof over outside horse stalls to improve safety and comfort for horses used in therapeutic riding programs for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional challenges.

City of Cedar Key – Cedar Key Fire Department SCBA Replacement Initiative | $25,000
Awarded $25,000 to the City of Cedar Key to support the Cedar Key Fire Department’s purchase of updated Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment.

The Rotary Club of The Villages Evening – Smiles for Veterans | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to The Rotary Club of The Villages Evening for its Smiles for Veterans program. The program partners with Langley Health Services to provide affordable dental care for low-income veterans, helping cover the cost of cleanings, emergency services, and general dental treatment.

Lake Cares Inc. – Feeding the Need | $22,000
Awarded $22,000 to Lake Cares Inc. to support its Feeding the Need food distribution program. The funding will help restock pantry shelves and provide essential food to Lake County families.

Boys & Girls Club of Citrus and Marion County – Workforce Summer Programming | $25,000
Awarded $25,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Citrus and Marion County to support workforce summer programming. The program helps youth explore career pathways, develop job readiness skills, and gain hands-on experience through initiatives such as mobile culinary training, construction workshops, career exploration, financial literacy, and mentorship.

Arts in Health Ocala Metro – Healing Arts Huskies | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to Arts in Health Ocala Metro for Healing Arts Huskies, an after-school arts enrichment program at College Park Elementary School. The program will use music, painting, and creative activities to support student confidence, focus, emotional wellness, and a sense of belonging.

H3Haven Inc. – Community Healing and Wellness | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to H3Haven Inc. to support a Community Healing and Wellness event in Marion County. The event will connect residents with grief support resources, healing activities, wellness professionals, educational materials, and tools that promote emotional health.

Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter – Veterans Housing Initiative | $25,000
Awarded $25,000 to Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter to support its Veterans Housing Initiative. Funding will assist with construction materials for either critical home repairs for veteran homeowners or a new affordable home for a qualified veteran family in Lake or Sumter County.

Project Health, Inc. dba Langley Health Services – Community Wellness and Engagement Project | $20,000
Awarded $20,000 to Langley Health Services for its Community Wellness and Engagement Projects. The projects will support outreach events across Sumter, Citrus, and Marion counties, including health education for students, back-to-school events, community resource fairs, and holiday support for families.

Hero To A Child – Pathways to Success: Educational Support for Foster Youth | $10,000
Awarded $10,000 to Hero to a Child to provide educational support for foster youth in Pasco County. Funding will help meet individualized needs such as tutoring, laptops, school uniforms, activity fees, and other resources that help children in foster care succeed academically and socially.

10 CAN, Inc. – Florida CAN | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to 10 CAN, Inc. to support Florida CAN outdoor therapeutic programs for veterans, first responders, vulnerable women, and at-risk youth. Programs include youth hunts and camps, veteran and family outdoor adventures, and women-specific outdoor activities designed to build resilience, mentorship, and community connection.

K9 Partners for Patriots – Operation 2026 | $25,000
Awarded $25,000 to K9 Partners for Patriots to support Operation 2026, a service dog training and mental health support program for veterans.

Villages Honor Flight – Villages Honor Flight | $5,000
Awarded $5,000 to Villages Honor Flight to help transport veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials honoring their service.

Good Spirit Foundation – Summer Camp | $4,500
Awarded $4,500 to Good Spirit Foundation to support its four-week summer day camp. The program builds confidence, leadership, academic skills, resilience, and mentorship among youth, including teen counselors who help guide younger campers.

Camp Boggy Creek – Rest Easy at 30 | $30,000
Awarded $30,000 to Camp Boggy Creek for its Rest Easy at 30 project. In celebration of the camp’s 30th anniversary, funding will replace aging mattresses in camper cabins helping children with serious illnesses and their families experience greater comfort, safety, and rest during camp.

Kiddy Up Ranch Inc. – Adaptive/Therapeutic Carriage Driving Program | $4,000
Awarded $4,000 to Kiddy Up Ranch Inc. to support the growth of its Adaptive/Therapeutic Carriage Driving Program.

The SECO Energy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local charitable initiatives. The grants awarded by the Foundation are funded by SECO Energy members who round up their monthly electric bills. The average member contribution is approximately 50 cents per month, demonstrating the strength in numbers when a community unites. The Foundation distributes the funds through a quarterly grant process to support health and human services, veterans, public safety, STEM, energy, environmentalism and education. For more information, visit www.SECOFoundation.org.