Americans have a generally favorable view of charitable giving and nonprofits, but asked about how the economic segment benefits them, they’re far less certain – that’s according to an Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy report. 

Health First Foundation President Michael Seeley says it’s the duty of leaders like him to close that circle.

Health First is a not-for-profit, and one of Brevard County’s leading employers.

“Everything we do from providing funds to maintaining facilities to bringing in cutting-edge technologies to recruiting world-class providers benefits Brevard County,” Seeley told Brevard Business News. 

Consider Health First’s Aging Services center, Seeley said. The Memory Disorder Clinic enlists Neurologists and other physicians, Psychologists and case workers to evaluate individual’s battling cognitive decline. Nearby at the Center for Family Caregivers, program managers host yoga and exercise sessions, mindfulness classes, even painting workshops meant to unburden caregivers and nurture residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Aging Services is a prolific and meaningful resource for older Brevard County residents and their families, and it is largely funded by the Health First Foundation, whose Golf Classic fundraiser this year brought in more than $400,000 in support of it.

“Aging Services is a one-stop resource for older adults,” Seeley told BBN. “As Brevard’s population ages, services for older adults are only going to grow in importance.”

According to the philanthropy report, just about 5% of people surveyed said that they or any in their immediate family received charitable or nonprofit services in the last year.

Those who may not be served by services, though, may be paid as nonprofit staff. Over the last 15 years, nonprofit employment has grown by a third, far outpacing for-profit sector employment growth of less than 10%, according to an analysis by the Washington Post (based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey).

Still, last year, according to the most recent Giving USA report, philanthropic giving saw a decline.

“Market volatility and inflation were the two biggest factors causing the decline in giving,” Seeley said.

The Standard & Poor’s 500, a broad measure of stock market health, declined almost 20% for the year, and nonprofit giving portfolios are comprised of heavily market-invested Americans. Healthcare nonprofits are no exception, but Seeley said the Health First Foundation is “bucking the national trend.”

Seeley told BBN that giving to the Health First Foundation has a direct and meaningful – at times life-saving – impact on our neighbors. He pointed to the Compassionate Care Fund which disburses “Guardian Angel” grants – funds for transportation, food and other necessities that often get compromised when people unexpectedly find themselves in the hospital or with a diagnosis requiring regular treatments.

Beyond the Foundation, Seeley said his message is this – just give. Contact the Community Foundation for Brevard, a local resource more than 40 years old that guides giving decisions across all possible nonprofits, big and small, local and global.

“We are honored to partner with the Community Foundation for Brevard,” he said. “Their team is committed to the betterment of Brevard.”

So “get involved with a charity. There are many worthy charities in Brevard where people can help others and make an impact in their community.”

READ the complete feature in Brevard Business News HERE.