The Immokalee Foundation was created in 1991 to invest in the community of Immokalee,
by providing funding for long-term solutions to Immokalee’s problems and generating community-wide
support for the needs and the value of Immokalee.
Immokalee is a working town in inland Collier County, Florida. With nearly 44% of all employment
related to agriculture and another 11% in service occupations, the people of Immokalee provide
much of the labor force for the area’s two major industries.
The community’s population of 17,000 doubles during the harvest season taxing social, housing,
medical and child care services. Nearly half of all families live at or below the poverty level,
with 70% of the families with children having both parents working outside the home. Almost
three-quarters of those over 25 have not completed their high school education.
The Immokalee Horse Trials is The Foundation’s primary fund-raising event. The event is
sponsored by Collier Enterprises, Founding Sponsor, and The Chase Manhattan Private Bank,
Title Sponsor. Held in February, the weekend event is described as a triathlon of equestrian
sports - dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country competition - in a rustic, “Old Florida”
setting, drawing more than 4,000 spectators each year. Each year more than 1,000 sponsors
and patrons attend the “Day in the Country” lunch on Sunday.
In four years, net proceeds from the Immokalee Horse Trials has allowed The Immokalee
Foundation to distribute almost $500,000 to various nonprofit organizations in Immokalee.
We take great pride in having established a “legacy” for the children of Immokalee -
loan/scholarship endowment fund - and having been the catalyst for community
development efforts - Empowerment Zone process and pursuit of federal grants and loans.
The Foundation’s Beneficiary Advisory Committee, comprised exclusively of people who
live and work in Immokalee, reviews grant requests and determines allocations of
proceeds on a yearly basis.
While Immokalee did not receive funding, a comprehensive strategic plan was produced
which gives Immokalee a blueprint for building its future. We are currently reassessing
the plan to determine which concepts may be implemented with the limited resources available.
The Immokalee Foundation plans to pursue state, federal and any other outside funding,
providing staff and expertise where necessary. The Foundation will also help underwrite
programs to seek additional funding in the areas of housing, health care and airport
redevelopment, among others.
The Immokalee Foundation is headquartered at:
(941) 434-4091Grant Distribution
During the last four years, organizations providing health care, child care, education
and emergency services for the children of Immokalee have received more than $390,000
in grantsLoan/Scholarship Endowment Fund
The loan/scholarship endowment fund, when funded to the minimum level required
for an endowment, will provide for the higher education of Immokalee students through
loans which convert to scholarships for those who return to Immokalee to work and live.Community Development Support
Because creating year-round jobs is necessary to sustain Immokalee’s economy,
in 1994 The Foundation organized a community-wide effort to apply for federal
Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community funding under President Clinton’s “Building
Community: Together” program.
3001 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 201
Naples, FL 33940
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