Supporting Charitable Organizations Across Florida
At Florida Medical News, we believe that a healthy community is built on more than medicine alone. It is shaped by the generosity of neighbors, the dedication of volunteers, and the strength of charitable organizations that step in when families need help most. Florida is home to millions of residents and visitors, and behind every healthy outcome there is often a nonprofit working quietly to make care possible. Whether the need is pediatric treatment, food security, disaster recovery, or housing assistance, charitable organizations provide an essential safety net that no single hospital or government program can deliver alone.
Why Supporting Florida Charities Matters
Florida faces a unique combination of challenges that make charitable giving especially impactful:
- A large senior population with significant medical and caregiving needs.
- A high rate of medically complex pediatric patients requiring specialty care.
- Frequent hurricane recovery efforts that strain local resources.
- A substantial number of families living below the federal poverty line.
Charitable organizations bridge the gap between what insurance covers and what families actually need to heal, recover, and thrive. Donations and volunteer hours fund lifesaving research, transportation to treatment, lodging for out-of-town families, mental health counseling, and countless other services. Supporting these organizations is one of the most direct ways residents and businesses can strengthen our state.
Major Charitable Organizations Serving Florida
The organizations listed below represent some of the most established and widely recognized nonprofits providing services to Floridians. Contact information is provided for general reference and was compiled from publicly available sources.
1. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude is a globally recognized leader in pediatric cancer treatment and research. Families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. The hospital partners with Florida families through referrals and fundraising chapters statewide.
- Headquarters: 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105
- Phone: 1-800-822-6344
- Website: www.stjude.org
2. Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa
Shriners provides specialty pediatric care including orthopedics, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and cleft lip and palate care, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
- Address: 12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone: (813) 972-2250
- Website: www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/tampa
3. Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
This chapter grants wishes to children with critical illnesses across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and the surrounding counties.
- Address: 4690 N. State Road 7, Suite 6A, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319
- Phone: (954) 967-9474
- Website: sfla.wish.org
4. Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida
Serves children across the central and northern regions of the state.
- Address: 7430 Sand Lake Commons Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819
- Phone: (407) 622-4673
- Website: cnfl.wish.org
5. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida
Provides lodging and support for families whose children are receiving medical care far from home.
- Address: 5621 Hood Street, Orlando, FL 32822
- Phone: (407) 658-1833
- Website: rmhccf.org
6. Feeding Florida
A statewide network of food banks distributing meals to food-insecure families. Member banks include Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding South Florida, and Second Harvest of Central Florida.
- Address: 307 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303
- Phone: (850) 222-1428
- Website: feedingflorida.org
7. American Cancer Society — Florida Region
Funds cancer research, supports patient navigation services, and operates Hope Lodge facilities offering free lodging to cancer patients in treatment.
- Florida Regional Office: 3709 West Jetton Avenue, Tampa, FL 33629
- Phone: 1-800-227-2345
- Website: www.cancer.org
8. The Salvation Army — Florida Division
Provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, addiction recovery programs, and shelter services across Florida.
- Divisional Headquarters: 5631 Van Dyke Road, Lutz, FL 33558
- Phone: (813) 962-6611
- Website: salvationarmyflorida.org
9. Habitat for Humanity of Florida
A statewide support organization for local Habitat affiliates that build affordable homes for families in need.
- Address: 1626 Mahan Center Boulevard, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Phone: (850) 942-2009
- Website: habitatflorida.org
10. Boys & Girls Clubs of Florida
Provides after-school programs, mentorship, and youth development services to children across the state.
- Address: 2840 Remington Green Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Phone: (850) 309-0533
- Website: bgcfl.org
11. American Red Cross — Central Florida Region
Provides disaster relief, blood collection, military family support, and health and safety training. The Red Cross is essential in Florida hurricane response.
- Address: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
- Phone: (407) 894-4141
- Website: www.redcross.org/local/florida
12. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation
Supports pediatric care, research, and family services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.
- Address: 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33155
- Phone: (305) 666-2889
- Website: nicklauschildrens.org/foundation
13. Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
Funds cancer research, patient programs, and clinical trials at Moffitt, Florida’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- Address: 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone: (813) 745-4673
- Website: moffitt.org/giving
14. Alzheimer’s Association — Florida Chapters
Offers caregiver support, education, and research funding for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
- Central & North Florida Chapter: 1212 North Westshore Boulevard, Suite 312, Tampa, FL 33607
- Phone: 1-800-272-3900
- Website: www.alz.org/cnfl
15. United Way of Florida
A statewide association supporting local United Way chapters that fund education, financial stability, and health initiatives.
- Address: 307 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303
- Phone: (850) 488-8276
- Website: uwof.org
16. Volunteer Florida Foundation
The state’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service, also coordinating the Florida Disaster Fund during emergencies.
- Address: 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Phone: (850) 414-7400
- Website: volunteerflorida.org
How You Can Help
There are many meaningful ways to give back to your community:
- Monetary donations — one-time gifts or recurring contributions of any size.
- In-kind contributions — donating goods, services, or professional expertise.
- Volunteer hours — offering your time at events, hospitals, food banks, or shelters.
- Corporate sponsorships — partnering your business with a cause that matters to you.
- Awareness — sharing an organization’s mission on social media or attending a fundraising event.
We encourage readers to research each organization, review its mission, and confirm its current programs before donating.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and was compiled from publicly available sources at the time of writing. Florida Medical News is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the organizations listed above. Addresses, telephone numbers, websites, and program details may change without notice, and readers are strongly encouraged to verify all contact information directly with each organization before making a donation or seeking services.
Inclusion on this list does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of services. Florida Medical News makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or current status of the information presented and disclaims any liability for actions taken based on this content.
Donors should perform their own due diligence, including consulting resources such as:
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
- Charity Navigator
- GuideStar / Candid
…to confirm the legitimacy and financial standing of any charitable organization before contributing.
