Gulf Breeze Will Do, a women’s philanthropic group, awarded $45,000 in grants at its annual meeting on November 2.
- Gulf Breeze Will Do (GBWD) was born out of a group of Gulf Breeze women who formed an organization to serve as a funding tool for other organizations and individuals trying to make a difference in the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach communities. The organization is celebrating its 11th anniversary and has funded more than $543,000 in grants since its inception.
Grant funding at GBWD is provided by collective annual membership dues, of which 100% is distributed back to the community. Every member has a vote on which organizations receive grant funding.
This year’s grant recipients include:
Art, Recreation & Sports category:
Gulf Breeze High School Baseball Boosters – Building supports: Enhancing Baseball Training & Safety
• A $9,863 grant will purchase advanced training equipment to improve safety, consistency and skill development for all athletes in the program.
Environment category:
Dr. Laura J. Burke and Ms. Sarah Kawell – The Meow Mission: Empowering Neighbors To Reduce Local Cat Overpopulation
• A $5,089 grant will be used to purchase durable, professional trapping equipment to share with residents in the 32561 and 32563 zip codes.
Education category:
Oriole Beach Elementary School – From Plain To Productive – A Patio Transformation
• A $1,301 grant will be used to purchase six convertible bench-to-picnic tables to create a productive outdoor learning space.
Santa Rosa Education Foundation – Take Stock In Children
• An $8,117 grant will be paired with matching funds from the state of Florida to fully fund a four-year college education for a low-income, at-risk student from the Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach area.
Gulf Breeze Middle School – Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Postcards
• A $1,353 grant will be used for postcard mailers that will be sent to recognize positive student behaviors such as responsibility, honesty, kindness and respect.
Hardship Support Services category:
Bee Brave A Braylen Foundation – Equipment Grants For Children With Disabilities
• A $5,000 grant will be used to purchase adaptive equipment to assist a local family with a disabled child.
Tax Mavens, Inc. – Santa Rosa VITA Support
- A $1,341 grant will purchase equipment and supplies, allowing the group to add more volunteers to assist community members with tax return preparation.
Public Safety category:
The Arc Gateway – Santa Rosa Adult Day Center Sensory Room
- A $4,080 grant will be used to create a sensory room at the Arc Gateway South Santa Rosa center. This calming, engaging environment will help clients struggling with anxiety and overstimulation, which could result in unsafe situations.
City of Gulf Breeze Police Department – Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- A $7,044 grant will be used to purchase four AEDs to replace the current units that are near the end of their useful life.
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce – Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- A $1,809 grant will be used to purchase a portable AED to provide life-saving support at one of the busiest public areas on the beach.
The 2026 Membership Drive is currently underway. Annual dues are $250 per person and membership is open to women 18 years of age or older. To join, visit www.gulfbreezewilldo.org.
ABOUT GULF BREEZE WILL DO
Gulf Breeze Will Do was formed to engage women in philanthropy by collectively providing grants to support nonprofits and initiatives serving the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach Communities in zip codes 32561 and 32563. One hundred percent of the members’ dues are awarded by grant to support those with a heart to help others. The Board of Directors is a group of volunteers whose purpose is to collect and distribute funds through grants voted on by its members.