Cox Communications employees have awarded a total of $60,000 in grants to six local nonprofits, through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants. The program provides $10,000 employee funded grants to support programs benefiting local residents. Nonprofits submitted applications earlier this year, and Cox employees voted on the winning organizations. This year’s recipients of the Cox Charities Community Investment Grants are:
- A Bed 4 Me Foundation, Inc. – With a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, the organization will provide safe, comfortable beds to 76 children in Okaloosa and Walton counties, helping improve health, well-being, and their ability to succeed at home and in school.
- Children in Crisis, Inc. – Supported by a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, the organization will enhance academic outcomes for 60–75 children in out-of-home care through an immersive eight-week STEAM summer program featuring hands-on, project-based learning with LEGO Education kits.
- Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) – Through a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, IHMC will expand access to hands-on STEM programs by keeping Science Saturdays free and waiving summer robotics camp fees for students from families with limited means, removing barriers and inspiring future STEM engagement.
- Heart of the Youth Foundation – With a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, the foundation will support its LEGO® STEAM Summer Experience, serving approximately 120 students with hands-on learning in coding, engineering, and creative problem-solving while expanding access to advanced technology and building long-term STEM pathways.
- Nokuse Education, Inc. – Funded by a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, Nokuse will enhance environmental education at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center by upgrading technology and outdoor learning spaces, expanding access for underserved communities and deepening STEM engagement for more than 6,500 annual students and visitors.
- Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation – With a $10,000 Cox Charities grant, the foundation will provide hands-on environmental education for approximately 1,000 elementary students through a watershed stewardship program that builds STEM skills and fosters conservation awareness.
“As the Executive Director of the Okaloosa Public School Foundation, I have the privilege of serving our school district while working alongside outstanding community partners. People travel from all over the United States because Okaloosa County is geographically blessed with abundant natural resources.” said John Spolski, Okaloosa County School District Assistant Superintendent and executive director of the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. “Thanks to this grant and Cox Communications’ support, our students will be immersed in hands-on learning through field-like experiences. I would also like to extend a thank you to the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, an amazing group that continues to support our teachers. These partnerships and grants are increasing access to meaningful enrichment opportunities for our Okaloosa students!”
Cox Charities, a charitable initiative of Cox Communications, is fully funded by Cox employees and business partners. The funds raised are invested annually as Cox Charities Community Investment Grants to organizations that align with our focus areas of youth innovation with programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); conservation and sustainability initiatives; and equal opportunity.
“Cox Charities’ generous investment in Children in Crisis’ Neighborhood Summer STEAM Initiative will create transformative educational opportunities for 60–75 at-risk children in out-of-home care across the Gulf Coast”, said Kevin Maloney, president and CEO of Children in Crisis. “Through hands-on LEGO Education STEAM experiences, this support will help bridge academic gaps, inspire creativity, and equip vulnerable youth with critical science, technology, engineering, arts, and math skills that extend far beyond the summer months. Cox Charities is not only investing in education; it is also helping empower at-risk children with confidence, innovation, and brighter futures through opportunities designed to help them thrive.”
A total of $600,000 is being awarded to 56 grant recipients throughout Cox’s East Region.
“Giving back isn’t just something we do at Cox, it defines who we are. From funding local nonprofit grants to volunteering our time, we show up with heart, purpose and a true commitment to the Gulf Coast community,” said David Deliman, market vice president of Cox Gulf Coast. “I’m incredibly proud of the difference our team continues to make.”
For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.CoxCharitiesEast.org.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we own network infrastructure that reaches more than 30 states. Our fiber-powered wireline and wireless connections are available to more than 12 million homes and businesses and support advanced cloud and managed IT services nationwide. We’re the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox that is dedicated to empowering others to build a better future for the next generation.
