It had been standard procedure that each city in Broward County address the financial needs of charities and social service organizations that serve their community.  By funding in this manner, it was the obligation of the residents of the said city to pay for these services by way of taxation. 

With the creation of the Coral Springs Community Chest this procedure was removed from the governmental entity of Coral Springs and transferred to the private sector.  In 1988, the Coral Springs Community Chest was founded as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization on the premise that community resources should provide for community needs.  There is no paid staff.   

This nonprofit is served by a voluntary board of trustees so that 98 percent of the funds raised are reinvested back into the community.

Since its inception the Community Chest has funded over $2 million to non-profit organizations that have services and programs benefitting Coral Springs residents, as well as residents throughout Broward County.   

The organization receives funding from a city grant, special events, fundraisers, corporate, and private donations.  Fundraisers have included the yearly Golf Tournament, Puck for Bucks, participation as a beverage vendor during the Coral Springs 50^th anniversary concert, production of a play celebrating the history of the city, Mayor’s Roast Event, a 50″s Party Event, a Celebrity Waiter event at Bru’s room and many more.

The Coral Springs Community Chest changes the lives of children, the elderly, the disabled, students and residents in need.  It makes a direct impact on all Broward County residents through funding for: crisis intervention for homeless and runaway children; rehab and leisure activities for the physically and emotionally challenged; programs in which seniors help children of special needs; daycare services for low income families, assistance for Alzheimer’s patients, grant money for student educational programs and scholarships for deserving college-bound students.

Each year from June until August, nonprofits serving Coral Springs residents are welcome to submit grants to the Community Chest.  The grants are read by the trustees and monies awarded are voted on during a trustee meeting in September.  In October, the grants are awarded to over 30 nonprofits.

Some of the organizations funded by the Coral Springs Community Chest include:  Abi’s Place, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Alzheimer’s Family Center, ARC Broward, Broward Health, Broward Housing Solutions, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Center for Hearing and Communication, Challenger Baseball, Children’s Harbor, Covenant House,  Equine Assisted Therapy, Family Central, Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention, Gateway Community Outreach, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, Henderson Behavioral Health, Hospice by the Sea, Impact Broward, In Jacob’s Shoes, Light of the World Clinic, Lighthouse of Broward, Make-A-Wish of Southern Florida, Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund, Mental Health Association, Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital, Jeffrey Smith 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund, SOS Children’s Village, 211 Broward, and Women in Distress.

The Community Chest also identifies additional funds for its “Neighbors in Crisis” program for families and or individuals facing catastrophic circumstances. 

The Coral Springs Community Chest is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in need.  The small voluntary Board of Trustees is comprised of committed individuals who have improved the quality of life for children, the elderly, disabled adults, and students in the Coral Springs community.