Cox Communications employees have awarded $50,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofits through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants, with five organizations in Okaloosa and Walton counties receiving funding for programs ranging from autism education to sea turtle conservation.
- The employee-funded program provides grants of up to $5,000 to support programs benefiting area residents. Organizations submitted applications earlier this year for consideration.
Among the recipients, Emerald Coast Autism Center will use grant funds to purchase Vibe smartboards for classrooms, enhancing academic and vocational instruction for students with autism. The technology will support individualized goals in language, social skills and functional academics during the 2025-2026 school year.
Emerald Coast Science Center will develop and deliver 20 to 25 free Family Science Night events across Northwest Florida, reaching more than 7,600 students and caregivers. Each event features 15 hands-on STEAM activity stations themed around “Nocturnal Nature.”
- “We are incredibly grateful to Cox for supporting our Family Science Night program. This grant will allow the Emerald Coast Science Center to bring even more hands-on STEM learning opportunities directly into schools, reaching thousands of students and families across our region,” said Kate Fox, development coordinator of the Emerald Coast Science Center. “With Cox’s support, we can continue breaking down barriers to access and help schools provide engaging, real-world experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators.”
Gulfarium CARE Foundation will support the rescue, rehabilitation and release of at least 150 sea turtles along Florida’s Gulf Coast in 2025. Grant funds will cover veterinary equipment, tanks, climate control systems, emergency response supplies and care materials. The foundation will also use funds for STEAM-based youth education programs reaching more than 5,000 students.
S4P Synergy will host a Back to School Bash serving 400 individuals with free school physicals, supplies, clothing, food and family-friendly activities. The event will also offer cybersecurity training for parents and access to health and insurance resources.
The Seaside School will expand its Dream Big STEAM Leaders Program, doubling student participation in robotics, drones and Weather STEM activities while increasing enrollment among female and underrepresented students. The program will integrate virtual reality and 3D printing. The initiative will also launch a theatre program offering daily instruction and after-school productions to help students build communication, creativity, confidence and collaboration skills.
Five additional organizations also received funding: Autism Pensacola, which will support a six-week summer camp for 75 children and teens with autism in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties; Gulf Coast Council, Scouting America; Gulf Coast Kid’s House; Institute for Human and Machine Cognition; and Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
Cox Charities is funded entirely by Cox employees and business partners. A total of $315,000 is being awarded to 63 grant recipients throughout Cox’s East Region.
“Supporting our community isn’t just part of our job, it’s who we are at Cox. Whether it’s our employees giving money from their own pockets to fund these local nonprofit grants, or rolling up our sleeves to volunteer, our team shows up with heart and purpose,” said David Deliman, Cox Gulf Coast market vice president. “This community means a lot to us, and I’m incredibly proud of how our employees continue to make a real difference every day.”
Cox Charities focuses on youth innovation programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and math; conservation and sustainability initiatives; and equal opportunity. More information is available at www.CoxCharitiesNE.org.
