“Why don’t they just get a job?” We’ve all heard someone say that when they see a homeless person asking for help by the side of the road. When Chris Harbolt, outreach case manager for Homeless Services Council (HSC), sees that question in an online...

“Are you new to Vero?” the greeter asks. “No,” the woman answers. She’s wearing black jeans and a cute top, and her shoulder length blond hair shows just a little gray. She could be any middle-aged woman out running errands, stopping to pick up some...

Imagine the following scenario: A pregnant woman living in her car gives birth at the local hospital. She is on a waiting list for a homeless shelter, but there won’t be space available for a few weeks. The hospital can’t send a newborn home with...

Photo by Joshua Kodis Indian River Community Foundation is making history with a bold investment in the future of arts and community access in Vero Beach. In what leaders are calling a “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” the Foundation has awarded a $2 million discretionary grant—its largest ever—to...

McKee Botanical Garden is Vero Beach’s first and oldest award-winning attraction. Founded in 1932, the Garden was created to preserve Florida’s native hammock and showcase rare tropical plants from around the world. This month, the community foundation staff visited McKee Botanical Garden. They learned about...

It’s never easy to run the lead agency for the Treasure Coast Continuum of Care or to operate as one of the few local landlords willing to rent to chronically homeless tenants. But last November, actions taken by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban...

The nesting instinct typically peaks in a pregnant woman’s third trimester. That’s when many expecting parents, fueled by adrenaline and joyful anticipation, turn their attention to preparing the baby’s nursery. Every question feels monumental. Which crib should I buy? Where will we change our baby’s...

Imagine a cruise ship sinks off the coast at Riomar and leaves five thousand people flailing in the water. Everyone with a boat rushes to the beach to help. Soon the water is filled with fishing boats, jet skis, kayaks, and cruisers. The Coast Guard arrives with a rescue ship and can barely find room on the beach to launch. The chaos in...

In partnership with Vero Beach Magazine, Indian River Community Foundation’s President and CEO, Jeff Pickering, writes a monthly column called Indian River Insights. These articles explore the root causes of community needs, celebrate successes, analyze meaningful solutions, and offer insights into persistent challenges. In the March 2026...

Indian River Community Foundation finished a strong fiscal year on June 30, 2025 by reaching $100 million in assets, a historic milestone that coincided with Indian River County’s centennial. This is an aspirational goal our entire community deserves credit for achieving, made possible by generations...