Bringing God’s healing, hope, and help to people in need.
A defining feature of Lutheran Services Florida Inc is the scale of its direct-service funding for behavioral health providers across Florida, with several awards above $25 million in the latest grant list. The largest recent grant shown is $39,883,463 to Sma Behavioral Health Services Inc in Daytona Beach for DCF SAMH PROVIDER work, followed by $36,553,552 to the same provider in 2023 and $31,949,113 to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc in Gainesville in 2024. Those amounts point to a funder that relies on large, contract-style grants to sustain service delivery rather than on small discretionary awards. The pattern extends across multiple community providers. Lutheran Services Florida Inc has given repeated support to Lifestream Behavioral Center Inc in Leesburg, Gateway Community Services Inc in Jacksonville, and Mental Health Resource Center Inc in Jacksonville, all for DCF SAMH PROVIDER services. It also appears in early childhood education through a $4,248,174 grant to School District of Palm Beach County for HEAD START PROGRAM. The mix aligns with the foundation’s stated focus on behavioral health and substance use treatment, Head Start, child welfare, refugee and immigrant services, youth shelter, workforce development, and family support. Its public profile reads as service-oriented, program-specific funding for providers serving children, families, and people with mental health or substance use needs.
Behavioral health and substance use treatment is the clearest theme in the recent grants. Lutheran Services Florida Inc gave $29,434,082 to Sma Behavioral Health Services Inc in 2025, $29,294,217 to Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc in 2025, and $28,709,166 to Lifestream Behavioral Center Inc in 2025, all marked DCF SAMH PROVIDER. The foundation also supports child welfare and youth services through provider-based awards. Gateway Community Services Inc received $16,529,942 in 2025 for DCF SAMH PROVIDER work, while Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare in Yulee received $5,214,751 in 2025 under the same designation. Early childhood education appears as a separate line of work. In 2023, School District of Palm Beach County received $4,248,174 for HEAD START PROGRAM. Together with the behavioral health awards, the pattern shows funding for direct service organizations rather than broad unrestricted grants.
$619.8M
$135.3M
$425.1M
$420M
Most grants fall between $191K and $1.5M, with a median of $469K.
25th Percentile
$191K
Median
$469K
75th Percentile
$1.5M
About 100% of grants go to recipients in FL.
SAMUEL M SIPES
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeRegístrate gratis para ver qué tan bien se adapta tu organización sin fines de lucro a este financiador, obtener un pitch generado por IA y descubrir fundaciones similares.
Grant size is highly concentrated at the upper end: the typical award ranges from a p25 of $190,534 to a median of $468,916, with a p75 of $1,548,164. The recent list also shows a second, much larger operating pattern built around multimillion-dollar service contracts. Recipients recur across years. Sma Behavioral Health Services Inc, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc, Lifestream Behavioral Center Inc, Gateway Community Services Inc, Mental Health Resource Center Inc, Clay Behavioral Health Center Inc, Baycare Behavioral Health Inc, Epic Community Service Inc, Flagler Hospital Inc, and Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare each appear more than once in the recent grants list. The foundation is a Pure DAF Provider and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is entirely in Florida in the data provided, with 100% of grants to recipients in the state and the top state by grant count also Florida. Recent awards cluster in Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Leesburg, Jacksonville, Ocala, St. Augustine, Orange Park, New Port Richey, Yulee, and West Palm Beach. Jacksonville appears repeatedly through Gateway Community Services Inc and Mental Health Resource Center Inc, while St. Augustine appears through Flagler Hospital Inc and Epic Community Service Inc.
The recent grants are dominated by direct-service providers, especially behavioral health and substance use treatment organizations. Examples include Sma Behavioral Health Services Inc in Daytona Beach, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc in Gainesville, and Lifestream Behavioral Center Inc in Leesburg, all funded under DCF SAMH PROVIDER work.
Yes. One recent grant went to School District of Palm Beach County for $4,248,174 for HEAD START PROGRAM, showing that Head Start is part of its giving alongside behavioral health and family services.
The giving is local and entirely in Florida in the data provided. Florida accounts for 100% of grants, and the top state by grant count is also Florida.
Yes. Multiple organizations recur across years, including Sma Behavioral Health Services Inc, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare Inc, Lifestream Behavioral Center Inc, Gateway Community Services Inc, Mental Health Resource Center Inc, Clay Behavioral Health Center Inc, Baycare Behavioral Health Inc, Epic Community Service Inc, Flagler Hospital Inc, and Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare.
The foundation’s typical grant size is large relative to many public charities: p25 is $190,534, median is $468,916, and p75 is $1,548,164. The recent list also includes much larger contract-style awards in the tens of millions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC | DAYTONA BEACH, FL | $29,434,082 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| MERIDIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE INC | GAINESVILLE, FL | $29,294,217 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| LIFESTREAM BEHAVIORAL CENTER INC | LEESBURG, FL | $28,709,166 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| GATEWAY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $16,529,942 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $15,737,916 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| SMA HEALTHCARE FKA THE CENTERS | OCALA, FL | $15,189,211 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| FLAGLER HOSPITAL INC | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $9,825,369 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CLAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER INC | ORANGE PARK, FL | $8,375,340 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| BAYCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHINC | NEW PORT RICHEY, FL | $7,062,924 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| EPIC COMMUNITY SERVICE INC | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $6,192,345 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| STARTING POINT BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE | YULEE, FL | $5,214,751 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $3,875,316 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| DAYSPRING VILLAGE INC | HILLIARD, FL | $3,840,457 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| COMMUNITY COALITION ALLIANCE INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $3,653,230 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| HALIFAX HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER DBA HALIFAX HEALTH | DAYTONA BEACH, FL | $2,744,626 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| OPERATION PAR INC | PINELLAS PARK, FL | $2,642,257 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| PHOENIX PROGRAMS OF FLORIDA DBA PHOENIX HOUSE OF FLORIDA | BRANDON, FL | $2,476,338 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| FRESH MINISTRIES INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,468,635 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CHRYSALIS CENTER | CORAL GABLES, FL | $2,379,989 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| ST AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES INC | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $2,247,426 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS | GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL | $2,225,483 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| ALACHUA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS | GAINESVILLE, FL | $1,842,478 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA INC | WITNER PARK, FL | $1,767,734 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| HANLEY CENTER FOUNDATION INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $1,739,301 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,586,128 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CDS FAMILY & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC | GAINESVILLE, FL | $1,504,160 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| IM SULZBACHER CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,307,596 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| ST JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF CNTY COMMISSIONERS | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $1,203,709 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| OUTREACH COMMUNITY CARE NETWORK INC | DAYTONA BEACH, FL | $1,132,989 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| ECKERD YOUTH ALTERNATIVES INC | CLEARWATER, FL | $1,057,682 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| HERE TOMORROW INC | NEPTUNE BEACH, FL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| NAMI JACKSONVILLE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| NORTHWEST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $952,340 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| FLAGLER OPEN ARMS RECOVERY SERVICES INC | FLAGLE BEACH, FL | $896,207 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| INSPIRE TO RISE INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $811,061 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| ZERO HOUR LIFE CENTER INC | LECANTO, FL | $778,555 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| BAY AREA YOUTH SERVICES | TAMPA, FL | $777,755 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| DANIEL MEMORIAL INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $698,655 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| REBEL RECOVERY FLORIDA INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $679,693 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| VOLUSIA RECOVERY ALLIANCE INC | DAYTONA BEACH, FL | $663,302 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| MARLYN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS INC DBA QUALITY RESOURCE CENTER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $585,633 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CRC HEALTH TREATMENT CLINICS LLC | PORT ORANGE, FL | $524,330 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| CATHEDRAL FOUNDATION OF JACKSONVILLEINC DBA AGING TRUE | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $517,117 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| VAN GOGH'S PALETTE INC DBA VINCENT ACADEMY ADVENTURE COAST | PINELLAS PARK, FL | $486,106 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR INC | DELAND, FL | $470,050 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | CLEARWATER, FL | $466,497 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| AWARE RECOVERY CARE OF FLORIDA | DELRAY BEACH, FL | $438,272 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| RENEW RECOVERY CAFE INC | DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, FL | $425,866 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| LIVING HOPE INC | LAKE CITY, FL | $422,432 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
| NAMI HERNANDO | SPRING HILL, FL | $419,490 | 2025 | DCF SAMH PROVIDER |
SMA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC
$29,434,082DCF SAMH PROVIDER
MERIDIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE INC
$29,294,217DCF SAMH PROVIDER
LIFESTREAM BEHAVIORAL CENTER INC
$28,709,166DCF SAMH PROVIDER
GATEWAY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$16,529,942DCF SAMH PROVIDER
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER INC
$15,737,916DCF SAMH PROVIDER
SMA HEALTHCARE FKA THE CENTERS
$15,189,211DCF SAMH PROVIDER
FLAGLER HOSPITAL INC
$9,825,369DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CLAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER INC
$8,375,340DCF SAMH PROVIDER
BAYCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHINC
$7,062,924DCF SAMH PROVIDER
EPIC COMMUNITY SERVICE INC
$6,192,345DCF SAMH PROVIDER
STARTING POINT BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
$5,214,751DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER INC
$3,875,316DCF SAMH PROVIDER
DAYSPRING VILLAGE INC
$3,840,457DCF SAMH PROVIDER
COMMUNITY COALITION ALLIANCE INC
$3,653,230DCF SAMH PROVIDER
HALIFAX HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER DBA HALIFAX HEALTH
$2,744,626DCF SAMH PROVIDER
OPERATION PAR INC
$2,642,257DCF SAMH PROVIDER
PHOENIX PROGRAMS OF FLORIDA DBA PHOENIX HOUSE OF FLORIDA
$2,476,338DCF SAMH PROVIDER
FRESH MINISTRIES INC
$2,468,635DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CHRYSALIS CENTER
$2,379,989DCF SAMH PROVIDER
ST AUGUSTINE YOUTH SERVICES INC
$2,247,426DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
$2,225,483DCF SAMH PROVIDER
ALACHUA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
$1,842,478DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA INC
$1,767,734DCF SAMH PROVIDER
HANLEY CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$1,739,301DCF SAMH PROVIDER
UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA
$1,586,128DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CDS FAMILY & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC
$1,504,160DCF SAMH PROVIDER
IM SULZBACHER CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS INC
$1,307,596DCF SAMH PROVIDER
ST JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF CNTY COMMISSIONERS
$1,203,709DCF SAMH PROVIDER
OUTREACH COMMUNITY CARE NETWORK INC
$1,132,989DCF SAMH PROVIDER
ECKERD YOUTH ALTERNATIVES INC
$1,057,682DCF SAMH PROVIDER
HERE TOMORROW INC
$1,000,000DCF SAMH PROVIDER
NAMI JACKSONVILLE
$1,000,000DCF SAMH PROVIDER
NORTHWEST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC
$952,340DCF SAMH PROVIDER
FLAGLER OPEN ARMS RECOVERY SERVICES INC
$896,207DCF SAMH PROVIDER
INSPIRE TO RISE INC
$811,061DCF SAMH PROVIDER
ZERO HOUR LIFE CENTER INC
$778,555DCF SAMH PROVIDER
BAY AREA YOUTH SERVICES
$777,755DCF SAMH PROVIDER
DANIEL MEMORIAL INC
$698,655DCF SAMH PROVIDER
REBEL RECOVERY FLORIDA INC
$679,693DCF SAMH PROVIDER
VOLUSIA RECOVERY ALLIANCE INC
$663,302DCF SAMH PROVIDER
MARLYN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS INC DBA QUALITY RESOURCE CENTER
$585,633DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CRC HEALTH TREATMENT CLINICS LLC
$524,330DCF SAMH PROVIDER
CATHEDRAL FOUNDATION OF JACKSONVILLEINC DBA AGING TRUE
$517,117DCF SAMH PROVIDER
VAN GOGH'S PALETTE INC DBA VINCENT ACADEMY ADVENTURE COAST
$486,106DCF SAMH PROVIDER
THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR INC
$470,050DCF SAMH PROVIDER
GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$466,497DCF SAMH PROVIDER
AWARE RECOVERY CARE OF FLORIDA
$438,272DCF SAMH PROVIDER
RENEW RECOVERY CAFE INC
$425,866DCF SAMH PROVIDER
LIVING HOPE INC
$422,432DCF SAMH PROVIDER
NAMI HERNANDO
$419,490DCF SAMH PROVIDER