For the second consecutive year, we partnered with the Centene Foundation to award community micro-grants to local nonprofits dedicated to supporting youth. Through the 2025 grants, 45 organizations received essential items benefiting an estimated 8,800 low-income students across 28 zip codes and representing a nearly 130% increase in distribution compared to 2024. Nearly half of the grantees designated these items, including shoes, clothing, and hygiene products, to support children and families impacted by the May 16 tornado.

During a series of grant celebrations, where organizations received their awarded items, we also convened group discussions to explore shared challenges and opportunities for deeper collaboration. Keith Williamson, President of the Centene Foundation, commented, “As a funder, it’s nearly impossible to interact with every organization, so it was a special opportunity to hear directly from them. With limited resources, we want to see more of this kind of collaboration.”

For Jazzie Ford, Founder of LaLa Speaks Foundation, the connections have been especially meaningful for a nonprofit still in its infancy. “I’ve admired the Little Bit model and am grateful to learn from them and others about what works in the current landscape,” she said. LaLa Speaks was founded in May 2024 in response to and in remembrance of the sudden passing of Ford’s daughter due to a ruptured brain aneurysm. The organization combines community outreach and support with education on early detection of this “silent killer.”

With support from the Centene/Little Bit grant, Ford was able to provide warm winter essentials to youth and families while also sharing critical information about brain health during LaLa Speaks’ first Warm Hands, Full Hearts Thanksgiving event. “I look forward to staying connected and exploring future opportunities to collaborate in service of youth and families in our community,” she said.