Representatives from private foundations gathered Tuesday, Marrch 19 at the newly launched Foundation Forum hosted by the Indian River Community Foundation. The session’s topic, Children and Youth: The New Face of Homelessness, gave the representatives an opportunity to learn about this little talked about subject in Indian River County, the nonprofit organizations addressing the need and the opportunities private foundations have to impact the issue. Four organizations including representatives from the Indian River County School District, Children’s Home Society, Hibiscus Children’s

Center and United For Families, served on a panel that provided the group with broad statistics about the subject of youth and homelessness, along with specific information about how their organization is addressing the issues. The Forum concluded with a discussion between panel and foundation representatives.

The next Foundation Forum will be held April 9 and will focus on Indian River Lagoon: Concern or Crisis featuring representatives from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, Indian River Land Trust, Ocean Research and Conservation Association and Harbor Branch.

The Foundation Forum is an informal group interested in learning about community needs, discussing critical issues in charitable giving and becoming acquainted with others who share the philanthropic spirit, said Paul Becker, a board member of the Indian River Community Foundation and chair of the Foundation Forum. It is open to any person who is a trustee or board member of a private foundation, which conservative estimates show about 200 such people living at least seasonally in Indian River County

The Indian River Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Indian River County through donor driven philanthropy. The Foundation currently manages over $18 million in assets restricted for charitable purposes, the majority of which are held in donor advised funds. To attend the Foundation Forum, a person must serve on the board of directors or be employed by a private, grant making foundation. For specific information about the April 9 Foundation Forum call (772) 492-1407 or email kerry@ircommunityfoundation.com.