Florida BRIDGE Collective
Empowering nonprofits in Florida through digital
A new initiative to bring together Floridian funders and nonprofits to
build resilience, strengthen digital capacity, and amplify
impact at scale
Welcome from Vinay Nair
CEO & Co-Founder at Lightful
More and more, nonprofits are telling us how important storytelling and diversifying funding sources have become.
We have also been speaking with funders across Florida and it’s clear that there is a desire to come together, and act in community.
I’m honored to announce the Florida BRIDGE Collective, a new initiative launching on June 30th designed to equip nonprofits with the tools, skills, and confidence to navigate these times, and respond to their needs.
Please get in touch! We’re building a collective movement - now is the time to act together and we would love for you to be involved.
In solidarity,
— Vinay Nair, CEO & Co-Founder, Lightful
Florida BRIDGE Collective
Working with a group of Foundations across Florida
The Florida BRIDGE Collective is a powerful collaboration between Lightful, key philanthropic organizations and a wide range of nonprofits across the state offering the opportunity for funders to nominate any number of their grantees to participate in our digital capacity building program, BRIDGE (Building Resilience in Digital Growth and Engagement). Drawing on our work with Floridan funders we've created a program that addresses the unique needs of Florida-based nonprofits.
This collective approach ensures participants benefit from tailored guidance, expert coaching, and a vibrant community of practice.
Floridians under 40 are significantly more likely to give online - NPOs need to invest now in technology to adapt
Current tactics are only effective with roughly a quarter of Florida’s Under 45 population
For 80% of nonprofits, top priorities are online presence, social media. Digital fundraising is a “struggle”
80% of nonprofits say AI is applicable to their work, but less than 50% are using it
The Florida BRIDGE Collective launches on June 30th
With masterclasses, one-to-one coaching, e-learning, and practical AI training, BRIDGE equips nonprofits with the digital storytelling and fundraising skills they need to build resilience and secure long-term sustainability. BRIDGE empowers nonprofits to:
- Run effective digital campaigns
- Build strong donor relationships through storytelling
- Develop impactful digital fundraising strategies
- Implement AI tools ethically and effectively
- Increase audience engagement through online platforms
The Collective brings together organizations from across Florida through statewide communities of practice, helping them learn from each other and build strong peer networks.
The impact of BRIDGE
Building a collective movement with funders
We’re inviting foundations to nominate and support as many grantees and partners as they wish – whether that’s 1, 10 or 100 – and come together in solidarity in our funders’ steering group. Excitingly, this will be chaired by Mari Kuraishi, President of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and co-founder of GlobalGiving.
The group will provide strategic guidance and foster a collaborative, trusted space where funders can share insights, align efforts, and maximise the effectiveness of their support.
Supporting nonprofits in Florida
Since 2020, Lightful has been strengthening the digital capacity and fundraising success of nonprofits across Florida through partnerships with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, The Miami Foundation, and the Florida Philanthropic Network.
The Miami Foundation
Lightful and The Miami Foundation are working together to support Miami's community champions.
100%
of Miami program participants reported increased digital confidence, with half improving fundraising outcomes
100
the cohort achieved the highest Net Promoter Score possible - 100
Florida Philanthropic Network
Statewide, with Florida Philanthropic Network, our programs empowered organizations to enhance websites, refine audience personas, and boost online fundraising.
100%
of participating organizations updated their websites
67%
developed audience personas to improve engagement
Jessie Ball duPont Fund
During Lightful's longstanding partnership with Jessie Ball duPont Fund, we've supported 126 nonprofits, helping them attract over 28,000 new donors.
$42+ million
raised directly through matched and bonus funding
5:1
return on investment for Jessie Ball duPont Fund
Mari Kuraishi, President, Jessie Ball duPont FundFunderOur grantees have seen amazing results using Lightful's digital tools and training, which is especially important during a time when expanding their digital storytelling and online donor engagement is critical to their survival. Thanks to the BRIDGE program, our grantees are better positioned to achieve the exceptional results that help them better serve their clients now and into the future.
Get Involved
The challenges ahead require bold action,
and we do not have to face them alone.
The Florida BRIDGE Collective is an invitation to funders and nonprofits alike to come together in a shared commitment to resilience.
As we announced at the FPN Summit 2025, we’re inviting foundations and other funders to nominate and support as many grantees and partners as they wish and come together in solidarity.
If you are a funder working in Florida looking to support your grantees with long term capacity building, ensuring they have the skills, tools, and confidence to thrive, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Please get in touch with Vinay Nair, CEO & Co-Founder.
Contact us
Join the Florida BRIDGE Collective
