Innocence Project of Florida Needs Area Support to Receive $250,000 Grant from Chase Community Giving
Contact: Seth Miller, smiller@floridainnocence.org, 850-561-6767
Jackie Pugh, jpugh@floridainnocence.org, 850-561-6767
Innocence Project of Florida Needs Area Support to Receive $250,000 Grant from Chase Community Giving
Area residents can make a huge impact by voting on Facebook
(Tallahassee, FL) – The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF), a non-profit working to find and free innocent people in Florida prisons, is competing with charities nationwide for grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 from the Chase Community Giving program. Supporters and local residents can help ensure their success by simply voting for IPF through the Chase Community Giving program on Facebook.
Through the utilization of social media networks, the Chase Community Giving program has already directed more than $20 million dollars toward charities nationwide, putting the power to bring positive change across the nation into the hands of those who need it most.
“In William Dillion’s case DNA testing alone cost $18,000,” said Seth Miller, IPF’s executive director. “Receiving even $10,000 could pay for DNA testing in multiple cases.” DNA testing proved William Dillon’s innocence and he was released from prison in 2008 after spending 27.5 years wrongfully incarcerated.
The Fall 2012 round of the Chase Community Giving program, designed to benefit smaller and local charities, is limited to 501(c)(3) charities with operating budgets under $10 million. The top eligible charity will receive $250,000 and the remaining 195 top charities earn $10,000 through $100,000 awards, for a total of $5 million dollars in grants.
“I am free today because of IPF,” said James Bain. “Without their help I wouldn’t have had the chance to buy my first home or witness the birth of my son.” James Bain spent 35 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. With IPF’s help he was exonerated on December 17, 2009.
“With the help of donors, supporters and local residents, IPF has the opportunity to get much needed resources to help unlock the truth,” said Mike Minerva, IPF’s CEO.
How You Can Help
You can help IPF receive up to $250,000 by simply visiting Facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving and casting your vote! Votes will be accepted September 6-19, 2012.
JP Morgan Chase customers can also vote at www.chase.com/ChaseGiving.
About Innocence Project of Florida
Since 2003, IPF has utilized the science of DNA testing to help innocent inmates in Florida obtain their freedom and rebuild their lives. IPF screens and investigate cases in which meritorious innocence claims are identified; secures DNA testing when biological evidence exists; advocates for the release of each inmate excluded from criminal responsibility; provides transitional and aftercare services to exonerees; and advocates for necessary criminal justice reform to avoid wrongful incarcerations in the future. Florida has freed 13 men through DNA testing; these men collectively spent more than 250 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.
About Chase Community Giving
Chase Community Giving is grant program inspiring a new way of corporate philanthropy by letting participants vote to help determine which small and local non-profits will receive donations from Chase. The program has given away over $20 million in grants to charities nationwide, with focuses including animals & environment; education; health; military & veterans; poverty; and the arts. To learn more about the program, visit Facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving.
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