St. Petersburg Foundation

What St. Petersburg Foundation does

St. Petersburg Foundation (SPF) is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as the philanthropic arm of the St. Petersburg Group, building organizational and community capacity in the Tampa Bay region. Its portfolio includes seven distinct programs: the Lealman Exchange (a Pinellas County-owned community services hub operated under management contract since April 2022); the Catalyst for Good consultancy (paid capacity-building engagements at $20,000 each for nonprofits); Capacity Catalyst (a B2B capacity-building content platform for nonprofit professionals); the Needs Navigator Program (resource connection for residents); the Community Tech Desk (free weekly technology help for seniors); the Lealman Swim Program (free swim lessons in partnership with the YMCA); and the St. Petersburg Science Center revitalization project (a planned 50,000-square-foot AI and emerging technologies education hub scheduled to open in 2026).

SPF's underlying technology is modest, centered on a content/newsletter platform (Capacity Catalyst, Lealman Voice) and a resource-navigation model that load-balances across partner organizations rather than proprietary software. The organization does not develop AI models or technology products; its AI footprint is limited to hosting planned educational stations and startup workspace at the future Science Center. Revenue derives from a mix of individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, government contracts and appropriations (including a $2.5 million state appropriation), and earned income from the Catalyst for Good consultancy.

The organization serves four primary customer segments: underserved Lealman community residents (programs, navigation, swim safety, tech support), local nonprofit organizations (paid consultancy and free capacity-building resources), K-12 and young adult students (STEAM and emerging-technology education), and — on a prospective basis — early-stage companies and corporate tenants at the planned LaunchAI workspace. Governance rests with a small board including co-founder Joe Hamilton (St. Petersburg Group), former JP Morgan executive Irv Cohen, and former Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Julie Mastry, with Karen Chassin as Executive Director.

Name

St. Petersburg Foundation

Legal name

St. Petersburg Foundation

Website

https://stpete.foundation

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

St. Petersburg Foundation is a Florida nonprofit that operates community programs in the Tampa Bay region, including the Lealman Exchange community hub, a paid nonprofit consultancy (Catalyst for Good), and a planned AI-focused Science Center revitalization, serving underserved residents, nonprofits, and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Collective impact initiatives
• STEAM education hub
• Community services hub

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Petersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Catalyst for Good Consultancy Services: A one-stop consultancy offering organizational development and capacity building for nonprofits through hands-on coaching. The program includes three phases: Inquiry (needs assessment), Coaching and Consulting Sessions (expert partner matching), and Activation (implementation support). Investment is $20,000 per engagement.
2. Donations and Grants: The foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate grants, and foundation support. Donations support ongoing initiatives including the Science Center revitalization, Lealman Exchange programs, and swim safety initiatives.
3. Community Partnerships and Sponsorships: The foundation receives support from corporate partners like Duke Energy ($500,000 over 10 years for Lealman), Tampa Bay Lightning ($50,000 Community Hero Grant), and various foundations for specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St. Petersburg Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that builds capacity for community organizations and the Lealman, Florida community through a portfolio of programs including the Lealman Exchange community services hub, the Catalyst for Good paid nonprofit consultancy, Capacity Catalyst nonprofit resource platform, the revitalizing St. Petersburg Science Center (AI/STEAM education), Needs Navigator resource connection program, Community Tech Desk, and the Lealman Swim Program.

Product overview

St. Petersburg Foundation is a social impact consultancy that operates as a portfolio of community programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include: the Science Center (reimagined as an AI and emerging technologies education hub), Capacity Catalyst (nonprofit capacity building platform), Catalyst for Good (nonprofit consultancy service), Lealman Exchange (community services hub), Needs Navigator Program (resource connection service), Community Tech Desk (technology assistance), and Lealman Swim Program (water safety education). These programs are distinct service offerings unified by the Foundation's mission to build capacity at organizational and community levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lealman Exchange: A county-owned community services hub and gathering place for Lealman residents, providing community programs and resource navigation.
• St. Petersburg Science Center
• Capacity Catalyst
• Catalyst for Good

Products and services

• Lealman Exchange A county-owned community services hub and gathering place operated by SPF since April 2022 in partnership with Pinellas County Government. Serves as backbone for a Collective Impact initiative, providing programs focused on economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, character and leadership, and community connectivity for Lealman residents.
• Catalyst for Good A one-stop paid consultancy that builds infrastructure and capacity for nonprofits through hands-on coaching with deliverables. Offers three phases: Inquiry (needs assessment), Coaching and Consulting Sessions (expert partners across legal, financial, fundraising, technology, communications, HR), and Activation (implementation support). Program investment is $20,000 per engagement with matching funding available.
• Capacity Catalyst A capacity building resource for B2B nonprofit growth and collaboration that delivers news, content, utility and opportunity to build personal and organizational capacity. Features include nonprofit news, Capacity Connector classifieds board, organization spotlights, event calendar, funding opportunities, success stories, and educational articles.
• St. Petersburg Science Center A revitalized emerging technologies hub being reimagined as a cutting-edge AI and STEAM education center, featuring an AI Village with 12 educational stations, specialized labs, training programs, workforce development pathways, a Hybritorium hybrid events auditorium, LaunchAI workspace for early-stage companies, and nearly 15,000 square feet of leasable high-tech office space. The facility operates as a public/private partnership with SPF managing the educational component.
• Needs Navigator Program A navigation system connecting individuals and families to critical resources including housing assistance, food security, and mental health support. Helps residents of the Lealman community access essential resources quickly and efficiently, particularly after natural disasters such as Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
• Community Tech Desk A free weekly technology help desk at the Lealman Exchange providing hands-on help navigating smartphones, tablets, and laptops for seniors and community members. Co-sponsored by CodeBoxx Foundation and Unique IT Pro, running every Tuesday 9am to noon.
• Lealman Swim Program A life-saving initiative providing free swim lessons to children and teens aged 6-16 in the Lealman community. Operated in partnership with Lealman Exchange and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, with transportation provided from Lealman Exchange to Jim and Heather Gills YMCA. Also offers lifeguard certification pathway for older participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ Lealman Voice newsletter subscribers receiving community resources and updates
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pinellas County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Pinellas County contracted with SPF to provide management services at the Lealman Exchange. SPF serves as backbone organization for the Collective Impact initiative recommended in the 2021 Lealman Exchange Strategic Plan. County owns the facility; SPF provides operational management and programming.
• University of South Florida Muma College of BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with USF Consumer Experience Laboratory to create comprehensive survey examining the state of nonprofit sector in Pinellas County (2022-2023).
• Community Foundation Tampa BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted human and financial resources to support the Collective Impact Process and provides funding for Needs Navigator position. Multiple grants awarded ($15,000 for Needs Navigator, $25,000 for Swim Program expansion).
• YMCA of Greater St. PetersburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-way partnership with SPF and Community Foundation to provide free swim lessons at Jim and Heather Gills YMCA. YMCA provides facility and instruction; SPF provides transportation from Lealman Exchange and program coordination.
• St. Petersburg GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPF is the nonprofit arm of the St. Petersburg Group. The Group operates the office space at the Science Center and provides consulting expertise. Joe Hamilton serves as co-founder of both entities.
• CityverseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoe Hamilton serves as Head of Network for Cityverse, a forthcoming civic media platform. Part of the St. Petersburg Group ecosystem of companies.
• CodeBoxx FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the Community Tech Desk program at Lealman Exchange, providing free weekly technology help for seniors and community members.
• Unique IT ProminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the Community Tech Desk program at Lealman Exchange, providing technical expertise and volunteer staff for technology assistance.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Foundation Tampa Bay: A regional community foundation serving the Tampa Bay area that makes grants and provides philanthropic leadership. Directly comparable as both an institutional grantmaker and program operator serving overlapping Pinellas County nonprofits and donors.
• Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg: A place-based community foundation focused on health equity and social determinants in south St. Petersburg. Directly comparable as a peer place-based foundation serving the same geography and overlapping nonprofit ecosystem; SPF's Executive Director previously led this organization.
• Pinellas Community Foundation: A community foundation serving Pinellas County that provides grants, scholarships, and donor services. Directly comparable as the other major community foundation in SPF's primary service geography with overlapping donor and nonprofit relationships.

Regional players

• Gobioff Foundation: A Tampa Bay-based family foundation funding community initiatives including arts and culture. Comparable as a regional grantmaker with overlapping funder relationships (Gobioff has funded SPF) and similar focus on place-based philanthropy in the Tampa Bay region.
• Francis and Gertrude Levett Foundation: A Florida-based family foundation focused on education and the arts. Comparable as a regional educational grantmaker that has directly funded SPF's Science Center STEAM Village ($200K) and operates in adjacent Florida philanthropic circles.

Emerging players

• Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation: The charitable arm of the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL franchise, awarding Community Hero Grants to local nonprofits. Comparable as a regional philanthropic grantmaker that has directly funded SPF ($50K Community Hero Grant) and operates in the same Tampa Bay nonprofit ecosystem.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay: A youth development nonprofit operating facility-based programs in the Tampa Bay area. Comparable as a community-based program operator serving overlapping youth and family populations in Pinellas County with comparable facility-based service delivery models.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Suncoast: A regional United Way affiliate serving the Tampa Bay area with community impact funding, 211 resource navigation, and nonprofit partnerships. Comparable as a larger, more established operator of community programs and resource navigation services overlapping with SPF's Needs Navigator.
• Duke Energy Foundation: The philanthropic arm of Duke Energy, a major utility serving Florida and the Southeast. Comparable as a corporate funder that has committed $500K to SPF's Lealman community work and represents the type of multi-year corporate sponsorship SPF depends on for sustainability.

Others

• City of St. Petersburg (Government): The municipal government that approved the sale of the Science Center to SPF and contracts SPF for community programming. Comparable as the primary public-sector partner and facility counterparty whose policy decisions directly determine SPF's program continuity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StPetefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stpetersburgfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about St. Petersburg Foundation