Clearwater Free Clinic

What Clearwater Free Clinic does

Clearwater Free Clinic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that delivers free primary and specialty medical care to uninsured, low-income residents of mid and upper Pinellas County, Florida, operating from an 11,000-square-foot facility at 1218 Court Street in Clearwater. Its service portfolio covers nurse practitioner and volunteer physician office visits, a Diabetic Program with supplies and education, low-cost generic medications plus enrollment in Patient Assistance Programs, women's health, ophthalmology, nutritional counseling, pediatrics, and referral-based behavioral health provided by licensed clinicians and graduate trainees. On a $2.2 million FY2024 operating budget the clinic delivered $11.3 million in healthcare services across 12,785 patient visits, with reported outcomes including 93% of patients not requiring an emergency department return after receiving care.

The organization is funded entirely outside of government and United Way channels, running instead on individual donations, foundation grants, and large-scale in-kind contributions from hospital, lab, and specialty-practice partners. A network of more than 250 volunteers - including many with 20+ year tenures - contributes over 13,000 hours annually, and the clinic maintains strategic alliances with BayCare Health System (Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant), Moffitt Cancer Center, LabCorp, Radiology Associates of Clearwater, Feeding Tampa Bay, AmeriCares, Direct Relief, and a range of specialty practices. Core technology is limited to Microsoft 365 Forms for patient intake, medication refills, and volunteer applications; the clinic does not deploy proprietary software or public APIs.

A major capital expansion is underway with the Ruth and J O Stone Wellness Center, which received its Temporary Certificate of Occupancy in June 2026 and adds physical and occupational therapy studios, an expanded behavioral health suite, a teaching kitchen, and a BayCare-powered Food Clinic serving over 100 families per week. The build is funded by the Keep Them Well campaign, which has raised over $6.5 million against a $7 million goal. Leadership comprises CEO Anthony Degina, VP of Advancement and Administration Charlie Hart, Clinical Director Maureen Green (APRN, FNP-BC), Director of Operations Leslie Steele, and Director of Medication Services Victor Riccardo (LPN), under a Board of Directors chaired by Luke Lovgren.

Name

Clearwater Free Clinic

Legal name

Clearwater Free Clinic Inc.

Website

https://clearwaterfreeclinic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clearwater Free Clinic is a Clearwater, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that delivers free primary, specialty, behavioral, and pharmaceutical care to uninsured, low-income residents of mid and upper Pinellas County through a volunteer-driven model supported by community hospital and foundation partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Clinic

NAICS

Outpatient Care Centers (6214), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community-Based Preventive & Health Promotion Clinics (HLAFAGAO)

Keywords

• Free healthcare services
• Primary care clinic
• Specialty medical referrals
• Medication assistance programs
• Behavioral health counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The clinic is funded through the generosity of individual donors who contribute to the organization. Patients are asked to make a donation at each visit to help cover operating expenses.
2. Foundation Grants: Local foundations and grant providers contribute funding to support clinic operations and the Keep Them Well capital campaign.
3. Community Partner Donations: Community partners including hospitals, labs, and medical practices donate services including free lab services, radiology exams, and specialty care, effectively providing in-kind support that allows the clinic to deliver over $5 in services per $1 donated.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Clearwater Free Clinic provides free primary and specialty medical care, medications, behavioral health, and ancillary support services to low-income, uninsured residents of mid and upper Pinellas County, Florida. Care is delivered on-site at its 11,000 sq ft facility by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and partner specialists, with hospital, lab, and pharmaceutical partners supplying donated diagnostic, surgical, and pharmaceutical services. Patients are asked only to make a voluntary per-visit donation to help cover operating expenses.

Product overview

Clearwater Free Clinic is a nonprofit healthcare organization offering a portfolio of free medical services to uninsured, low-income residents of upper Pinellas County, Florida. Its core service offering centers on primary and specialty care office visits, supported by specialized programs including a Diabetic Program (care, nutrition, and education), Medication Service (acute/chronic generics plus Patient Assistance Program enrollment), Women's Care (pap smears, mammogram referrals), Ophthalmology (diagnostic and diabetic eye exams), Nutritional Counseling (individual and group sessions), Pediatrics (sick visits and school physicals), and Behavioral Health (referral-based therapy and psychiatric services). The Ruth and J O Stone Wellness Center — a major new two-floor facility opening in early 2026 — serves as the flagship expansion, integrating physical and occupational therapy, an expanded behavioral health suite, a BayCare-powered Food Clinic with Feeding Tampa Bay, and a teaching kitchen into a single whole-person care campus. The clinic operates without government funding, relying on volunteerism, community partnerships, and individual donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary and Specialty Care Office Visits Office visits with nurse practitioners and volunteer physicians covering primary care and specialty referrals including EKGs, labs, X-rays, and hospital procedures as warranted. Intended for eligible uninsured residents of mid and upper Pinellas County.
• Diabetic Program Ongoing diabetic care, nutrition, and education for patients managing diabetes, including supplies and medication management. Intended for uninsured patients with diabetes in Pinellas County.
• Medication Service Acute and chronic generic medications provided at low cost through an on-site medication program; also enrolls patients in Patient Assistance Programs for free medications from pharmaceutical companies. No narcotics are dispensed.
• Women's Care Women's health services for established patients including pap smears and mammogram referrals, as determined by clinic practitioners.
• Ophthalmology Diagnostic eye exams and diabetic eye exams available when volunteer specialists are on site.
• Nutritional Counseling One-on-one counseling and group nutrition classes to help patients manage chronic conditions and adopt healthier eating habits.
• Pediatrics Sick visits and back-to-school physicals for children who meet eligibility requirements, including a dedicated Wednesday morning pediatric clinic.
• Behavioral Health Referral-based behavioral health services including individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and counseling provided by licensed clinicians and graduate trainees for clinic patients.
• Food Clinic (BayCare + Feeding Tampa Bay) A food distribution program in partnership with BayCare and Feeding Tampa Bay that provides fresh produce, pantry staples, and proteins to over 100 families each week, complemented by nutritional guidance and a new teaching kitchen for hands-on culinary education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $11.3 million in healthcare services delivered on a $2.2 million budget
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, secondary and minor.

• LabCorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabCorp provides free laboratory services to CFC patients as part of the community partnership network supporting comprehensive healthcare delivery.
• BayCare Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayCare Health System hospitals (Mease Countryside Hospital, Mease Dunedin Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital) provide free hospital-based diagnostic procedures and follow-up care to discharged uninsured patients to prevent unnecessary readmissions. Also partners on the Food Clinic with Feeding Tampa Bay.
• Homeless Empowerment ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to provide healthcare access to homeless individuals in the community and connect them with comprehensive medical services.
• The Ruth & J.O. Stone FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor donor foundation supporting the Keep Them Well campaign for the Ruth & J.O. Stone Wellness Center expansion project.
• Feeding Tampa BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate the Food Clinic distributing fresh produce, pantry staples, and proteins to over 100 families each week, with nutritional guidance provided in consultation nooks.
• AmeriCarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides donated medications and medical supplies to support the clinic's medication program for uninsured patients.
• Direct ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides pharmaceutical donations and medical supplies to support free clinic operations.
• Clearwater Cardiovascular ConsultantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical practice donating specialized cardiology care to CFC patients through volunteer specialist services.
• Clearwater Surgical AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurgical practice providing donated surgical care and consultations to clinic patients.
• Radiology Associates of ClearwatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides basic and specialized radiology exams and diagnostic imaging services to CFC patients at no cost.
• Center for SightsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye care practice providing diagnostic eye exams and ophthalmology services to clinic patients.
• Moffitt Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic cancer center providing specialized oncology care and treatment coordination for CFC patients.
• Largo Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital providing free hospital-based diagnostic procedures and inpatient services to CFC patients.
• Morton Plant Hospital Sleep Disorders CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides sleep disorder testing and treatment services to CFC patients through donated care.
• NOVA Southeastern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaculty and students from NOVA provide physical therapy services, with expanded physical therapy classes planned for the new Wellness Center.
• St. Luke's Cataract & Laser SurgerysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye care practice providing cataract and laser surgery services to CFC patients.
• Operation SightsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization providing free cataract surgery to uninsured patients.
• Operation WalksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization providing free joint replacement surgeries.
• St. Petersburg College School of NursingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing students gain clinical experience while supporting clinic operations.
• University of South Florida School of NursingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing students provide clinical support while gaining hands-on healthcare experience.
• University of Tampa School of NursingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing students provide clinical support while gaining hands-on healthcare experience.
• Clearwater Rotary ClubsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic organization supporting clinic through volunteer service and community advocacy.
• Lions Club of ClearwatersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic organization providing volunteer support and community outreach for clinic services.
• Kiwanis Club of Top of the BayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic organization providing community support for healthcare initiatives.
• Florida Association of Free and Charitable ClinicssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association providing advocacy, resources, and the NAFC Gold Standards certification for quality care.
• Foot and Ankle Physicians, P.A.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPodiatric practice providing free foot and ankle care to CFC patients.
• The Eye Institute of West FloridasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEye care practice providing ophthalmology services to clinic patients.
• Hemorrhoid Treatment Center of FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialty practice providing treatment services to CFC patients.
• Orthopaedic Association of West FloridasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrthopedic practice providing musculoskeletal care to CFC patients.
• Surgical Associates of West FloridasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurgical practice providing general surgery services to clinic patients.
• Urology Association of West FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrology practice providing specialty care including surgery for conditions like kidney stones and cancer.
• Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of FLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing speech and hearing services to CFC patients.
• SunCoast Osteopathic FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting osteopathic medicine and healthcare in the community.
• Meridian CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution providing student support and training opportunities.
• Community Dental ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDental clinic providing oral healthcare services through community partnership.
• GFWC North Pinellas Woman's ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's civic organization providing volunteer support and community advocacy.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Tampa Family Health Centers: Federally qualified look-alike operating 13+ sites in Hillsborough/Pinellas counties delivering primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy to underserved populations; comparable ambulatory footprint and patient base but payer-mix differs.
• Suncoast Community Health Centers: FQHC operating multiple sites in the Tampa Bay/Florida region offering primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy on a sliding-fee scale; comparable ambulatory care focus and underserved patient segment, but different funding model.
• Evara Health: Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating across Pinellas County providing primary, behavioral, and dental care to insured and uninsured residents; serves an overlapping patient base but uses a federally funded operating model rather than volunteer-driven donations.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers in Medicine: National network of 90+ free clinics using volunteer providers to deliver care to uninsured populations; highly comparable mission, model, and patient segment to CFC.
• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): National membership organization for 1,400+ free and charitable clinics; provides the Gold Standards Seal certification held by CFC and represents the broader peer ecosystem.
• Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics: State-level industry association representing Florida's free and charitable clinics, including CFC; comparable network/advocacy function across the same operating model and certification framework (NAFC).

Others

• BayCare Health System: Major hospital partner that donates inpatient, diagnostic, and follow-up services to CFC patients; not a direct peer in operating model but a critical ecosystem enabler for the same patient population.
• Feeding Tampa Bay: CFC's Food Clinic partner and regional food bank; adjacent in their food-distribution + nutrition-counseling overlap, though primarily a hunger-relief rather than healthcare organization.

Direct peers

• St. Petersburg Free Clinic: A nearby free clinic in Pinellas County providing free medical and social services to uninsured low-income residents; directly comparable volunteer-driven safety-net model serving an overlapping geography.

Emerging players

• Good Samaritan Health Centers: Faith-based free clinic networks operating in other U.S. regions with a similar volunteer + in-kind model serving uninsured patients; comparable operating approach in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ClwFreeClinic

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clearwater Free Clinic