Daily News presents more than $40,000 to Naples, Immokalee nonprofits

Collier Senior Resources is one of five local nonprofits that received a portion of more than $40,000 in grant money from the Naples Daily News Friday morning. 

"The fund will allow us to provide financial assistance to needy seniors with a low to moderate income. For example, if someone is behind on their rent or utilities," said Tatiana Fortune, the nonprofit's senior center director, before accepting a check worth $8,400. 

In 2014, Collier Senior Resources opened the Golden Gate Senior Center located at 4898 Coronado Parkway. The center serves about 60 to 70 meals every day Monday through Friday, Fortune added.

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Each year, the Daily News makes two sets of contributions to help support nonprofits based in Southwest Florida.

Disbursements, which typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, are made via the Gannett Foundation Grant Program. Gannett is the parent company of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press in Fort Myers and more than 100 media organizations across the U.S.

Friday's other grant recipients included The Immokalee Foundation, Neighborhood Health Clinic, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and Grace Place for Children and Families.

Barbara Evans, chief development officer at Grace Place, said they plan to use their $10,000 grant to go toward their early education program.

"This will go toward our bright beginnings literacy program, which prepares children for kindergarten," Evans said.

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The five nonprofits stood out from the more than 100 grant applications received, said Naples Daily News Editor Penny Fisher.

"Congratulations, you guys are obviously the cream of the crop and thank you so much for the great work you do," Fisher told the grant recipients inside the Daily News office.