Hobe Sound Community Chest

In The Hobe Sound Community
Empowering Human Services
Helping • Caring • Sharing

The Chest Honors Eric T. Wesel with Community Service Award

On April 8, 2026 the Community Service Award Luncheon was held at Loblolly which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to our community. Eric T. Wesel served on the Board of Directors for the Hobe Sound Community Chest for 28 years. Upon his passing the Board wanted to honor Eric for his lasting impact he has made on Hobe Sound over the years. The Community Service Award was renamed in his honor to the Eric T. Wesel Community Service Leadership Award.

Hobe Sound Early Learning Center Shares the Impact the Chest is Making on Our Youngest Learners

Ashley Azzi, Head of School at the Hobe Sound Early Learning Center shared how the Chest is making an impact on our youngest learners.

2025-26 Campaign Results

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this year we received a record $3,359,632 in contributions to the Annual Campaign and the Hobe Sound Strong Start Initiative, which includes $500,000 from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation to be used for Hobe Sound Strong Start in 2026-27.

We reinvested these funds by awarding a record $2,100,452 in grants and post-secondary scholarships to 44 entities serving Hobe Sound residents. The Chest also invested a total of $694,383 in Hobe Sound Strong Start including $433,347 for preschool scholarships. Additionally, we awarded $92,900 in special grants, resulting in a total community impact of $2,887,735 in a single year.

Our Mission

The mission of the Hobe Sound Community Chest, Inc. is to promote the social and educational wellbeing of the entire community by funding programs and initiatives serving Hobe Sound residents in need.

Our Difference

Our volunteer directors visit and evaluate the social service agencies we support, applying rigorous standards, designed to ensure fiscal and program accountability.

Hobe Sound Community Needs

16%

of preschoolers are not Kindergarten-ready

14.5%

of Hobe Sound has no health insurance

13.3%

of Hobe Sound children live at or below poverty level

Strategic Initiatives

The Chest has a history of funding unique projects outside of the annual grants process. These notable and exciting initiatives include increasing kindergarten readiness, purchasing land for affordable housing, creating an after-school program and renovating an early learning center.

We fund over 40 social services, supporting the Hobe Sound community at large.