Lightning and Benchmark Award $300,000 to 12 Tampa Bay Nonprofits

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Benchmark International awarded a combined $300,000 in community grants to 12 Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations through the “Strikes of Kindness” initiative. Each organization received a $25,000 grant during a celebration at Benchmark International Arena, making the distribution one of the largest single-day grant efforts in Lightning history. The announcement came as the team prepared to open its 2026–27 season, but the program is designed to extend beyond one ceremony. The partners said the grants will help participating organizations broaden their reach and deepen their work across the region. Lightning and Benchmark International employees also joined volunteer projects at three beneficiary organizations, adding hands-on service to the financial support. The initiative launches a season-long campaign that will continue highlighting the work and community impact of the participating nonprofits, with additional Strikes of Kindness activities expected during the season.

The 12 grant recipients represent a wide range of Tampa Bay needs and community institutions: ALS Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Bullard Family Foundation, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Fosters, Friends of Joshua House Foundation, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, Operation Healing Forces, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, and Vincentian Cares. Together, their missions span hunger relief, youth mentoring and education, foster-family support, services for people living with ALS, military and veteran support, arts access, family programs, and other forms of local assistance. For residents, the announcement offers a concise view of how a major local sports organization and an arena partner are directing resources into neighborhood-serving work. It also gives people a useful starting point for learning about organizations active across the region, whether they want to volunteer, donate, seek services, or follow the season-long spotlight. The official release states that more Strikes of Kindness initiatives will be announced throughout the season.