The Leadership Advisory Board of the Florida Prosperity Initiative reports that Florida is making progress in reducing childhood poverty. The latest Florida Chamber Foundation Prosperity Initiative analysis highlights continued momentum in the statewide business-led effort to cut Florida’s childhood poverty in half by 2030, which is one of 39 targeted goals of the Florida 2030 Blueprint to move Florida from the 15th-largest global economy to the 10th-largest.
According to our latest analysis, despite having more children in Florida, the number of children in poverty in Florida dropped from 714,768 to 711,576, a reduction of 3,192 children over the last reporting period alone, and a decrease of over 200,000 children in poverty since the launch of the Florida Prosperity Initiative.
Driven by strong collaboration among business, community, and policy leaders, such as our aligned partners at United Way, the Federal Reserve, Local Chamber of Commerce, Hope Florida, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Reading Pals program and so many others, Florida continues to see measurable improvements as partners remain focused on expanding economic opportunity and removing barriers for children and families.
“This progress illustrates the power of business leaders with big hearts, our collective impact model, and reinforces Florida’s growing reputation as a national model for tackling generational poverty through localized, data-driven solutions,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “When I originally testified before Congress about Florida’s zip code–driven approach, 23.3% of Florida’s children were living in poverty. Today, that figure has dropped to 16.5%. However, our work is far from finished.”
Even as Florida businesses create 1 in every 15 new jobs in America, state leaders emphasize that sustained focus is essential to ensure economic growth reaches every family. Through the Florida Prosperity Initiative, partners remain committed to replacing poverty with self-sufficiency—one zip code at a time—and inviting business leaders across the state to play an active role in shaping Florida’s future.
“I know firsthand that abuse, foster care, and poverty do not have to define a child’s future,” said Heather Cogar, Statewide Director of Community Engagement of the Florida Prosperity Initiative. “When caring adults, businesses, and community leaders show up with intention and data-driven solutions, the cycle of generational poverty can be broken. We are creating pathways to opportunity that truly change lives for generations, one zip code at a time, one family at a time.”
Echoing Florida’s zip code–driven approach to breaking generational poverty, leaders and policymakers stress that child safety, one of the root causes of poverty, must be addressed with the same neighborhood-level focus.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has made protecting children a central focus of his leadership, is already working with communities and law enforcement across Florida to change the trajectory for children and their families experiencing barriers to safety and economic opportunity.
“Safety for children in Florida should never depend on a zip code, which is why I’m working with the Florida Prosperity Initiative in driving real change at the neighborhood level to strengthen protections and close gaps to opportunity and self-sufficiency,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Florida Prosperity Initiative Advisory Board member Dawn Belamarich, President & CEO of Southwest Florida’s Collaboratory, said, “We unite business, non-profit and community leaders in our five Southwest Florida counties and the Prosperity Initiative’s 10 Root Causes of Poverty allow us to focus our time, resources and action where and how it’s needed most.”
Mike Bays, a prominent Citrus County business and community leader, agrees. “The genius of the Prosperity Initiative approach is it lets local business leaders collaborate together with their local Sheriff, chamber, United Way, schools, food pantries and others to create zip code-level solutions based on the unique needs of our zip code (34465) here in Citrus County. As a local State Farm Agent, I want what’s best for our community, and the Florida Chamber’s 10 Root Cause model allows businesses in my zip code to focus our time and resources on what will make the biggest difference to cutting childhood poverty in half.”
Data Snapshot: The latest childhood poverty numbers have already been uploaded to our county-by-county scorecard. To view your county’s latest childhood poverty numbers, visit www.thefloridascorecard.org and use the drop-down menu to focus on your county.
The latest zip code look at childhood poverty numbers can be found at the Florida Prosperity Initiatives’ www.theFloridaGapMap.org. More than half of our 711,576 children in poverty live in 150 of our 983 Florida zip codes. To view over 100 metrics in your zip code, visit www.thefloridagapmap.org.
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s research team will analyze the new data and provide a full report later this month. We know that, while childhood poverty is down slightly, we saw 35 counties reduce their childhood poverty, one stayed the same and 31 counties saw an increase in childhood poverty. A full analysis will be available next month.
- Overall Poverty in Florida:
- Highest Percentage of Residents in Poverty: Gadsden County, 27.9%
- Lowest Percentage of Residents in Poverty: St. John’s County, 6.5%
- Overall Childhood Poverty in Florida:
- Highest Percentage of Children in Poverty: Hardee County, 39.30%
- Lowest Percentage of Children in Poverty: Santa Rose County, 6.5%
For Countywide Poverty Rate Ranked Least to Highest Year-Over-Year Comparison
The Florida Chamber Foundation Prosperity Initiative will release a comprehensive statewide report later this month and host a nationwide webinar discussing the findings, highlighting best practices, and outlining next steps for continued progress, including what will be covered at the June 9 Florida Prosperity Summit in Tampa.
How Leaders Can Help Cut Florida Childhood Poverty in Half
Join the Florida Prosperity Initiative
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative created the Florida Model to address the 10 Root Causes of Poverty and ensure every child has a pathway to prosperity, one zip code at a time.
The 10 Root Causes of Poverty:
- Food Insecurity
- Unattainable Housing
- Lack of Access to Quality Healthcare
- Unsafe Homes and Neighborhoods
- Lack of Employment Opportunities
- Lack of Available Quality Education
- Insufficient Transportation
- Unaffordable and Unattainable Child Care
- Lack of Financial Literacy
- Lack of Agency and Community Voice
To learn how you can join the effort to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030, contact Kristina Donohue at kdonohue@flchamber.com.
2026 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit
Business and community leaders are invited to participate in the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit on June 9, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
This annual event will provide insights into the 10 root causes of poverty and explore actionable, data-driven solutions to advance economic opportunities at the local and statewide levels. Learn more and register HERE.
Florida Prosperity Initiative Advisory Board
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030 are guided by a growing group of individuals and companies, who serve on the Florida Prosperity Initiative Advisory Board:
- Sky Beard, Florida Director, No Kid Hungry
- Maritza Martinez-Guerrero, VP of External Affairs & Philanthropy, Orlando Magic
- Mike Griffin, Senior VP of Advocacy & Public Policy, Advent Health
- Tracy Melvin, Manager, Maximus
- Dawn Bellamarich, President & CEO, Collaboratory
- Andy Sweet, CEO & President, Children’s Home Society of Florida
- Michelle Hamilton, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Florida Blue
About the Florida Prosperity Initiative
The Florida Prosperity Initiative is a data-driven, business-led effort of the Florida Chamber Foundation focused on addressing the root causes of poverty and expanding economic opportunity for all Floridians. Through cross-sector partnerships, community engagement, and measurable outcomes, the Initiative is working to cut childhood poverty in half by 2030. For more information, visit flchamber.com/flprosperityinitiative.