Lightning & Benchmark Donate $300K to Tampa Bay Nonprofits

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Benchmark International awarded $25,000 each to 12 Tampa Bay nonprofit organizations Thursday. The $300,000 distribution precedes the team’s season opener in New York.

The grants support organizations across Hillsborough County and beyond without using taxpayer funds. This distribution ranks among the largest single-day grant efforts in Lightning franchise history and launches the season-long “Strikes for Kindness” initiative.

Recipients include the 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, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and Vincentian CARES.

“Giving back to the community is fundamental to who we are as an organization,” said Elizabeth Frazier, the Lightning’s executive vice president of community development and social impact. “Strikes for Kindness allows us to begin the season by celebrating 12 outstanding nonprofits that serve Tampa Bay every day. We look forward to highlighting their work throughout the year and supporting their missions through both financial contributions and hands-on volunteer service.”

Benchmark International, a Tampa-based global mergers-and-acquisitions firm, committed to $3 million in joint community nonprofit contributions as part of its naming rights agreement for Amalie Arena.

“Our commitment to Tampa Bay goes far beyond having our name on the arena,” said Tyrus O’Neill, Benchmark International’s CEO of the Americas. “Strikes for Kindness gives us an opportunity to invest directly in organizations that are changing lives across our community. We’re proud to stand alongside the Lightning in supporting these 12 outstanding nonprofits, not only with financial resources, but by rolling up our sleeves and serving alongside them throughout the season.”

The Lightning and Benchmark International will continue the Strikes for Kindness initiative with financial contributions and volunteer service throughout the season.