Current and Ongoing Programs and Projects

The programs and grant awards described below are examples of projects and programs that the Foundation is currently funding or has funded in recent years. Some of the programs are featured on separate pages and discussed in greater depth (follow the links above) in order to offer a greater understanding of the types of projects that receive Foundation funding. Examples of grant recipients are also discussed on the Pepper Foundation Grants page.

Visiting Scholar's Program: The Pepper Foundation offers grants quarterly to encourage study, in the Pepper Center, on policy areas that were advanced by Senator Pepper and also to study his life and political career. Information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the Pepper Library's Visiting Scholar's Program page
Claude Pepper Oratory Competition: An annual competition for students throughout the State of Florida. They research, prepare, and present a persuasive speech on a pre-selected topic that analyzes a public policy of particular interest to Senator Pepper. Information about the competition can be found on the Oratory Competition page.
Miami Rescue Mission (Miami, FL): A grant to support the Claude Pepper Scholarship Fund for the Nova Learning Program to educate unemployed persons, increase their self esteem and qualify them for employment. The Miami Rescue Mission is a leading provider of services to homeless men, women and children with facilities in Dade and Broward counties in Florida.
Claude Pepper Collection: From the holdings of the Pepper Library, an online collection of Senator Claude Pepper's senate career is being made possible through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant. The results from this grant will allow researchers to search the digital archive of the most frequently-used documents as well as showcase actual audio the Senatorâ€™s top speeches.
Pepper Biographical Film: Pepper Biographical Film - A project to produce an educational documentary on the life of Senator Claude Pepper. The film, entitled Eyewitness to a Century, includes interviews with Senator Pepper by Ron Goldfarb of MainStreet Productions. The film, narrated by actor Edward Asner, has been shown on television nationwide and in the auditorium to visitors of the Pepper Center.
Tallahassee-Leon County Shelter: A grant to support the Shelter's programs to provide emergency and transitional lodging and support services to the homeless. The Tallahassee-Leon County Shelter serves all segments of the homelss population with temporary overnight lodging, meals, and a variety of support services.
Editing the Diaries of Senator Pepper: A grant to support Dr. Fred Standley in his work to edit and publish the diaries of Claude Pepper. The diaries will be edited with adequate annotation to provide the reader with information about persons and events. A general introductory essay will be included.
Sculpture for the Claude Pepper Center: Prominent sculptor, Neil Estern, has been commissioned by the Pepper Foundation to create a sculpture of Claude Pepper that will greet visitors to the Pepper Center. Estern recently created the stunning bronze sculptures of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Pepper Traveling Exhibit: The exhibit, which conveys information on Senator Pepper's life and career, has been displayed at schools, libraries, museums and other locations in and outside the state of Florida. The Traveling Exhibit is available for display at appropriate venues providing at least 700 square feet of space, exhibit security and an opportunity for public viewing on weekends. The exhibit is an exciting, informative and smaller representation of the permanent exhibit which is part of the Pepper Museum at the Pepper Center on the campus of Florida State University.