About The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation

For over 30 years, The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation has reached out into the hearts of the community, bringing it not only an awareness of the financial needs and revolutionary accomplishments of The Arc Tampa Bay, but also ways to get involved to make a difference in the lives of people who are dealing with a lifetime of personal challenges.

Who We Are

Formed To Serve Others

The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was created in 1981 and incorporated in 1982, under the capable leadership of Dr. William E. Hale, a local geriatric physician and philanthropist. The Foundation’s mission is to help secure the financial future of The Arc Tampa Bay by fostering community awareness, involvement and financial support.

The Arc Tampa Bay is recognized internationally for its innovative and rehabilitative programs for the developmentally disabled. For more information about its services or service locations, please visit the The Arc Tampa Bay site.

At The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation we have tremendous passion for the mission of The Arc Tampa Bay and for our role in helping to fulfill that mission. We are dedicated to creating a strong financial foundation for The Arc Tampa Bay and a well-informed base of community support that will advocate on The Arc Tampa Bay’s behalf. We strive to educate the community at large about the critical needs of our consumers and the outstanding organization, The Arc Tampa Bay, which works so hard to meet these needs.

We are governed and managed by a community Board of Trustees. Over twenty five citizens donate their time and expertise to guide and direct the staff and activities of the Foundation to achieve our mission objectives. Our leadership volunteers commit to a two year term of service during which they are available to provide not only personal financial support, but also opportunities for others to learn about The Arc Tampa Bay in an effort to involve them in our work to help secure the future for The Arc Tampa Bay.

Serving Tampa Bay Since 1982

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Providing Support
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Funds to Agency in 2022
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Residential Group Homes
Our History

Today The Arc Tampa Bay is the largest member of The Florida Arc, with a mission to support and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the dream of six families who came together in 1962 to provide a better life for their children has grown to serve hundreds of individuals and their families.

In 1982, Dr. William E. Hale, The Arc Tampa Bay’s Founder, formed The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation, Inc. as an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation to ensure The Arc Tampa Bay’s financial stability and ongoing sustainability. The Arc Tampa Bay had been in operation for twenty years and had experienced expansive growth but the demand for services outweighed the funding resources. By the 1990’s, with the Foundation’s support, The Arc Tampa Bay moved to its new location in the Long Center in Clearwater and its residential program had grown to 31 Group Homes throughout the service area.

Within ten years at the Long Center difficult financial challenges were facing The Arc Tampa Bay, its clients and their families. In 2003 its budget was almost $16 million with 80 percent of the funding coming from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the balance raised by The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation through fundraising and bequests. Each successive year has gotten more difficult with declining resources of nearly $500,000 per year less than the last. In 2014 The Arc Tampa Bay’s budget is hovering around $10 million.

Cutting programs as demands increase, especially with an aging client population, has had a major impact on the care delivered to those with developmental disabilities. It was this anticipated impact on services that Dr. Hale hoped to avoid. That is why he insisted we plan for and invest in the future through the Foundation. We are fiercely proud of the past 50 years of service, achievement and excellence that The Arc Tampa Bay has provided to those with developmental disabilities and their families. We continue to honor the legacy of our founder and follow his lead in passionately inspiring friends, community leaders and the community to partner with us in supporting The Arc Tampa Bay. Together, Dr. Hale’s legacy will never be forgotten.

Dr. William E. Hale, Founder

Beth Tasis

Executive Director

Beth joined The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation as Executive Director in January of 2023. She comes with long history of advocating for individuals with I/DD through her 23-years of service at The Arc Tampa Bay. Beth most recently served as the agency’s Associate Executive Director of People and Partnerships, where she fostered mutually beneficial collaboration between the agency and community stakeholders to positively impact the lives of the individuals the agency serves. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership and she is currently enrolled in the Juris Master program at the Florida State University College of Law.

Request a Speaker

Would your civic organization or business like to learn more about how they can make a difference by supporting The Arc Tampa Bay Foundation?  Contact us today to request a speaker.

Request a Tour

Want to come visit our programs and learn about the ways The Arc Tampa Bay provides support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Contact us today to request a tour!