Broward Non-Profit Organization of the Year, finalist
“FLIPANY’s work is not done until everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life.” -Lynne
Meet Lynne
The purpose and passion at FLIPANY are directly linked to our founder, Lynne Kunins, who was determined to help others based on her own story of overcoming addiction, poverty, hunger, and attempted suicide with physical fitness and enhanced nutrition.
Lynne is an entrepreneur who has had a number of businesses, including a commercial cleaning company and another where she taught team-building activities in the great outdoors to corporate executives. Her work leading activities for the children of incarcerated parents inspired her to found FLIPANY. She felt such a strong connection to these kids that she promised to find a way to sustain and expand the program.
Lynne founded FLIPANY in 2005 (Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth) and started writing grant proposals. It was a struggle in the early days, working alone and learning the hard way. Lynne’s first hire was a registered dietitian—a commitment to ensuring program quality—and in the first year of operations she hosted the first Annual FLIPANY Fun Run, became the designated Florida Partner for Cooking Matters food skills education programs, and managed an operating budget of $106,000. By the end of 2020, FLIPANY had partnered with over 450 South Florida meal distribution locations to deliver over 2 million healthy meals.
20 years later, since its founding in 2005, FLIPANY operates a budget of over 7 million dollars with a team of 34 full time staff and management team.
FLIPANY Showcased on PBS South Florida
FLIPANY: A Legacy of Growth, Impact, and Innovation
Founded in 2005 by Lynne Kunins, who was inspired to create the organization after the loss of funding for an Open Gym program supporting children of incarcerated parents.
By 2006, the organization had partnered with Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry as Florida’s Lead Partner for the Cooking Matters® program, empowering families with critical food skills and nutrition education. That same year, FLIPANY launched its first 5K Fun Run/Walk.
By 2012, FLIPANY sharpened its focus on food access, becoming an Unaffilated Food Sponsor for the federal Child Nutrition Program. This transition allowed the organization to provide high-quality ameals to afterschool programs while streamlining operations and procedures.
Over the next decade, FLIPANY expanded its programming with initiatives like Soccer for Success, Earn-a-Bike, Worksite Wellness programs, and the Annual Spring Break Adventure Mountain Bike Camp, blending physical activity with mentorship.
2019/2020- FLIPANY’s expertise in food security positioned it as South Florida’s leading Emergency Food Assistance Provider during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing thousands of meals within days of the crisis. FLIPANY secures a HHS Youth Engagement in Sports Grant.
Between 2021 and 2023, FLIPANY entered a period of growth and innovation. The organization secured more federal grants, including USDA Farm to School and Urban Agriculture Innovation, expanding nutrition-focused education in schools.
A USDA Community Food Project Grant in 2023 enabled FLIPANY to develop sustainable food solutions in Palm Beach County, while the launch of the Healthy Seniors Congregate Meals and Education program provided over 75,000 congregate meals to low-income seniors.
In 2024, FLIPANY launched the AmeriCorps Healthy Futures program, that will bring 33 AmeriCorps members to support youth mentorship, community nutrition education, and food security efforts. FLIPANY's annual budget grows to over $7 million, with a full-time staff of 34.
By the year’s end, FLIPANY served over 1.7 million meals, engaged more than 4,000 youth in nutrition education and physical activity programs, and touched over 40,000 individuals through its services.
Leveraging over $4 million in state and federal funding, FLIPANY has become the largest unaffiliated Tier III food sponsor in Florida, supporting 98% of all sites in South Florida and 73% of sites statewide.
Milestones
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2012
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2013
Jim Moran Institute For Global Entrepreneurship Award
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2014
Rising Star Award from the Florida Department of Agriculture
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2015
Lynne Kunins attends Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Celebration at the White House in recognition of FLIPANY’s Healthy Cities Campaign
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2016
Excellence in Healthcare Award for Wellness/Lifestyle Programs from Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
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2017
Turnip the Beet! High Quality Summer Meals Gold Level Award for improving nutrition and quality in summer meals program from U.S. Department of Agriculture (Consecutive years, 2017-2018-2019. Award closed in 2020.)
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2020
The Children’s Trust Program of the Year winner
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2021
Knowledge for Impact Award to Lynne Kunins, Wharton School of Business Executive Education Program
Image Gallery
Other Recognition
Guidestar; Charity Navigator scoring 100% 3rd party evaluation Nonprofits First Excellence award, 5th consecutive year Nonprofit Executive Alliance of Broward member and Board member
