Florida Grant Resources

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State laws around our country can be a little strange, but did you know that in Florida, there’s a traffic law regulating elephants and their use of parking meters? Seriously!

There are many more unusual rules and regulations in life, and sometimes we need a little help managing a complicated system. Applying for grants? That can be complicated too, but we can help! Attend our Grantsmanship Training Program and you’ll be designing and writing powerful grant proposals over a 5-day workshop, while at the same time learning the skills and strategies you need to locate the most promising funders for your organization.

Want to start looking for those funders right away? Look below and check out our list of foundation, community, corporate and government grantmakers in Florida that contribute in your particular area.

In addition, we’ve included three essential steps for writing effective proposals below. Just click on “Read More” and explore!

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FLORIDA FUNDING SOURCES
FLORIDA RESOURCES & TOOLS

Government offices:

Governor Ron DiSantis - (850) 488-7146, Tallahassee

Senator Rick Scott - (202) 224-5274, Washington, DC

Senator Marco Rubio - (202) 224-2235 Washington, DC

Attorney General Ashley B. Moody - (866) 966-7226, Tallahassee

Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. - The agency offers Grant Applications and Grant Management Support to schools.

Florida Division of Cultural Affairs - The Division provides funding, programs and resources including grants for: arts in education, local arts agencies, state service organizations, museums, theater, dance, folks arts, literature, media arts, multidisciplinary, music, sponsor/presenter, and visual arts programs and projects.

Volunteer Florida - VF is the lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering $31.7 million in federal, state and local funding for national service (e.g. AmeriCorps & Senior Corps) and volunteer programs across the state. Grantees include schools, educational foundations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations. Need a few volunteers or a grant application? Click on the link above and give them a call.

If you’d like to know the names and addresses of other elected officials that represent you and your area, click here to locate them: Florida Division of Elections.

 

Helpful organizations:

The Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Rollins College - The Edyth Bush Institute was established to strengthen the impact, effectiveness, and leadership of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations through education and management assistance for nonprofit training, certificates, and custom programs.

Florida Nonprofit Alliance - Established in 2012, Florida Nonprofit Alliance serves as the state's nonprofit sector's unified voice, advocate, and connector. 

Fractured Atlas Arts Funding - Provides Fiscal Sponsorship support to individual artists and arts organizations in the areas of performance, visual arts, literature, design, media, and everything in between. Florida members include the Florida Dance Conservatory, Florida Aerial Dance & Circus Arts, and ARTSail in Southern Florida.

 

Community Foundations:

Looking for a grant-making organization that knows your community as well as you do? Click on the individual foundation links below or on the list of foundation links on the Florida Community Foundations page to find the local foundation near you. Each foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization created by and for the people of a particular area to support the vital work of nonprofits and schools in communities throughout the state.

Community Foundation for Brevard - Based in Melbourne, CFB supports communities within the cities of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Titusville and West Melbourne.

Community Foundation of Broward - Based in Ft. Lauderdale, the Foundation also supports the cities of Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke, Plantation, Sunrise and West Park.

Cape Coral Community Foundation - Based in the city of Cape Coral, the Foundation serves other communities within Lee County as well. Also known  as The Global Center for Generosity, CCCF remains focused on identifying solutions to the community’s most critical issues: equality, quality of life, health and education – while expanding its reach to national and international partners who can help the Foundation expand its mission.

Celebration Foundation serves the community of Celebration and nearby areas in Osceola County with support for housing and cultural enrichment of vulnerable seniors, a Women’s Initiative to support girls and young women, and a neighborhood concert series.

Central Florida Foundation - Based in Orlando, CFF serves nonprofit organizations and philanthropists in Lake, Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties, which includes the cities of Apopka, Bay Lake (home of Walt Disney World Parks!), Claremont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Kissimmee, Ocoee, Orlando, St. Cloud, Sanford, Winter Garden and Winter Park.

Charlotte Community Foundation - Based in the city of Punta Gorda in Sarasota County, other cities served include Charlotte, Cleveland, Englewood, North Port, Port Charlotte and Venice.

Community Foundation of Collier County - Based in Naples, CFCC also serves the cities of Everglades City and Marco Island in Collier County.

Coral Gables Community Foundation - Located in Miami-Dade County and established in September 1991 by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, through its discretionary, donor-advised, and scholarship funds has helped youth, elderly, and disabled, and has provided dental care for needy children, sponsored cultural activities, awarded academic, dance, and music scholarships, and offered seminars to educate the public on important health, finance, and estate-planning issues, awarding over $7 million to worthy causes.

Community Foundation of East Central Florida - Based in the city of Deland, the Foundation also serves Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties, which include the cities of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Melbourne, Merritt Island and New Smyrna Beach.

GiveWell Community Foundation - Based in Lakeland, GWCF serves communities within Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties, including the cities of Auburndale, Avon Park, Bartow, Bowling Green, Davenport, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Mulberry, Polk City, Sebring, Wauchula and Winter Haven. The Foundation holds more than 280 charitable funds established by individuals, families, organizations, and private foundations and serves a wide variety of charitable services.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation - Based in Venice and also serving the cities of North Port and Sarasota, the Foundation was created in 1995 with proceeds from the sale of The Venice Hospital. Today, GCCF is the philanthropic home of more than 750 families who have created their own charitable funds there, and together with the Foundation have invested over $270 million in grants in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment.

Health Foundation of South Florida - The mission of HFSF is to invest in and be a catalyst for collaborations, policy and systems change that improves the health of South Florida communities, with a focus on vulnerable, low to moderate-income populations. Established in 1993, the nonprofit foundation has awarded over $125 million to nonprofits providing programs and services in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Miami-Dade County cities include Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Florida City, Golden Beach, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Homestead, Indian Creek, Key Biscayne, Medley, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens and West Miami.

Monroe County cities served include Key West, Key Colony Beach, Layton and Marathon. Broward County cities include Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke, Plantation, Sunrise and West Park.

Indian River Community Foundation - Since its establishment in 2008, the Foundation has collected more than $100 million in charitable contributions, and together with its clients, has distributed more than $50 million in grants to charities locally and around the world. IRCF is located in Vero Beach.

Key Biscayne Community Foundation - Located in Key Biscayne, the Foundation’s goal is to provide lasting impact in local and off-island communities through the funding, implementation, and support of evidence-based programming, and by supporting the efforts of local nonprofit organizations that provide services to children and families at risk in low-income communities.

Manatee Community Foundation - Based in Bradenton, the Foundation is a supporting organization to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. It also serves the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, North Port, Palmetto and Venice  within Manatee County.

Community Foundation Martin - St. Lucie - Based in Stuart, the Foundation has supported hundreds of charitable organizations with missions ranging from child welfare to public art, reflecting the varied interests and humanitarian concerns of individual donors.

Miami Foundation - Based in Miami and serves the greater Miami-Dade County area, including the adjacent cities of Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Florida City, Hialeah Gardens, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami Beach, North Miami, Opa-locka, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Sweetwater and West Miami. The Foundation has partnered with individuals, families and corporations to create more than 1,000 personalized, philanthropic funds. Thanks to them and their generosity, the Foundation has awarded over almost $300 million in grants over the course of its history. Currently, the Foundation manages more than $360 million in funds.

Mount Dora Community Trust - Established in 1972, the Trust is a tax-exempt charitable organization created to provide the Mount Dora community with funding for public educational, charitable, or benevolent projects and purposes. Its mission is to provide outreach programs to schools, charities, and civic causes through the generous actions and financial support of Mount Dora residents and businesses committed to promoting the community’s unity and prosperity.

Community Foundation of North Florida - Based in the city of Tallahassee, the Foundation also serves cities and communities in Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla Counties.

Community Foundation of North Central Florida - Based in Gainesville, CFNCF also serves the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union, which includes the cities of Lake City, Live Oak, Ocala and Palatka.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida - Founded in 1964 in Jacksonville, it is the oldest and largest (by asset size) Community Foundation in the state, serving areas in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, with an emphasis on Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, Clay and Putnam counties. Cities include Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Mayport, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Flagler Beach, Marineland, Palatka and Palm Coast.

Community Foundation of Northwest Florida - Based in the city of Pensacola, the Foundation also serves cities and communities in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Washington, Holmes and Calhoun Counties.

Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County - Based in Ocala, the Foundation also serves residents in the cities of Belleview and Dunnellon.

Ocean Reef Community Foundation - Located in Key Largo, the Foundation’s mission is to encourage and administer effective philanthropy by the Ocean Reef Community, supporting charitable efforts throughout Ocean Reef and the surrounding area.

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties - Based in West Palm Beach, the Foundation also serves nonprofit organizations and philanthropists in the cities and towns of Jupiter Island, Ocean Breeze, Sewall's Point and Stuart.

Pinellas Community Foundation - Based in Clearwater and serving Pinellas County for nearly a half-century, more than 130 charitable agencies rely on generous donor-funded grants distributed annually by the Foundation. Cities in its service area include: Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, and Treasure Island.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County - Based in the city of Sarasota, the Foundation also serves cities and communities throughout the counties of Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto.

Community Foundation of South Lake County - Based in the city of Clermont, the Foundation also serves communities within the Hospital Tax District, including Ferndale, Groveland, Mascotte, Minneola, Stuckey, and Montverde.

Southwest Florida Community Foundation (Collaboratory) - Based in Ft. Meyers, Collaboratory is dedicated to building a more vibrant community that will continually address the evolving community needs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, which includes the cities of Clewiston, LaBelle, Moore Haven, Naples, Okeechobee and Port Charlotte.

Sumter Sunshine Community Foundation - Based in Leesburg of Sumter County and serving the additional cities of Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Webster and Wildwood, SSCF funds support projects designed for Veterans, Seniors, Animal Welfare, Youth, Families, Disaster Relief, Homelessness, Health, Environment, Education, Fine Arts & Humanities and Scholarships.

Community Foundation of Tampa Bay - Based in the city of Tampa, the Foundation serves residents in the counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando, which include the cities of Brooksville, Dade, New Port Richey, San Antonio, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee and Zephyrhills.

 

AFP Florida Chapters:

Through networking, research, advocacy, and professional education, the Association of Fundraising Professionals equips organizations with the tools to engage in ethical fundraising. On the local level, each AFP Chapter is designed to support experienced fundraisers, newcomers to the field and everyone in between by offering training workshops, mentoring, webinars, networking and scholarships to more than 1,500 members state-wide. Find your local AFP Chapter using the links below:

AFP Greater Florida Caucus - The Caucus is a coalition of the 16 AFP Greater Florida Chapters listed below and the Puerto Rico Chapter, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. 

AFP Big Bend Chapter - Serves fundraisers in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties, which includes the cities of  Apalachicola, Bristol, Crawfordville, Greenville, Monticello, Perry, Quincy and Tallahassee.

AFP Central Florida Chapter - Serves fundraisers in Lake, Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties, which includes the cities of Apopka, Bay Lake (home of Walt Disney World Parks!), Claremont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Kissimmee, Ocoee, Orlando, St. Cloud, Sanford, Winter Garden and Winter Park.

AFP Collier-Lee Chapter - Serves fundraisers in the cities of Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Everglades City, Fort Myers, Marcos Island and Naples.

AFP First Coast Chapter - Based in Jacksonville and serves fundraisers throughout Duval County, including the cities of  Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach.

AFP Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Chapter - Based in Fort Lauderdale, also serves fundraisers in the cities of Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke, Plantation, Sunrise and West Park.

AFP Greater Polk County Chapter - Serves fundraisers in the cities of Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland, Lake Wales, Mulberry, Polk City and Winter Haven.

AFP Indian River Chapter - Based in Vero Beach and also serving fundraising professionals in Fellsmere and Sebastian. AFPIR proudly partners with The Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation to present the Pierpont-Welde Affiliate Library Collection.  This valuable collection includes selected works on fundraising and philanthropy representing the fundamental knowledge base of the profession, and is located onsite at the AFPIR Chapter offices.

AFP Miami Dade Chapter - Based in Miami and also serving fundraising professionals in cities throughout the Miami-Dade County area, including Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Florida City, Hialeah Gardens, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami Beach, North Miami, Opa-locka, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Sweetwater and West Miami.

AFP Palm Beach County Chapter - Serving the cities of Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Hypoluxo, Jupiter, Lake Worth, Lantana, Pahokee, Palm Springs, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay and Wellington.

Puerto Rico Chapter - Serving the cities of San Juan, Aguadilla, Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, Carolina, Cayey, Fajardo, Guaynabo, Mayagüez and Ponce.

Southwest Florida Chapter - Based in Sarasota and serving fundraising professionals throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, including the cities and communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Bradenton, Holmes Beach, Palmetto, North Port and Venice.

Space Coast Chapter - Based in the city of Rockledge and also serving fundraising professionals in cities and communities throughout Brevard County, including Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Titusville and West Melbourne.

AFP Tampa Bay Chapter - Based in St. Petersburg and also serving fundraising professionals in cities and communities throughout Pinellas County, including Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Madeira Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, St. Pete Beach, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, and Treasure Island. The Tampa Bay Chapter also serves Hillborough, Pasco, Polk, and Hernando counties.

Treasure Coast Chapter - Based in the city of Stuart and serving fundraising professionals throughout Martin County.

AFP Volusia/Flagler Chapter - Serves professionals in these two counties on the east coast of the state, including the cities of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Debary, Deland, Deltona, Edgewater, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Orange City, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and South Daytona.

West Florida Chapter - Based in Pensacola and serving fundraising professionals in cities and communities throughout Escambia County, including Barrineau Park, Barth, Bellview, Beulah, Bluff Springs, Bogia, Bratt, Brent, Brownsville, Cantonment, Ensley, Ferry Pass, Gonzalez, Goulding, Innerarity Point, McDavid, Molino, Myrtle Grove, Oak Grove, Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key, Pleasant Grove, Walnut Hill, Warrington and West Pensacola.

 

United Ways of Florida:

Here’s an interesting question: Which organizations know the specific needs of local neighborhoods from the inside out, and also provide grants and volunteers to address them? United Way Chapters! All United Way organizations around the United States are dedicated to supporting projects within the four main areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability and Disaster Recovery of Individuals. While they share this common focus, each UW chapter -- and each one in Florida -- also provides funding and support for programs customized to the needs of its local area. To find out more about the United Way Chapters in Florida and their resources and nonprofit funding opportunities, please click on the links below:

United Way of Florida - Exists to serve Florida’s 31 local United Ways by supporting them in their training, public policy, disaster, and grant-making efforts.

United Way of the Big Bend - Based in the city of Tallahassee, Leon County, and serving the nearby counties of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla.

United Way of Brevard County - Cities of Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Grant – Valkaria, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Satellite Beach and West Melbourne.

United Way of Broward County - Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, also serves the cities of Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke, Plantation, Sunrise and West Park.

United Way of Central Florida  - Based in Highland City and Lakeland in Polk County.

United Way of Charlotte County - Based in the city of Port Charlotte, Charlotte County.

United Way of Citrus County - Based in the city of Crystal River, Citrus County.

United Way of Collier County - Based in the city of Naples, Collier County.

United Way of Escambia County - Based in the city of Pensacola, Escambia County.

United Way of the Florida Keys - Based in the city of Islamorada and also serving Key West in Monroe County.

Heart of Florida United Way - Based in Orlando, HFUW also serves in Lake, Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties, which includes the cities of Apopka, Bay Lake (home of Walt Disney World Parks!), Claremont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Kissimmee, Ocoee, Orlando, St. Cloud, Sanford, Winter Garden and Winter Park.

United Way of Hernando County - Based in the city of Spring Hill and also serving communities in the cities of Brooksville and Weeki Wachee.

United Way of Indian River County - Based in the city of Vero Beach, Indian River County.

United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties - Based in the city of Leesburg, UWLSC also serves communities in the cities of  Bushnell, Center Hill, Clermont, Coleman, Eustis, Mount Dora, Webster and Wildwood.

United Way of Lee, Glades, & Hendry Counties - Based in the city of Fort Myers, UWLGHC also serves communities in the cities of Clewiston, LaBelle, and Moore Haven.

United Way of Marion County - Based in the city of Ocala, UWMC also serves residents in the cities of Belleview and Dunnellon.

United Way of Martin County - Based in the city of Stuart, Martin County.

United Way of Miami-Dade - UWMD is based in the city of Miami and also serves the cities of Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Florida City, Hialeah Gardens, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami Beach, North Miami, Opa-locka, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Sweetwater and West Miami. In addition to the four main UW programs, UWMD also offers considerable meeting space to local community organizations.

United Way of North Central Florida - City of Gainesville, Alachua County.

United Way of Northeast Florida - City of Jacksonville, Baker County.

United Way of Northwest Florida - Based in Panama City and serving the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington.

United Way Emerald Coast - Based in the city of Ft. Walton Beach, UWEC servces Okaloosa & Walton Counties. UWEC also serves the cities of DeFuniak Springs, Destin and Freeport.

United Way of Palm Beach County - Based in the city of Boynton Beach, UWPBC also serves the cities of Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth, Pahokee, Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach, South Bay, West Palm Beach, and Westlake.

United Way of Pasco County - Based in the city of Port Richey,  UWPC also provides services in the cities of Dade City, New Port Richey, San Antonio and Zephyrhills.

United Way of Santa Rosa County - Based in the city of Milton and also serving communities in the city of Gulf Breeze.

United Way of South Sarasota County - Based in the city of Venice, UWSSC provides grant-funding and services to communities in the cities of Englewood, Laurel, Nokomis, North Port and Osprey.

United Way of St. Johns County - Based in the city of St. Augustine and also serving communities in the city of St. Augustine Beach.

United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee  - Based in the city of Ft. Pierce and also serving communities in the city of  Port St. Lucie.

United Way Suncoast - With offices in Tampa and Sarasota, UWS also serves communities in Manatee, Tampa Bay and surrounding areas.

United Way of Suwannee Valley - Based in Lake City in Columbia County.

United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties - Based in Daytona Beach, UWVFC serves communities in these two counties on the east coast of the state, including the cities of Daytona Beach Shores, Debary, Deland, Deltona, Edgewater, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Orange City, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and South Daytona.

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