Funding Priorities
Grants focus on increasing an organization's capacity in the following ways:
- Fundraising: purchasing a donor database or other CRM tool, hiring a fundraising consultant, or developing online giving
- Leadership: board development, professional development, or strategic planning
- Communication: website redevelopment or communications plan development
- Evaluation: impact measurement or program tracking
- Emergency Needs: unexpected expenses for which an organization was unable to prepare
When proposing work with a consultant, most requests will be considered at 50% of the consultant’s fee.
Organizations may receive up to $10,000 through this grant cycle within a 365-day period.
In order to receive a grant through this program, organizations must also have:
- An IRS Letter of Determination that shows the organization is a 501(c)3 public charity
- At least one current program with local impact in one of the following counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto
- An approved/current profile in The Giving Partner, a powerful, searchable online database with over 700 profiles of charitable organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties
Eligibility
Review Process
Application reviews begin September 1, December 1, and February 1. Applicants who have submitted an application prior to these dates will be notified of their status by the end of the month.
If your request is extremely time-sensitive, please email us details at impact@cfsarasota.org and one of our team members will get in touch.
Learn More
Please join us for an information session for Capacity Building Grants at one of the following times:
- Press Release
- Blogs
- Videos
- Testimonials
- Articles
- Podcasts / Audio Recordings
Please reference our Press Kit to help draft your message and coordinate review with Rebecca Abrahamson, Senior Manager of Communications and Marketing, at rabrahamson@cfsarasota.org.
Looking for examples? Check out the Stories of Impact below shared by our Community Impact Grantees.
June 27, 2023
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards $120,000 to Area Nonprofits
June 27, 2023
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards nearly $150,000 to Alzheimer's and dementia awareness and support groups
June 22, 2023
Musical Motion Gives Parents a Village of Support, and Children a Place that Fosters Early Learning and Development, Thanks to The Community Foundation of Sarasota County
June 21, 2023
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards Nearly $1 Million for Hurricane Recovery Efforts
June 20, 2023
A New Mural in the Rosemary District Pays Homage to Leonard Reid, One of Sarasota's Most Important Black Leaders
June 8, 2023
Samaritan Counseling Services Awarded $25,000 Grant to Support Mental Health Efforts
June 5, 2023
Summer Programs Supply Vital Safety Nets for Area Families
December 15, 2021
Van Wezel Foundation Awarded Grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County
July 12, 2021
Learn My History Foundation - Youth Empowerment & Success
February 10, 2021