Description, Funding, and Eligibility
Community Impact Grants (up to $10,000) are designed to address community needs by helping local organizations to transform innovative ideas into new programs and to expand their reach into additional populations.
Projects should demonstrate a measurable change during the grant period: i.e. developing a digital program 100 people will be able to participate remotely OR delivering services to 100 clients with a zip code in the Englewood area when that geographic region was not previously accessing services.
Funding Priorities
This program focuses on supporting organizations in the following ways:
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Planning and launching new programs and projects
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Assisting nonprofits to expand their service area and reach populations they are not currently reaching. Preference will be given to projects that support marginalized members of our community
Organizations may receive up to $10,000 through the Community Impact Grant program 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
Applications that have been submitted by the 15th of the month will be reviewed in that month’s cycle. Applicants can expect a decision on their application by the 15th of the following month.
Example: An application submitted on September 14 will be notified by October 15. An application submitted on September 20 will be notified by November 15.
Please Note: Applications will not be reviewed in December (due to the holidays) or June (due to the close of our fiscal year).
- Press Release
- Blogs
- Videos
- Testimonials
- Articles
- Podcasts / Audio Recordings
Please reference our Press Kit to help draft your message and coordinate review with Hunter Carpenter, Manager of Communications and Marketing, at hcarpenter@cfsarasota.org.
Looking for examples? Check out the Stories of Impact below shared by our Community Impact Grantees.
July 12, 2021
Learn My History Foundation - Youth Empowerment & Success
February 10, 2021
World of Chucko Receives Grant for Humor for Health Program
January 8, 2021
Learn My History Foundation Empowers Younger Generations
October 5, 2020
Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center | Remote Learning for Individuals with Vision Loss
September 28, 2020
Mothers Helping Mothers receives $10,000 grant for new cribs
September 15, 2020
Artificial reefs offer mangrove-like nursery habitat. supported by Community Impact Grant
May 14, 2020
Key Chorale receives Community Impact Grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County
November 26, 2019
Harvey Milk Festival Launches #WeSupport Campaign
November 14, 2019
GLS is expanding its life-planning service to Manatee/Sarasota counties
November 13, 2019
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Awards Community Impact Grant to JoshProvides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation
Eligibility Requirements
Press Kit for Grantees
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions - August 2021
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions - October 2021
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions - February 2022
Community Impact Grant & Capacity Building Grant Information Sessions