Grant Opportunities for Nonprofits

Grants offered through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County are fulfilling the philanthropic legacies of our donors who have entrusted our team and board of directors with their charitable dollars.

Based on the passions and interests of those individuals and families, grant funding is provided to make the greatest impact possible to improve lives and enhance community. 

Community Impact Grants 

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.

Applications are reviewed monthly. 

Capacity Building Grants

Capacity Building Grants (up to $10,000) respond to organizational needs and are designed to help improve a nonprofit's ability to fulfill its mission.  

Applications are reviewed monthly.

Equity and Access Grants

Athena Progressive Giving Circle
2021 Grant Opportunity

The Athena Progressive Giving Circle is accepting proposals from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota and/or Manatee counties for programs working to change one or more of the underlying causes of gender-based violence.

Organizations are encouraged to propose creative programs addressing their understanding of the root causes of gender-based violence. Proposals which address gender-based violence through the lens of intersectionality, recognizing the particular environment faced by women of color, are also welcomed, and proposals which apply best practices in social change methodologies are desirable.

NOTE: Grant request cannot exceed $15,000 for one organization or $20,000 for a
partnership.

DEADLINE: Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021 to Katie Schwabach, Philanthropic Advisor: katie@cfsarasota.org

Animal Welfare Grants

Animal Welfare Grants ($10,000 - $50,000) support organizations that serve domestic animals and promote their humane care in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties

This application will open on October 5, 2021 and close on December 17, 2021. Applicants will be notified of their status by mid-February, 2022.   

Health Care Grants

The Health Care Grant cycle has been incorporated into the Equity and Access Grant cycle this year.

Read more in the link below.

Grade-Level Reading and Family Success Grants 

As part of our Empowerment & Success philosophy, we work with community partners to close the achievement gap for our most vulnerable students. Our three focus areas include improving school readiness, preventing summer learning loss, and parent success through postsecondary education and workforce training. This two-generation approach woven throughout our education investments and other initiatives aims to bring families to a place of economic stability.

Grant requests are invitation only on a rolling basis throughout the year from organizations that focus their efforts on closing the achievement gap, helping students achieve reading proficiency by 3^rd grade and/or implementing programs that are whole-family focused. Our aim is to partner with nonprofit organizations providing programs and services that align with the Community Foundation's Campaign for Grade Level Reading areas of focus. 

Strategic Partnerships 

Requests for support for events and/or public programs not meeting other grant opportunities are considered by submitting an inquiry.

These requests should represent the diversity of our region and uphold and promote activities that ensure accessibility for all. They should also bring awareness to community needs and opportunities as well as demonstrate our area’s culture of philanthropy and strive to connect people with causes.

There will be three application cycles in 2021-2022.