Annual Competitive Grants

Annual Competitive Grants is sponsored by Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay offers annual competitive grants aimed at fostering innovation in local nonprofits by targeting five key areas: Economic Opportunity, Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability, Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing, Quality Child and Youth …

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Confirm my preferences and close Annual Competitive Grants Turning Ideas Into Impact Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s annual competitive grants process is one of the best ways for us to learn about the creative ideas of our local nonprofits.

The grant submissions help us decide where to focus our discretionary grants, targeting five areas of focus: economic opportunity, environmental resiliency and sustainability, physical health and mental wellbeing, quality child and youth education, and vibrant and engaged communities.

Competitive Grant Cycle Key Dates Grant Cycle Opens: 1/8/25 Full Applications Due: 2/7/25 Final Notification: 6/6/25 Nonprofits Annual Competitive Grants Turning Ideas Into Impact Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s annual competitive grants process is one of the best ways for us to learn about the creative ideas of our local nonprofits.

The grant submissions help us decide where to focus our discretionary grants, targeting five areas of focus: Economic Opportunity, Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability, Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing, Quality Child and Youth Education, and Vibrant and Engaged Communities.

Competitive Grant Cycle Key Dates: Grant Cycle Opens: 12/1/2025 Letters of Intent Due: 1/7/2026 Letter of Intent Notification: 2/2/2026 Full Applications Due: 3/2/2026 Final Notification: 5/22/2026 2026 Information Session Recording Now Available Nonprofits that were unable to attend a live information session are encouraged to watch our one-hour recording of the Annual Competitive Grants overview.

The video provides best practices, key guidelines, and helpful insights to support your organization as you begin the application process. You can access the recording at the link below. ‍ Watch the Annual Competitive Grants 2026 Info Session ‍ ‍ ‍ Please use the sample form(s) below as a reference when preparing to submit your Letter of Intent through the grants portal.

Download the Competitive Grant Letter of Intent (LOI) 2026 Form as a Word Document here. Download the Competitive Grant Letter of Intent (LOI) 2026 Form as a PDF here.

To be eligible for the annual competitive grant competition organizations must meet the following criteria: Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Be up-to-date with Internal Revenue Service 990 tax form filings and have filed for at least one fiscal year Be serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties Be able to apply under the organization’s own tax exempt EIN Be in compliance with all requirements of previous funds awarded through Community Foundation Tampa Bay including reporting requirements *Organizations may be asked to verify their eligibility prior to receiving an award.

Focus Areas For Competitive Grants Through and with our donors, we fund organizations and projects across the nonprofit spectrum. With our discretionary grants, we target five areas of focus to help us better concentrate our impact. High quality adult education, training, and skill building that leads to employment and promotes personal and financial prosperity.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Career readiness and employment Work based learning experiences such as, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training Postsecondary training and education Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability Supporting a thriving environment that is resilient and sustainable for generations to come.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Environmental resiliency and disaster recovery Protection of natural resources Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing Access to resources that address an individual’s health and wellbeing including basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, physical, and mental health services.

This focus area has three separate categories: basic needs, mental health and trauma services, and health and wellness.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Clothing and other essential needs Emergency and transitional housing Safety, security, and legal services Transportation assistance Mental Health and Trauma Services: Substance misuse rehabilitation Community based medical clinics Diagnostic screening such as vision and hearing Educational and awareness programs Promoting healthy minds and bodies Quality Child and Youth Education Access to high-quality, affordable, personalized learning opportunities, from birth through high school.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Child and youth development Digital inclusion and digital literacy Social emotional learning Vibrant and Engaged Communities Vibrant spaces and inclusive programming for residents to enjoy, thrive, engage, and work.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Access to arts and culture for those with disabilities Arts and culture projects that addresses complex social issues Art programming in low-income communities Creating community spaces including gardens and parks Development of community art Facilitating community collaborations and conservations High quality adult education, training, and skill building that leads to employment and promotes personal and financial prosperity.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Career readiness and employment Work based learning experiences such as, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training Postsecondary training and education Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability Supporting a thriving environment that is resilient and sustainable for generations to come.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Conservation and recycling Environmental resiliency and disaster recovery Protection of natural resources Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing Access to resources that address an individual’s health and wellbeing including basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, physical, and mental health services.

This focus area has three separate categories: basic needs, mental health and trauma services, and health and wellness.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Clothing and other essential needs Emergency and transitional housing Safety, security, and legal services Transportation assistance Mental Health and Trauma Services: Substance misuse rehabilitation Community based medical clinics Diagnostic screening such as vision and hearing Educational and awareness programs Promoting healthy minds and bodies Quality Child and Youth Education Access to high-quality, affordable, personalized learning opportunities, from birth through high school.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Child and youth development Digital inclusion and digital literacy Social emotional learning Vibrant and Engaged Communities Vibrant spaces and inclusive programming for residents to enjoy, thrive, engage, and work.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Access to arts and culture for those with disabilities Arts and culture projects that addresses complex social issues Art programming in low-income communities Creating community spaces including gardens and parks Development of community art Facilitating community collaborations and conversations Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing Quality Child and Youth Education Vibrant and Engaged Communities High quality adult education, training, and skill building that leads to employment and promotes personal and financial prosperity.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Career readiness and employment Work based learning experiences such as, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training Postsecondary training and education Supporting a thriving environment that is resilient and sustainable for generations to come.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Conservation and recycling Environmental resiliency and disaster recovery Protection of natural resources Access to resources that address an individual’s health and wellbeing including basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, physical, and mental health services.

This focus area has three separate categories: basic needs, mental health and trauma services, and health and wellness.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Clothing and other essential needs Emergency and transitional housing Safety, security, and legal services Transportation assistance Mental Health and Trauma Services: Substance misuse rehabilitation Community based medical clinics Diagnostic screening such as vision and hearing Educational and awareness programs Promoting healthy minds and bodies Access to high-quality, affordable, personalized learning opportunities, from birth through high school.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Child and youth development Digital inclusion and digital literacy Social emotional learning Vibrant spaces and inclusive programming for residents to enjoy, thrive, engage, and work.

Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to: Access to arts and culture for those with disabilities Arts and culture projects that addresses complex social issues Art programming in low-income communities Creating community spaces including gardens and parks Development of community art Facilitating community collaborations and conversations How Competitive Grants Work Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s competitive grants process has two stages: letter of intent and full application.

During the specified timeframe, eligible nonprofits may submit a letter of intent (LOI) to outline a funding need. We will then review the LOIs and invite several to proceed to a full application. After you submit your LOI, you will be notified by email if you are invited to move to the next step, which is a full application.

The full application and all subsequent steps are submitted through the same online grant portal. If your letter of intent is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle. If awarded, you will then need to complete a grant acceptance agreement, and your grant check will be mailed.

If your full application is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle. Acknowledgment and Reporting My organization provides programming in the Tampa Bay area but is headquartered elsewhere. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes. As long as your organization’s programming directly serves residents in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and/or Citrus counties, you are eligible to compete for a grant. Can new or emerging nonprofits apply for a grant through the Competitive Grants process?

To be eligible, organizations must be legally established as a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status and have filed an IRS Form 990 at least once. What kinds of projects receive competitive grants funding? View Previous Grants Awarded for examples of proposals that have received funding in the past.

What types of projects or expenses are not funded through the Competitive Grants process?

Competitive grants generally do not fund: General operating and administrative costs: costs associated with executing the proposed project are acceptable, but general operating funds for the organization will not be considered for funding Individuals : academic scholarships, rent, utilities, or other direct personal support Buildings/renovations : capital campaigns, building construction, or major renovations Fundraising : annual appeals, fundraising events, membership contributions Research: medical or scientific research Politics : political campaigns or direct lobbying Religion : programs that are sectarian in nature or primarily for religious purposes Does the Community Foundation fund vehicles or equipment purchases?

Yes, if they directly support program delivery (e.g., a refrigerator needed for a culinary arts program). Can grant funds support staff salaries? Yes.

Grants may support salaries if the position is directly tied to the project proposed for funding. Be sure to describe the role’s impact and provide data showing the need. How much funding can my organization request?

Organizations may request up to 30% of their most recently completed fiscal year’s total revenue , as reported on IRS Form 990. In the last grant cycle, awards ranged from $5,000 to $55,000 . The average grant award was $28,700 .

What is the typical grant amount? In the last grant cycle, awards ranged from $5,000 to $55,000. The average grant award was $28,700.

How competitive is the process? In a typical competitive grant cycle about 1 in 5 Letters of Intent (LOIs) receive funding. Of those invited to submit a full application, about 1/2 are funded.

Can a grant be used to cover only a portion of the project budget? Yes. The grant can supplement other funding sources.

Who should I count as “number served” in the LOI? Estimate the number of individuals who will directly benefit from your project. In some cases, this may include both participants (e.g., students) and audiences (e.g., attendees at free events).

Use your best judgment based on meaningful impact. What type of reporting is required? Grantees must submit a final report within one year of receiving funds.

The report includes: Demographic information for those served Measurement metrics for the project A final budget showing how funds were spent Are interim reports required? No, only a final report is required. Do you give preference to previous applicants?

There is no preference given to previous applicants. Are applicants permitted to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the development of grant Letters of Intent (LOIs) and full applications? Yes.

Applicants may use generative AI tools when preparing LOIs and full applications. However, applicants remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all submitted content.

AI may be used to assist with drafting, formatting, summarizing, or clarifying information, but all AI-generated text must be carefully reviewed to ensure it is accurate, verifiable, and reflective of the applicant organization’s actual work and intentions.

While nonprofits provide services to those most in need within our community, many are often under-resourced, and a single unexpected event can dramatically impact their ability to provide crucial services.

To address these unexpected needs, Community Foundation Tampa Bay has created the Critical Needs List for nonprofits to share those urgent, unexpected needs with community philanthropists, separate from the Competitive Grants, as an additional path for funding support. Suite 700 Tampa, FL 33607 ‍ St. Petersburg, FL 33701 News Brand Toolkit Board Portal Councils Portal Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases.

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