Community Impact Grants

Community Impact Grants is sponsored by Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Supports nonprofits that help families and households achieve lasting economic stability and mobility, with a focus on workforce development and economic mobility.

**Every One Can Make a Difference** * Create a Charitable Fund * Join the Legacy Society * Establish or Participate in a Giving Circle * Consult With Your Professional Advisor * Find Inspiration Through Donor Stories * Donate Through Your Private Foundation * Research Nonprofits and Volunteer Opportunities * Understand Community Needs and Data **Our Services for Professional Advisors** * Charitable Giving Options * Financial Advisor Program * Distinguished Speaker Series **Our Support for Nonprofits** * Workshops and Trainings * Research Community Needs and Data **Scholarship Opportunities** * Scholarships for Students Under 24 Years of Age * Scholarships for Students 24 Years of Age or Older * Tools and Resources for Scholarship Planning * Become a Scholarship Committee Volunteer * Community Knowledge and Impact _Community Knowledge and Impact Overview:_ Community Tools and Reports Community Indicators Dashboard * Emergency Needs & Disaster Relief * Scholarship Opportunities * Cultural Development & The Arts * Building Support & Capacity * 2Gen (two-generational) Approach * “EdExploreSRQ” Student Learning * Education and Career Scholarships * Season of Sharing Donation Campaign * Strauss Literacy Initiative * Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund * Campaign for Grade-Level Reading * History of Community Impact * Our Strategic Framework * Audited Financials and Tax Returns * Our Benefits and Culture # Community Impact Grants To support nonprofits that help families, children and households achieve lasting economic stability and mobility.

* **Description, Funding, Eligibility** * **Apply& Review Process** * **Information Sessions** * **Share Story of Impact** ## [](https://www. cfsarasota.

org/Community-Impact-Grants)Description, Funding, and Eligibility **_Nonprofit Program Support | Grounded in the 2Gen Philosophy_** Community Impact Grants are designed to support nonprofits that help individuals, families and households achieve lasting wellbeing and economic mobility, and reflect the foundations’ areas of impact: * Empowerment and Success Grant requests should not exceed $25,000.

Please note that the average grant award is approximately $15,000. **Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate how their programs remove barriers for populations facing systemic challenges within our community**, including but not limited to economic, geographic, identity, age, education, ability, and racial inequities.

Rooted in our 2Gen (two-generation) philosophy, priority will be given to applications that support strategies that intentionally support both children and the adults in their lives. To be eligible for a grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, an organization must 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 more than 750 profiles of charitable organizations serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties. * No outstanding grant reports to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Our funding priorities align with insights from our Community Indicators Dashboard, a curated collection of community metrics providing key information and data to drive investments that strengthen our community. We invite applications from organizations that are removing barriers and expanding access for underserved populations and individuals who face obstacles to opportunity in one or more of the impact areas below.

## Community Indicators Dashboard ## Focus Areas for Impact The Community Foundation supports programs and partnerships that respond to community needs. Priority is given to programs that increase access to essential services and strengthen community well-being. * **Health** – Improving access to healthcare for populations that experience barriers to care.

* **Mental and Behavioral Health** – Expanding access to therapy, counseling, peer support, crisis intervention, and other behavioral health services. * **Providing Stability** – Helping individuals and families access housing, supportive services, and basic needs. * **Food Insecurity** – Increasing access to nutritious food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

* **Placemaking** – Strengthening neighborhoods and fostering connections that help individuals and families thrive. *If your proposal is focused on the environment, animal welfare or disaster recovery and resilience, it will be better aligned with another initiative, follow the link or email: impact@cfsarasota. org for more information.

#### **Empowerment and Success** The Community Foundation of Sarasota County supports programs that help individuals build the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive while increasing economic mobility and resilience. * **Developing Community Networks** – Building relationships and support systems that connect individuals with resources and opportunities.

* **Youth Leadership** – Preparing young people for future success through leadership development, entrepreneurship, career exploration, and life skills. * **Workforce Development and Economic Mobility** – Helping individuals gain the skills needed to secure quality employment and achieve financial stability.

*If your program primarily focuses on youth education or postsecondary pathways for parents, your request may be better suited for our education initiative. Please email: impact@cfsarasota. org #### **Belonging and Culture** The Community Foundation supports organizations and programs that strengthen families, bridge generations, foster community connections, and expand access to culture and the arts.

* **Strengthening Family Connections** – Supporting programs that help families build healthy relationships and long-term stability. * **Bridging Generations** – Creating opportunities for meaningful interaction and mutual support across generations. * **Cultural Development and Arts** – Expanding access to arts, culture, and creative experiences for underserved populations.

_*Our priority areas may evolve throughout the year in response to new data and emerging community needs. We are committed to staying responsive, inclusive, and family-centered in everything we do. Any updates will be provided on our website.

_ ## [](https://www. cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants)Apply and Review Process Grant cycles open on **Aug.

1, 2026** and **Dec. 1, 2026**. [](https://www.

cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants) Each grant cycle will remain open for approximately 30 days from the date of launch, the deadline for each cycle will be included in the application. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has a**new grant application platform.

** If you have not submitted a grant application since May 1, 2025, you must create a new user profile (even if you applied before that date). **Each user needs a unique profile. ** Since other foundations also use this platform, please confirm that the Community Foundation of Sarasota County logo appears at the top of the application page.

An information session will be held during the week each application opens, offering an overview of the grant process, eligibility, focus areas, and opportunities for asking questions before submitting a strong proposal. Click here to watch the recording of our August Information Session.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to watch the information session and apply during the open window that best aligns with their programming and organizational needs. ## Questions? [](https://www.

cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants) **Each Friday** from 11 a. m.

to noon the Community Impact team will be available to answer questions or discuss applications on an open Zoom call. Click here to attend the meeting. Please visit this site regularly—any cancellations will be listed here.

As a grantee of the Community Foundation, we have grant reporting expectations and requirements to showcase the results of the great work you are accomplishing with this funding. ## [](https://www. cfsarasota.

org/Community-Impact-Grants)Share Your Story of Impact Already received a Capacity Building Grant within the last year? Share how this funding contributed to your organization's work and success within our community. ##### What can be a Story of Impact?

* Podcasts / Audio Recordings Please reference ourPress Kitto help draft your message and coordinate review with Cooper Levey-Baker, Communications Manager, atcooper@cfsarasota. org **Looking for examples? Check out the Stories of Impact below shared by our grantees.

[](https://www. cfsarasota.

org/Community-Impact-Grants)** August 20, 2026 #### SFSC Foundation Receives $40,000 Grant for Student ScholarshipsJuly 20, 2026 #### Panther Prep College Bridge Program Renewed for Summer 2026July 13, 2026 #### PHSC Foundation Receives $35,000 Grant to Support Student ScholarshipsJuly 2, 2026 #### UnidosNow's Empowered Parents Program Expands With Support From Community Foundation of Sarasota CountyJuly 1, 2026 #### The Ringling Receives Community Foundation Grant to Expand ProgramsJune 30, 2026 #### Roskamp Institute Awarded $43,000 Programmatic Grant From the Community Foundation of Sarasota CountyJuly 18, 2024 #### First 1,000 Days Suncoast at SMH Received $7,500 GrantJuly 17, 2024 #### Hermitage Artist Retreat Receives Over $238,000 in National and Regional Grants Toward Artist Programs and Community InitiativesJuly 17, 2024 #### USF researcher's disaster preparedness app wins funding from Sarasota foundationJuly 11, 2024 #### Embracing Our Differences Receives Grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County to Establish Parent Advisory Council ## Resources for Grantees ### Eligibility Requirements [](https://www.

cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants)Need Assistance? **Director, Community Impact** [](https://www.

cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants)[](https://www. cfsarasota.

org/Community-Impact-Grants)[](https://www. cfsarasota. org/Community-Impact-Grants)[](mailto:?

subject=I%20would%20like%20to%20share%20this%20page%20with%20you. &body=Page%20Link%3A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww. cfsarasota.

org%2FCommunity-Impact-Grants) 8:30 a. m. – 5 p.

m. , M – F **Phone:** (941) 955-3000 [](https://www. facebook.

com/CommunityFoundationSarasotaCounty)[](https://www. instagram. com/cfsarasota/)[](https://www.

linkedin. com/company/community-foundation-of-sarasota-county)[](https://www. youtube.

com/@communityfoundation) THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC. IS A REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT CORPORATION (EIN 59-1956886). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 (OR 1-800-352-9832 EN ESPAÑOL) OR GOING ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEBSITE WWW. FDACS.

GOV/CONSUMERSERVICES. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. One hundred percent (100%) of the donation is received by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, registration #CH2471.

**Every One Can Make a Difference** * Create a Charitable Fund * Join the Legacy Society * Establish or Participate in a Giving Circle * Consult With Your Professional Advisor * Find Inspiration Through Donor Stories * Donate Through Your Private Foundation * Research Nonprofits and Volunteer Opportunities * Understand Community Needs and Data **Our Services for Professional Advisors** * Charitable Giving Options * Financial Advisor Program * Distinguished Speaker Series **Our Support for Nonprofits** * Workshops and Trainings * Research Community Needs and Data **Scholarship Opportunities** * Scholarships for Students Under 24 Years of Age * Scholarships for Students 24 Years of Age or Older * Tools and Resources for Scholarship Planning * Become a Scholarship Committee Volunteer * Community Knowledge and Impact _Community Knowledge and Impact Overview:_ Community Tools and Reports Community Indicators Dashboard * Emergency Needs & Disaster Relief * Scholarship Opportunities * Cultural Development & The Arts * Building Support & Capacity * 2Gen (two-generational) Approach * “EdExploreSRQ” Student Learning * Education and Career Scholarships * Season of Sharing Donation Campaign * Strauss Literacy Initiative * Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund * Campaign for Grade-Level Reading * History of Community Impact * Our Strategic Framework * Audited Financials and Tax Returns * Our Benefits and Culture