Search Through Aging Grants in Florida in the U.S.

Broward County, Florida 

The Henderson family has made Broward County, Florida their home for generations. Because of its deep community roots, the Henderson family has made a commitment to helping improve the condition of children and their families in the region. 

Broward County has over 140,000 young children falling in the birth-to-eight age range. Broward is a very racially and ethnically diverse community and is home to a high number of African American and Hispanic/Latino families. It is also home to a large percentage of first-generation residents from Central and South America and the Caribbean Island nations. The County’s school district is the sixth largest in the nation and serves more than 250,000 children. Broward County Public Schools also delivers Head Start and Early Head Start programming for its youngest students. 

Most childcare in Broward is delivered by private, for-profit businesses. There are also a small number of for-profit and nonprofit childcare centers designed to serve the needs of the whole family. The Foundation partners with a variety of organizations including nonprofit early learning centers, governmental agencies, and other like-minded funders, both public and private.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to improving the lives of young children and their families in Broward County, Florida and the State of Vermont

Our ValuesOur core values are the fundamental beliefs upon which our foundation and its people operate.

• Trust
• Collaboration
• Learning
• Equity
• Impact

Funding Priorities:

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on strengthening early childhood programs and supporting programs that enable families with young children to thrive in Broward County, Florida and the State of Vermont.

Goals & Objectives

Goal One: Strengthen early childhood programs

• Support early childhood development programming so that young children are positioned for success
• Improve the capacity of early care and education programs to serve young children so they are positioned for success

Goal Two: Support programs that enable families with young children to thrive

• Provide funding for direct services that help families care for their young children
• Improve the capacity of programs that work with families with young children

Goal Three: Engage in systems change to strengthen early childhood programs and enable families with young children to thrive

Goal Three: Engage in systems change to strengthen early childhood programs and enable families with young children to thrive

• Engage in and/or fund systems-level advocacy for early childhood learning
• Engage in and/or fund opportunities for systems change that address the needs of families with young children

Local Impact Grants

Local Impact Grants are grants up to $20,000 for work in the areas of vibrant economies, climate resiliency and justice, equity and inclusion. Our Local Impact grants are open year-round.

Vibrant Economies

• Workforce development training for jobs vital to the energy economy, with a focus on underrepresented populations
• Community revitalization and local economic development efforts
• Economic recovery for customers and communities facing unprecedented challenges
• Energy and engineering education for K-12 students and teachers

Climate Resiliency

• Environmental projects supporting land conservation; clean water; and biodiversity of plant and animal species
• Environmental resiliency projects that prepare communities for and mitigate against the effects of climate change
• Natural disaster preparedness and response
• Projects strengthening thriving natural environments, including access to green space, in historically underserved communities.

Opportunity and Inclusion

• Programs supporting a just transition for communities moving toward cleaner energy infrastructure
• Initiatives supporting upward mobility for families and individuals in the communities we serve
• Programs reducing structural barriers and promoting access to opportunity for underserved communities

Our Story

Established in 1980, The Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation was formed through two special people with a heart for the Gospel and blessing the lives of others. The Stacy’s legacy has been passed down through their family who now hold this commitment which is dear to them personally.

The Stacy Foundation was funded by the APenn and Penn Champ oil and manufacturing companies. Festus Stacy founded these entities in Butler, Pennsylvania during 1932. He led as President/CEO over these corporations until he sold them in 1962.

What We Support

Our grants typically target ministries working in the areas of:

• Evangelism/Church Planting:
  • Engage in community & event outreaches.
  • Plant churches primarily in emerging nations.
• Leadership Development:
  • Train & equip upper lever leaders.
  • Develop indigenous leadership.
• Holistic Ministries:
  • Assist the poor, marginalized, and oppressed by serving both their physical & spiritual needs. People served: Imprisoned, enslaved, orphaned, widowed, homeless, handicapped, etc. 
• Media & Technology:
  • Engaging culture through forms of traditional and emerging Christian media.
• Stewardship:
  • Support organizations that serve, encourage & equip individuals on their journey to more generous & effective giving.
• Children & Youth:
  • Focus on children & youth, while also supporting individuals of all ages, gender & race.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Donation Request

Sharing the adventure of Universal Orlando is an exciting way to help local organizations raise much-needed funds. Universal Orlando primarily donates theme park tickets to qualified nonprofits that educate our youth, strengthen our community and fall under our focus areas.

The Universal Orlando charitable giving program is open only to eligible nonprofit organizations located within the state of Florida. While outreach is considered for organizations within the state of Florida, preference is given to nonprofits based in Central Florida because that’s the heart of our universe. We are happy to review donation requests for qualifying nonprofit organizations for fundraising purposes. We are unable to review applications for corporate sponsorships.

Due to the popularity of Universal Orlando Resort, we are unable to offer hotel accommodations.

Cutler Bay Community Fund

Mission Statement

The Cutler Bay Community Fund was created to support nonprofit organizations that endeavor to improve the life of residents in the Town of Cutler Bay through educational, aesthetic (community beautification), environmental, cultural, social services and other philanthropic programs and services. (Resolution #13-57)

About the Cutler Bay Community Fund

The Town of Cutler Bay established the Cutler Bay Community Fund (Resolution #13-57) in 2013 with the goal of establishing partnerships that will help to improve the quality of life of residents in our community, as well as supporting local nonprofit organizations. The Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that is overseen by a Board of Directors consisting of the current Cutler Bay Mayor and Town Council. Grant awards range between $500 to $2,500 and only one application per organization will be accepted each year.

100% of the funds collected through the community fund are solely used for charitable purposes with priority given to organizations that provide services within the Town of Cutler Bay. The Fund currently has six service categories (priority areas) that direct our grant making; education, aesthetic, environment, culture, social services, and other philanthropic activities.

Cutler Bay Community Fund Priority Areas

Education

The purpose of this fund is to impact student achievement by supporting 501(c)(3) organizations that serve both children and youth, from the time they enter daycare through completion of grade 12, who reside in or attend schools in Cutler Bay. Activities include but are not limited to; out-of-school programs, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, educational field trips, teacher incentive programs, curriculum enhancement/development activities, educational equipment/supplies, personal safety/prevention activities (i.e., anti-bullying, distracted driving awareness, abuse prevention), parenting skills training, life skills training, civic engagement, and college/career preparation.

Aesthetic

The goal of this fund is to support 501(c)(3) organizations that implement programs to enhance the overall safety and anesthetics of our community. Examples include but are not limited to community beautification projects, assistance with code compliance matters for the elderly or low-income residents, graffiti abatement, community message boards, landscaping, community gardening, preserve/enhance green spaces, and/or any other general aesthetic improvements.

Environmental

The Town of Cutler Bay was the first municipality in Miami-Dade County to receive “Certified Silver” designation as a Florida Green Building City. In keeping with our initiative to “Go Green”, the Cutler Bay Community Fund supports 501(c)(3) community programs that promote environmental responsibility. Examples include but are not limited to “green” education and awareness activities, community gardening, recycling, alternative transportation (bicycle, walking programs), conservation, maintenance of environmentally sensitive lands, and/or any other general environmental improvement activity.

Cultural

Culture is represented through art, literature, and music, but mainly through the customs and traditions of a particular nation, people, or other social group. It is the common bond that brings the people of a community together. This Fund aspires to ensure that cultural activities are accessible to all residents regardless of age, ability, or economic status. To this end, 501(c)(3) organizations that provide the following activities will be supported through the Fund; concerts, art in public places, heritage festivals, cultural awareness programs, community festivals, intergenerational activities, artistic performances, monthly cultural displays at Town Hall (Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.), history preservation, and other general cultural activities.

Social Services

The objective of this fund is to support local 501(c)(3) social service agencies for projects that help Cutler Bay residents in need. Examples include but are not limited to; workforce development, healthy living (community bike events, nutrition activities, anti-bullying campaigns, etc.), youth development (support for programs that encourage youth leadership and assists in their transition to adulthood), basic needs (utility assistance, food, and emergency shelter, etc..), outreach efforts, aging in place programs, housing, and other generally defined social services.

Other Philanthropic Programs/Services

The needs of the citizen’s in the Town of Cutler Bay continually evolve. This Fund targets support of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that meet the unforeseen needs of this community or needs that do not fit in any of the other funding priority areas. Examples may include but are not limited to; disaster relief/preparedness, fitness activities, sporting events, healthcare, transportation for the elderly or disabled, efforts that fulfill urgent need in the community, and other generally defined philanthropic services.

History

Do no harm. Those were the words Leo Pierce used to describe the overarching theme of his life. Those words are echoed in the spirit of the Leo & Peggy Pierce Family Foundation.

Leo and Peggy Pierce married on May 2, 1941, and were long-time residents of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania where they raised their family: four sons and four daughters. That same year, Leo entered military service, and was honorably discharged in 1945 having earned the rank of major in the army.

Leo served in various roles prior to founding his company, Pierce Leahy Archives, in 1969. A milestone was reached on July 1, 1997 when the company was taken public on the New York Stock Exchange. Leo retired as Chairman of the Board in February of 2000 at the age of 82.

Leo and Peggy were active with many civic and social groups, however, charitable values and a desire to give back led them to start the Leo & Peggy Pierce Family Foundation in 1997. The foundation serves organizations that strive to end hunger and food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia region and Indian River County in Florida.

The Pierce’s “do no harm” legacy will live on through the foundation they started, and the second and third generation family members who seek to do the same.

Mission

The Leo and Peggy Pierce Family Foundation seeks to prevent and end hunger and food insecurity in the five-county Philadelphia region and Indian River County, FL through grants and investments.

Guidelines

The Foundation makes grants to support activities that address hunger and food insecurity through direct service programs and/or advocacy efforts.

Types of support:

• Program/Project, and
• General Operating.

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

At Motorola Solutions, we are good citizens by design. Our work makes a difference in the critical moments that shape lives, businesses and the world, but our contributions don’t end there. The Motorola Solutions Foundation acts as the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions and focuses on giving back to the community through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose to help people be their best in the moments that matter.

Grant Program Focus

The Motorola Solutions Foundation, which has donated $100 million over the past 10 years, aims to partner with organizations that are creating safer cities and thriving communities, and prioritizes underrepresented and/or underserved populations, including people of color and women, within the three focus areas below:

• Technology and engineering education
• First responder programming
• Blended first responder programming and technology/engineering education programs

Overarching Priorities

• Reach people of color, women and other underrepresented and/or underserved populations within our focus areas
• Leverage robust partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and institutions
• Support organizations that exhibit strong financial health
• Support organizations with data-driven evaluation methods, including quantifiable metrics

Focus Areas

First Responder Programming

• Provide leadership development and training opportunities for underrepresented first responders, including people of color and women
• Provide mental wellness and stress management trainings for first responders and their families
• Provide wellness and scholarship support to families of fallen first responders
• Prepare youth and young adults for careers in public safety through outreach, scholarship and educational programs
• Offer safety preparedness and response training to schools, adults, students and first responders
• Lead safety and disaster preparedness trainings for the public

Technology & Engineering Education

• Engage students in innovative, hands-on technology and engineering activities, such as design, coding and robotics
• Provide vocational skills, scholarships, certifications and workforce placement opportunities in engineering, information technology and data science
• Equip teachers with the skills and training necessary to enhance instruction in technology and engineering
• Prioritize school-aged students ages 8-18, college/university students and young adults

Stanley Weber was a long-time member of the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter Trout Unlimited. Stan was part owner of Lew Hubbard’s Men’s Clothing Store and an avid troutsman. He had property on the Boardman River near Traverse City and spent most of his summers there. After his retirement Stan spent the winter months fishing in Florida. Stan passed away in 1998 and named the chapter as a beneficiary of his estate. The Stanley Weber Projects Fund was established in his memory and provides funds to organizations for the betterment of conservation and coldwater fisheries.

Purpose of the fund

• The Stanley Weber Projects Fund values projects that benefit the conservation, preservation and restoration of coldwater fisheries and their habitats. The fund also supports education of the public on these issues.
• Each year, the fund makes grants totaling no more than $5,000.
• The fund requests recognition of its grants through acknowledgement of the Stanley Weber Projects Fund and Kalamazoo Valley Chapter Trout Unlimited on plaques placed on site or announcements made in the local media.

Connected Healthy Lives

Every day, people face a multitude of choices that may affect their health and quality of life. In many communities, these choices are limited by factors beyond a person’s control. That is why we are expanding healthy choices for communities and creating more equitable health outcomes by working to eliminate the social and structural barriers to health.

Our goals

• We create healthy emotional connections as a vital part of our holistic approach to care.
• We shape a healthier approach to nutrition that supports lifelong health and wellbeing.
• We deploy our knowledge and resources as stewards of good health in communities across the country.

Our approach

The Humana Foundation partners with local communities and trusted community organizations in Louisville, KY, Texas, Florida and Louisiana to create a network of support for people confronting life’s challenges, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, or gender identity.

We connect people to various programs and services committed to suicide prevention, substance abuse treatment, foster grandparent programs, and more.

We collaborate with community ecosystems to advance nutritional literacy and food security so people can have consistent and reliable access to healthy food. From awareness initiatives for seniors to community food systems and food mapping pilot programs, we empower people on their health journey.

We ground our work in the needs and desires of those we serve, performing data analytics to advance collective learning and creating real, measurable impact that improves lives.

Disaster Philanthropy

The Humana Foundation allocates funding each year to provide emergency relief to communities in crisis with the goal of supporting equitable, long-term health and recovery.

Our goals

We partner with Humana Inc. to provide relief to Humana associates, facilities and Humana plan members affected by disasters. We respond to calls from national, regional or local leaders for emergency assistance. We support preparedness efforts that ensure a more equitable response to disasters.

Our approach

Disaster funds provided by the Humana Foundation, along with matching donations made by Humana Inc. associates, are primarily directed to immediate relief and long-term community health and recovery.

Additional funding may also be made available for disaster preparedness in communities that are planning and training for a more equitable response to disasters, which accounts for unique needs across age, race, ethnicity and gender identity.

Giving back to the community through grant making is one way how we fulfill our mission of “Connecting People Who Care with Causes that Matter”. Through the generosity of our donors, The Charlotte Community Foundation can award grant-making dollars each year to organizations serving the needs of communities in and around Charlotte County, Florida.

Education Fund

Organizations or collaborations that are assisting school age children (VPK-12) in Charlotte County with additional education opportunities and workforce development with the intent of enriching the community and lives of those residing in Charlotte County.

Examples include but not limited to:

• Afterschool programs
• Career Development
• Reading programs
• Feeding Programs

NextEra Energy Foundation partners with and invests in nonprofit organizations throughout Northwest Florida. We aim to build strong and sustainable communities, improving the lives of our customers through innovation, sustainability, opportunity and safety.

Every day, people face a multitude of choices that may affect their health and quality of life. In many communities, these choices are limited by factors beyond a person’s control. That is why we are expanding healthy choices for communities and creating more equitable health outcomes by working to eliminate the social and structural barriers to health.

Our goals

• We create healthy emotional connections as a vital part of our holistic approach to care.
• We shape a healthier approach to nutrition that supports lifelong health and wellbeing.
• We deploy our knowledge and resources as stewards of good health in communities across the country.

Our approach

The Humana Foundation partners with local communities and trusted community organizations in Louisville, KY, Texas, Florida and Louisiana to create a network of support for people confronting life’s challenges, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, or gender identity.

We connect people to various programs and services committed to suicide prevention, substance abuse treatment, foster grandparent programs, and more.

We collaborate with community ecosystems to advance nutritional literacy and food security so people can have consistent and reliable access to healthy food. From awareness initiatives for seniors to community food systems and food mapping pilot programs, we empower people on their health journey.

We ground our work in the needs and desires of those we serve, performing data analytics to advance collective learning and creating real, measurable impact that improves lives.

Florida Health Literacy Initiative

A statewide initiative managed by the Florida Literacy Coalition and sponsored by the Florida Blue Foundation

Purpose

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

According to the National Adult Assessment of Literacy, 14% of Americans cannot comprehend basic health information. The study indicates that health illiteracy is especially prevalent among: 1) adults who did not complete high school, with 49% having below basic health literacy, and 2) Hispanic adults, who have lower health literacy than any other ethnic/racial group, with 41% having below basic health literacy.

Adults with low literacy levels often fail to engage in early detection and preventive health care. They also have significant difficulties navigating the health care system and following their doctors’ treatment plans. Florida ranks 36th out of 50 states in the 2016 study America’s Health Rankings. The state’s greatest health challenges include a high rate of uninsured residents, a low high school graduation rate, and high prevalence of diabetes.

In 2008, responding to the need for comprehensive health literacy curricula for adult ESOL teachers and their students, FLC partnered with the Florida Department of Education to develop a student book and teacher’s guide centered on basic health literacy - . Since then, several additional resources have been developed including , and .

The Florida Health Literacy Initiative is funded through a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation and managed by the Florida Literacy Coalition. The program provides training, resources, and funding to help Florida adult ESOL and family literacy programs integrate health education into their instruction. This national award winning initiative has partnered with community providers to serve more than 16,000 students statewide, enabling these individuals to gain information and skills to make informed choices regarding their health and nutrition.

Florida Blue and the Florida Blue Foundation are committed to improving the health and well-being of all Floridians and seek to find real and meaningful solutions to some of the most critical social issues facing Florida’s communities. Because a literate, educated, and informed society is key to our state’s overall success, Florida Blue and the Florida Blue Foundation have made supporting family and healthy literacy programs a cornerstone of its community investments strategy.

Definition of Family Literacy Programs

For grant purposes, family literacy programs should include the following four components:

• parent literacy instruction;
• interactive literacy activities between parents and their children;
• training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children; and
• age-appropriate education for children.

Grant Award

We plan to award approximately fourteen grants of up to $5,000. Grant funds are used to support adult ESOL and/or family literacy program expenses over the twelve-month period beginning May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2026. Appropriate administrative and travel expenses may be paid for with grant funds. Grant recipients from prior years are eligible to reapply. The ability or need to secure matching funds is not required for this grant.

The Frank L. Weyenberg Charitable Trust awards grants to organizations supporting charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes.

Frank L. Weyenberg was born in Appleton, Wisconsin on March 26, 1882. In 1892, the Weyenberg family entered into a partnership to sell shoes. Frank L. Weyenberg entered his family’s shoe business in 1897 at age 15. By 1906, he was president of the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Co., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Weyenberg was president of the company until 1962, when he became Chairman of the Board, a position he held until he retired in 1968. During his time as president and chairman, company sales grew dramatically. Mr. Weyenberg remained on the Board of Directors of the company, now called the Weyco Group, until his death in 1976. Mr. Weyenberg had a second home in Palm Beach, Florida for many, many years and was a Florida resident at his death. Mr. Weyenberg’s generosity will continue to benefit people for many years to come.

Program areas

• Arts, culture, and humanities 
• Education 
• Environment, animals 
• Health 
• Human services 
• Public/society benefit 
• Religion

About the Foundation

The Palm Beach Community Trust Fund was created by a Declaration of Trust dated March 10, 1955. The Palm Beach Community Trust Fund was established to support a variety of charitable causes.

Mission

To provide support, maintenance and upkeep of institutions and organizations carrying on charitable, religious, and educational work for promoting education and scientific research, for care of the sick, aged or helpless, and for improving living conditions and the relief of individual needs.

Program areas

• Arts, culture, and humanities
• Education
• Environment, animals
• Health
• Human services
• Public/society benefit
• Religion

Applications are accepted year-round. Applications must be submitted by April 15 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting.

Background

Engaging two generations in learning together is a fundamental and distinguishing aspect of family literacy. Family literacy programs work to break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy and limited education. Parents are supported as the first teachers of their children and provided with tools on how they can support their children’s educational development, while also working on improving their own skills.

The Florida Family Literacy Grant Initiative is made possible through the support of the Kislak Family Foundation. This initiative provides resources, and funding to help Florida schools and educational programs to establish or expand upon a family literacy program in their community.

Definition of Family Literacy Programs

For grant purposes, family literacy programs should include the following three components:

• Adult basic education/literacy or English as a Second Language (ESL) skills training for parents or caregivers,
• Age- appropriate educational activities for children, and
• Interactive literacy activities between parents and children Parent and Child Together (PACT) time.

Health & Wellness Request for Proposal

With health equity as a driving force, Our Fund strives for health and wellness outcomes that allow LGBT people in South Florida to live full, healthy and happy lives. To this end, Our Fund Foundation’s Health & Wellness Fund supports initiatives that address the unique issues affecting the health and wellness of LGBT people in South Florida and close the health and wellness disparities that LGBT people face resulting from social stigma and discrimination.

The Health Promotion Research Report (found here) outlines the causes and effects defining the disparities LGBT people face regarding health and wellness. It also provides a framework of interventions that can be enlisted to improve health and wellness concerns. Submitted proposals should correlate to the needs and interventions in the report.

Applicants for support from Our Fund’s Health & Wellness Fund should indicate a health and wellness concern(s) and the affected population and provide an intervention program or service that improves the health and wellness of LGBT people in South Florida.

About the Foundation

A firm handshake, a clear steady gaze, a welcoming smile, a persuasive energy and a dynamic achiever… this was Frank Doyle. He attended Fordham and Rutgers Universities and he, along with his wife Gertrude R. Doyle combined education with a dedication to the belief that when opportunity knocks, it’s wise to open the door. From New Jersey to Nevada, Florida to California, Frank found challenges and embraced them with a zest and vigor that never said, “it can’t be done.” The seventh son of immigrant parents his was a life well lived. After the passing of Frank M. Doyle in 1996, Gertrude R. Doyle founded The Frank M. Doyle Foundation, Inc. Initially, the foundation provided scholarships to students in the Huntington Beach, California area. As described by Gertrude R. Doyle,

Over the years, the foundation expanded the scholarship application pool to include students from Orange County, California Community Colleges, Washoe County, Nevada students, and certain vocational school students to its application pool. The foundation also branched out beyond the academic world and began providing grants to nonprofit organizations in an effort to fulfill Mr. and Mrs. Doyle’s dream of a better world for all. In late 2008, after the passing of Gertrude R. Doyle, the foundation adopted the name, The Frank M. and Gertrude R. Doyle Foundation, Inc., and in 2018 became “The Doyle Foundation, Inc.”

The Doyle Foundation, Inc. awards grants for the betterment of life.

WHO WE ARE

Admirals Cove Foundation is the philanthropic foundation of The Club at Admirals Cove, a private community in Jupiter, Florida. The Foundation board, members, and volunteers are comprised exclusively of Admirals Cove residents. ACF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2004 by then Club President, Donald Daren, who saw the need to strengthen the community outside Admirals Cove’s gates. Countless members have generously donated and volunteered their time to support our mission.

Today, we are committed to the Foundation’s pillars:

• Leadership
• Philanthropy
• Efficiency
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Impact

Admirals Cove Foundation believes in smart giving. We focus on maximizing the impact of our philanthropic contributions and direct action initiatives. By design, we are a lean organization. Advocating total transparency and governance, we strongly encourage volunteering and committee membership. See firsthand what we do, how we do it, and our impact.

Admirals Cove Foundation Grant

Grant funding is focused on programs impacting the Education, Health, and Social Service needs of individuals and families in the northern Palm Beach County area. The geographical focus area is North Palm Beach (Northlake Blvd.) north to Tequesta (County Line Rd). Special consideration is given to nonprofit organizations with programs impacting Jupiter residents.

Education

We support nonprofit organizations, public and charter school programs, and initiatives that promote and improve access to education for people of all ages.

Health

We support projects and programs of nonprofit organizations committed to improving the physical or mental wellness of children and adults.

Social Service

We support nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of families, children, and individuals including veterans, who are in need of food, shelter, and assistance.

Who We Are

As Central Florida’s local arts agency, United Arts raises and distributes funds for arts, science and history organizations in our region. Our grants, programs, and resources fuel local arts and culture.

Operating Support Grants

Operating Support Grants support the operations of cultural nonprofit organizations, increasing the variety of cultural experiences available to residents and visitors in Central Florida. This comprehensive grant program recognizes the high value of arts and culture for our region and the established institutions that provide cultural programming for the public year-round.

The William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust honors the long-time philanthropists William and Helen Thomas, from Stuart, Florida by supporting nonprofit organizations providing services for education, the environment, medical needs, the underprivileged and other charitable purposes. 

Areas of Interest:

• Educational opportunities for deserving and needy students
• Preservation and protection of the natural environment
• Medical research and care for the treatment, prevention and cure of arthritis, blindness and diabetes
• Assistance for the poor, especially those of Appalachia and those of American Indian ancestry
• Assistance and care for orphaned children who are unlikely to be adopted because of age, handicap, or for other reasons

About the Cape Coral Community Foundation

The Community Foundation, previously known as the Cape Coral Community Foundation, is a vehicle for people of all means to make a lasting impact in their community and beyond. We build upon philanthropy efforts and strengthen society by encouraging endowments, addressing the public’s needs and providing community leadership.

At its core, The Community Foundation is an organization created with gifts from generous people committed to local causes. For donors, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic advisor. For the community, the Foundation serves as a grant maker and civic leader. Through the support of its donors and fund holders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, veterans and education.

Grants to Support Small Nonprofit Organizations

The Community Foundation invests in small and grassroots nonprofit organizations making a big impact in Southwest Florida. Grants are considered for community projects and to help organizations become stronger. These are one-time grants. Funding is not intended to extend beyond one year.

ABOUT ROOTED IN JUSTICE

“Rooted in Justice” is a funding program designed to help amplify youth voices and actions in the environmental and food justice movements.  Rooted in Justice supports community-based organizations and groups that manage established, youth-led, urban greening programs within a justice framework as a core part of their work, with two-year grants of $25,000/year.  

Rooted in Justice recognizes the importance and undeniable right of every young person to have the ability to develop their own relationship with the environment, be it through growing food, spending time with nature, creating community green spaces, or becoming environmental stewards. Rooted in Justice also honors the power and possibilities that arise when young people collectively work to be change-makers in their communities.

Rooted in Justice supports organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people between the ages of 12 to 20 in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically or currently experience:

• A lack of access to land or nature;
• Agricultural oppression and/or neglect;
• Food apartheid; and/or
• Other forms of injustice based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics and disability.

Rooted in Justice awards a small number of grants each year with applications due in the fall and decisions made the following spring. Final grant decisions are recommended to the Cedar Tree board via a participatory grantmaking process with outside reviewers who have experience in youth-led urban greening, as well as food or climate justice programming. So far the program has awarded multi-year grants to 21 organizations and one-time grants to 10 additional organizations since 2021. 

Definitions

Rooted in Justice grants support organizations or programs that include all four of the elements described below: social justice, youth-led, urban greening, and cohort-based youth work. We articulate our understanding of those terms below in an effort to provide a guide for prospective organizations to use in determining whether their program is a good fit. However as we continue our work towards questioning and dismantling some of our preconceived notions, we recognize that these are not finite definitions and encourage prospective applicants who still feel their work may be a good fit to describe in their proposals why this is the case.  

Social Justice-Based Programs

Programs dedicated to creating equitable outcomes for communities directly affected by different aspects of injustice by:

• Sharing and redistributing power and resources;
• Amplifying voices and leadership;
• Tackling root problems through ongoing engagement and collaboration to find solutions, organize against oppression of all kinds and create mechanisms for change; and
• Developing a critical analysis with youth and community members.

Youth-Led

The development of youth leadership skills is a core part of programs funded by Rooted in Justice. Young people have the opportunity to play a role in the planning and decision-making for their program and may help shape the internal workings of the organization. Examples of youth-led programs include programs where participants: 

• Managing a portion of their programming budget;
• Co-facilitating program activities, meetings and gatherings;
• Shape their own programming and/or organizational strategic planning;
• Have regular and end-of-program opportunities to provide program feedback and evaluation; and
• Have opportunities for personal and/or professional growth within the program and organization.

Urban Greening

For the purpose of this grant we define “urban greening” as any activity that creates a mutually beneficial relationship between city dwellers and their environments. Programs that are a strong fit for Rooted in Justice will have many opportunities for youth to be outdoors.  Project settings can include, but are not limited to: 

• Urban and aquaponic farms
• Greenhouses and rooftop gardens
• Community gardens, green spaces, and rain gardens
• Composting sites
• Land conservation efforts
• Urban forests
• River or other water restoration  

Cohort-Based Youth Works

Rooted in Justice looks to fund organizations that build community with cohorts of youth through intentional, recurring programming. This grant is intended to support programs that offer youth significant learning and leadership opportunities as a group and as individuals. Priority will be given to organizations that have program infrastructure that supports a cohort of youth over time.  Drop-in programming, one-time conferences, or individual internships are not a good fit for Rooted in Justice.  

Youth Budgeting

As part of grant proposal, all Rooted in Justice grantees must share a plan to allocate a portion of the grant funds for youth participants to manage. What do we mean by this? We ask applicants to specifically set aside some amount of grant funds for youth to allocate to priorities of their choosing.  For example, youth participants can use their allocated funding to:

• Fund an entrepreneurial endeavor;
• Design the brand or swag for their group;
• Hire a speaker or outside expert to teach a new skill;
• Purchase supplies for a community-based art project;
• Host a celebration for their families, friends and neighbors;
• Pay for transportation to programming, special events, or conferences; and/or
• Any other youth-led activity the group may find beneficial.

Use of Funds

Rooted in Justice funding must be used for project support of existing youth led, urban greening, social justice work and associated general operating expenses. Operating expenses can include anything from program costs like staff salaries and youth stipends to organizational sustainability needs like major equipment purchases and leadership/staff training. If your organization’s entire mission is youth led, urban greening, social justice work, the Rooted in Justice grant can be general support. 

Funding

Two Year Grant

• Rooted in Justice Grant awards are two-year grants of $25,000 per year.
• After the initial two year grant, grantees may be eligible for a third year of funding at the same or lower level through a simple renewal process.
• In the 2025-2026 grant cycle, the Cedar Tree Foundation expects to support 4 organizations with multi-year grant awards.

Funding for Professional Development

• Each Rooted in Justice grantee organization also has access to an additional $6,000 to support professional development opportunities identified by each organization.  Half of these funds must be used to directly support the professional development of youth. 
• Rooted in Justice grantees can request reimbursement from this professional development fund to attend conferences, hire consultants, purchase equipment or software that increases organizational capacity, or participate in any activities that strengthen youth programming or justice practice of program providers in support of their youth development programming. The funds set aside for youth professional development can be used for youth exchanges or youth participation in conferences and other professional development opportunities directly for youth.  

Community Professional Development Calls

• Cedar Tree works with grantee partners to assess their professional development interests and facilitates on-line gatherings of staff or youth for skill shares, trainings, and networking opportunities.
• These network calls will likely happen 2-3 times per year. 

We Fund the Future of the Shooting Sports

The NRA Foundation provides financial support to eligible projects, programs and organizations through its grant program. Each year, volunteer committees from across the country tirelessly raise charitable dollars and generous donors make gifts that are in turn awarded as grants in support of educational and public service programs relating to the shooting sports in our communities.

The General Focus of Foundation Grants is to:

• Promote, advance and encourage firearms, shooting sports and hunting safety
• Educate individuals with respect to firearms, firearms history, participation in the shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship
• Conduct research in furtherance of improved firearms safety and marksmanship facilities and techniques

Purpose Statement

The Fischer Family Foundation supports the mission of improving the lives of underprivileged and low-income populations primarily ages 8-25 in Southwest Florida through various resources that support enriching lives, improving mental health, and promoting overall well-being. These resources are focused on, but not limited to, education, summer camps, intensive overnight wellness and/or recovery retreats, wilderness programs, and substance abuse treatment facilities, programs and/or services.

Funding priority is given, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Substance Abuse
• Prevention and education programs targeting youth and at-risk populations
• Accessible treatment and recovery support services
• Harm-reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs
• Mental health
• Initiatives that improve access to mental health services in underserved areas
• Programs addressing the mental health needs such as summer camp, overnight retreats
• Camps serving underprivileged children including scholarships for low-income families
• Outdoor education programs that promote environmental stewardship and experiential learning

Priority will be given to requests to provide underprivileged youth access to opportunities for connection, skill building, conflict resolution, independence, and new experiences that can enrich their lives socially and emotionally.

Grant Types

• The Fischer Family Foundation offers project-specific grants, general operating support and capacity-building grants
• Multi-year grants may be considered for well-established organizations with a proven track record

Grant Size

• Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, yet larger grants may be awarded for exceptional projects

Background

Financial literacy is the ability to use knowledge and skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being.

Financial education promotes stability for individuals and their families. The more people know about credit, banking services, taxes, and basic money management, the more likely they are to increase savings, buy homes, save for education, and improve their financial well-being. Not surprisingly, people with a low level of education tend to have low numeracy and financial literacy skills. Basic financial skills education can be critical to helping individuals manage their money and protect themselves from predatory practices.

Florida Financial Literacy Initiative

The Florida Literacy Coalition (FLC) is proud to partner with Wells Fargo in establishing a statewide financial literacy program for students in adult education/literacy, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and family literacy programs. This initiative supports the integration of literacy and math instruction and financial education, promoting a contextualized approach to learning.

Wells Fargo is committed to supporting organizations that work to strengthen local communities. By addressing vital community needs and issues, including family and financial literacy, Wells Fargo is promoting economic empowerment and well-being in Florida and beyond.

For grant purposes, family literacy programs should include the following four components:

• Parent literacy instruction;
• Interactive literacy activities between parents and their children;
• Training for parents regarding how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their children; and
• Age-appropriate education for children.

Grants up to $5,000 will be made available to 9 Florida adult education, ESOL, and family literacy programs to incorporate financial education into their instruction.

About Impact Polk

Impact Polk is an annual competitive, donor-directed grant program of the GiveWell Community Foundation with the goal of addressing community needs throughout Polk County. Impact Polk grants often support a broad range of needs, such as arts and culture, education, health, and human services.

Program Details

The United Community Needs Assessment (UCNA) for Polk County, Florida, conducted by GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida, identified six (6) key areas as significant barriers to improving the quality of life for residents. This year, we are focusing Impact Polk on the following six domains:

Economic & Employment Opportunities

Helping citizens achieve financial independence such as:

• Developing job accelerator programs and innovation centers to create high-wage jobs and businesses, especially in distressed communities.
• Creating skilled workforce training to attract businesses and promote economic growth.
• Creating training centers/programs with necessary resources and equipment.
• Implementing financial literacy programs for all ages.

Education: Early Childhood, K-12, and Post-Secondary

Enhancing early-childhood education opportunities; improving math and reading proficiency for greater high school graduation and college enrollments; and encouraging degree and/or certifications to prepare students for entry-level positions in different industries such as:

• Supporting low-income families with early childhood care and after-school programs that promote literacy, nutrition, and physical activity, so parents can work and become financially independent.
• Developing reading and math education programs, textbooks, scholarships, and special education resources, as well as summer programs to bridge gaps in learning.
• Providing literacy interventions, including tutoring and mentoring programs.
• Addressing absenteeism with effective parent and student engagement to get kids to school.
• Expanding post-secondary options through scholarships, career & technical education (CTE), and apprenticeship programs.
• Improving internet access for students to complete schoolwork, create a resume, or conduct job searches.

Food Security

Providing basic nutrition opportunities to support long-term health in adults and children such as:

• Providing accessible and affordable food production and distribution, including flexible pantry hours and mobile delivery.
• Providing navigators for affordable food sources and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment and food hubs in collaboration with schools, community colleges, and local food businesses.
• Identify food deserts for targeted assistance.

Housing/Shelter Opportunities

Providing quality, affordable housing and self-sufficiency opportunities such as:

• Providing rental assistance services, from emergency housing to long-term independent living.
• Providing security deposit assistance, hotel vouchers, and support for vulnerable populations such as families, veterans, youth aging out of foster care, and individuals facing eviction or fleeing domestic violence.

Quality of Life

Enhancing the lives of Polk County residents through arts & culture, animal welfare, and open green spaces such as:

• Developing community health and wellness initiatives.
• Strengthening local arts and culture programs.
• Promoting the stewardship of outdoor spaces.
• Improving animal welfare services with affordable care.

Transportation/Infrastructure

Navigating transportation barriers for ease of access to jobs, education, healthcare, etc.; and addressing internet access issues such as:

• Developing reliable transportation services, such as public transit collaborations and/or voucher programs.
• Providing safer transportation options, such as sidewalks, signage, etc.
• Developing transportation safety awareness campaigns.
• Providing reliable, affordable internet access.

These targeted areas aim to address systemic issues and uplift the overall quality of life in Polk County by creating equitable access to essential services and opportunities.