Best Disaster Preparedness and Relief Grants in Florida

Florida Kiwanis Foundation

The Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971 by Former Kiwanis Governor Robert Thal. Since 1971, Florida Kiwanis Foundation has been supporting Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, and students make a real impact in the state of Florida.

Our Purpose: To leave a legacy for the children. We are dedicated to supporting Florida Youth to ensure a brighter future and leave a legacy for the children.

Mission: Help children in need. To enable caring individuals, clubs, and divisions to combine their resources of time, talent, and funds to create a greater impact on the needs of children and families in Florida.

Emergency Grants

The Emergency Grant program is new to the Foundation, established during the 2011-2012 administrative year but based on an older concept that was applied during the time of Hurricane Charley.

The Foundation contributes to the Emergency Fund each year and funds are also collected from private donations designated for “emergency fund” through the year.

In the case of an emergency disaster somewhere in the Florida District of Kiwanis, the Foundation President and the District Governor will meet to confirm the existence of an emergency disaster and then formally declare select areas of the District as a Disaster Area and that funds are available from the Florida Kiwanis Foundation.

Emergency Grant requests shall be sent by club letterhead to the Foundation Office. Maximum requests for funds shall be $2,000.00. Funds will be available until the existing fund is depleted.

The Emergency funds need not be matched by the club and do not need to be for capital improvements. Expenditures for food, clothing, temporary comfort, both physical and emotional are acceptable.

The Urban and Community Forestry - Inflation Reduction Act Grant aims to enhance urban forest management in Florida, promoting the retention and expansion of community tree canopies. This initiative emphasizes the importance of trees in urban settings, highlighting their benefits such as increased property values, improved mental and physical health, and reduced environmental issues. By educating communities on proper tree care and green infrastructure, the program strives to optimize the ecological and social advantages of urban forestry.

The Andrews Family Foundation offers Board Grants to public, non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Focused on enhancing communities through education, humanitarian work, and the arts, the foundation aims to foster individual growth. Established in 1993 in Chicago, it continues a legacy of community commitment. Grant proposals are reviewed quarterly, with final awards decided by the Board. Eligible organizations must have a budget between $1M and $4M and provide opportunities for board member involvement.

Nonprofits, government entities, and faith-based organizations in Florida can seek support for disaster relief, preparedness, and long-term community health through the Humana Foundation’s Community Partners Grant Program. Funding may cover emergency response, recovery, and preparedness efforts that address health equity, including mental health, substance use, nutrition, and food security after crises.

The Healthy Communities Grant Program, previously known as Build Healthy, Strong Communities, is dedicated to improving community health in partnership with nonprofit organizations. The Florida Blue Foundation aims to address critical local issues, creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. Through this initiative, they are committed to fostering better health outcomes and empowering neighbors to reach their full potential.

The Florida Legal Aid Disaster Relief Initiative, funded by the Florida Bar Foundation Inc, provides emergency financial support for organizations offering civil legal aid to communities impacted by disasters like hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to assist low-income Floridians in need of legal services during such crises. Grant amounts vary based on available funding, and applicants must be non-profit entities with specific operational requirements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing disaster relief or humanitarian aid in Florida and the broader Southern region can seek support for single-year projects. Robinson Foundation provides Florida disaster preparedness and relief groups with funding that creates tangible, meaningful impact, particularly for children and families, poverty relief, medical assistance, and related community needs.

About WD-40 Company

At WD-40 Company, we are dedicated to creating positive lasting memories in every interaction we have. Our company is headquartered in San Diego, California, where it was founded in 1953, when chemists set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to get their water displacing formula to work, but on the 40th attempt, they got it right in a big way and WD-40® Multi-Use Product was born. WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula.

Today our small but mighty team of less than 700 people live and work in 18 countries and speak more than seven languages and live in too many time zones to count. Our products live under the kitchen sinks, in the garages and toolboxes of the world, and have loyal end-users and dedicated fans in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide who rely on our portfolio of well-known and popular brands to solve their everyday problems. We create opportunities. We solve problems. We make things run smoothly.

Giving Back Through the WD-40 Company Memory Making Fund

For more than 40 years, WD-40 Company has supported communities by partnering with nonprofit organizations and programs. Our Memory Making Fund, managed by the employee-led Community Involvement Committee, reflects our social mission and commitment to meaningful impact.

We practice transformational philanthropy—a systemic, collaborative approach to grantmaking focused on long-term change.

Introduction – Let’s build a better future together

501(c)(3) charitable organizations that work in the disaster preparedness space in the U.S. are invited to apply for a Water-Related Disaster Preparation Grant. WD-40 Company and its Memory Making Fund are interested in helping communities prone to hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and flooding to prepare for – and recover from – these events, protecting equipment, machinery, tools, and other valuables and reduce the economic impact of these events.

About Our Priority of Preparation

We are looking for one or more charitable partners to help us reduce the impact of disasters —including water-related disasters— by helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. When essential infrastructure and equipment is properly prepared and maintained before a water-related disaster strikes, businesses and consumers benefit. We seek to partner with organizations that have a demonstrated track record with disaster preparedness. We are eager to share our expertise in preventing rust and corrosion caused by water, along with offering tips, tools, product donations, and education on water-related preparedness.

The James E. Huffer and Betty J. Huffer Foundation aims to support non-profit organizations that enhance community welfare through educational, artistic, and humanitarian initiatives. The foundation prioritizes multidisciplinary efforts that demonstrate a strong commitment to regional service and impactful contributions. Focus areas include arts, environmental stewardship, health sciences, and youth education. Organizations must confirm tax-exempt status and provide financial documentation to be considered for funding.

The Hurricane Loss Mitigation Grant Program, established by Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, aims to reduce hurricane damage through state-funded initiatives. With a budget of $7 million, it supports property retrofits, public education, and research to enhance resilience. Up to $3.5 million is allocated for community projects that promote wind and flood mitigation. The program collaborates with local entities to implement various activities, including inspections and localized flood risk reduction, ensuring compliance with the Florida Building Code.

The Coastal Partnership Initiative Grant Program provides competitive funding from the NOAA to support Florida's coastal counties and municipalities in managing coastal resources effectively. Eligible applicants include local governments, public colleges, and nonprofits, focusing on climate resilience, resource stewardship, public access, and waterfront revitalization. The program aims to enhance community preparedness against natural hazards, promote environmental awareness, and improve coastal infrastructure, ensuring sustainable development and protection of Florida's unique coastal ecosystems.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It is a partnership that is designed to assist states, local governments, private non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration.

Project Eligibility Criteria

Now that you have idea of project eligibility we can move to the final step in this primer.

Regardless of who you are, or what organization your represent, the process for applying for HMGP funds begins at the county level with each county’s LMSWG. They alone determine which eligible mitigation projects will be placed on their project priority list. They use this list to track and organize projects from across their county that they want to submit for funding consideration for the HMGP. If you would like to request that an eligible mitigation project be added to your county’s project priority list, then please use the county contact list below to get in touch with them.