Best Highlands County Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Highlands County, Florida working with children, youth services, or hunger relief can receive monetary or in-kind dining certificate support through Brinker International’s charitable giving program. Brinker International provides Highlands County nonprofits with one donation per year to strengthen kids’ health, food access, and education-focused community efforts.

Highlands County, Florida nonprofits and community organizations involved in academics, medical, athletics, or the arts can access funding through Thakkar Family Foundation to support local programs and services. Eligible groups should be located in Highlands County or nearby focus areas and align their requests with the foundation’s mission to improve communities.

Adult education, ESOL, and family literacy programs in Highlands County, Florida can apply for Florida Literacy Coalition’s Florida Financial Literacy Initiative Grants; awards up to US $5,000 to integrate financial education with literacy and math instruction. Eligible programs include those serving parents and children through comprehensive family literacy components.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Highlands County, Florida working on urban forestry recovery and resilience can apply for funding from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. With a mission to restore storm-damaged urban forests, this program provides US $5,000 - US $75,000 for tree planting, pruning, and planning to improve long-term canopy resilience.

Organizations restoring or enhancing longleaf pine or bottomland hardwood forests in Highlands County, Florida can seek $250,000 to $3,000,000 for on-the-ground conservation projects. Grants from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation help forestry and habitat restoration efforts across the historical longleaf pine range, supporting voluntary restoration, enhancement, and conservation activities.

Highlands County, Florida housing organizations focused on eviction prevention and renter stability can access funding through TD Charitable Foundation. The Housing for Everyone Competition supports innovative early-intervention programs in low- to moderate-income communities, with awards ranging from US $1,000,000 - US $2,000,000 for select real estate and housing initiatives.

Highlands County, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children’s education, health, or emotional well-being can access funding through the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Grant Program. Eligible organizations must be at least two years old, comply with anti-discrimination laws, and be located in a county served by Suncoast Credit Union, including Highlands County.

Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and families, including those in Highlands County, Florida, can apply for Amscot’s funding to expand education, enrichment, and safety programs. Eligible organizations must be in good standing for at least one year and operate in communities where Amscot has a presence.

Nonprofit and for-profit organizations hosting community-focused events or activities in Highlands County, Florida can seek sponsorship support to positively impact local communities. Grants from TD Charitable Foundation help Highlands County community services and environmental initiatives that engage TD Bank colleagues, build local relationships, and create public-facing opportunities benefiting both the community and the bank.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Highlands County, Florida can seek up to US $20,000 for workforce development, K-12 energy education, climate resiliency, and inclusive economic opportunity projects. With a mission to power community vitality, Duke Energy Foundation provides rolling, year-round support for programs serving communities in its Piedmont Natural Gas service area.

Community Transportation Coordinators and non-traditional transportation service providers in Highlands County, Florida can apply for the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged’s Innovative Service Development Grant; awards up to US $750,000 to test new or expanded transportation services for transportation disadvantaged individuals, improving cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and accessibility, including underserved or cross-county trips.

With a mission to conserve threatened forestlands, Florida Forest Service provides Highlands County, Florida landowners and public partners with funding to acquire or place conservation easements on environmentally important forests. Eligible participants can sell land or development rights to keep forests intact, supporting sustainable management and long-term land and habitat conservation.

Nonprofit organizations running community, health, education, or environmental programs in Highlands County, Florida can apply for regional grants of more than US $5,000. With a mission to improve quality of life, TD Charitable Foundation provides support especially for initiatives serving diverse, historically underserved, or low-to-moderate income populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local governments in Highlands County, Florida can receive funding to provide job-related classes and courses for their employees. Grants from TD Charitable Foundation help organizations serving low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities build staff skills while advancing work in areas like financial literacy, education, housing, and business development.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public entities running food access and nutrition programs in Highlands County, Florida can access funding through Bayer Fund to combat malnutrition and hunger. Support focuses on education that drives healthy eating behavior change and food security efforts like pantries, backpack programs, soup kitchens, gardens, and other nutritious food distribution initiatives.

Highlands County, Florida environmental and conservation organizations can access funding through Restore America’s Estuaries to address threats to estuaries, including habitat loss, coastal resilience, stormwater runoff, and harmful algal blooms. This nationally competitive program offers US $200,000 - US $500,000 for projects within eligible National Estuary Program watershed boundary areas.

Joseph G Markoly Foundation Inc

When Joseph Markoly originally established the foundation more than thirty years ago, its focus was on Alzheimer’s and heart disease support, funded through a number of the larger national disease-related organizations. Over time the focus has shifted to helping small to mid-size organizations in our local communities which support children and seniors in a variety of effective ways. 

Markoly Foundation was established in honor of Joseph G. Markoly, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who wanted to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Joseph’s family was affected directly by both Alzheimer’s and heart disease having lost a family member to each condition. For that reason, the foundation dedicates a majority of their resources to providing grants to organizations that focus on the treatment of each of these diseases. In addition, Markoly Foundation supports a variety of programs dedicated to helping children and seniors by providing services, supplies, programs and research in areas impacting these demographics.

Joseph G. Markoly Foundation Grant Support for Elder Organizations

The Markoly Foundation takes pride in supporting local organizations that provide services for elders in our community. Seniors face a number of challenges that come with aging, especially when they don’t have loved ones who are able to assist them with their needs. We provide grants for a variety of senior-related programs from Caregiver Education and Support to Emergency Meal Delivery and Transportation Services.

We are dedicated to providing funding for local nonprofit programs that improve the quality of life for all, but particularly for the children and elders in our community.

With a mission to conserve natural resources, the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation provides Highlands County, Florida environmental nonprofits with US $10,000 - US $40,000 for conservation initiatives. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must typically offer a 1:1 match and demonstrate 100% board giving; site-specific projects focus on South Florida ecosystems, including eligible Highlands County areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities in Highlands County, Florida can seek up to US $20,000 for programs in workforce development, climate resiliency, and justice, equity and inclusion. Grants from Duke Energy Foundation help eligible Florida communities served by Duke Energy deliver measurable economic, environmental, and opportunity-focused impact.

Rural Infrastructure Fund

The Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) facilitates planning, preparing, and financing of infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation, capital investment and the strengthening and diversification of rural economies. RIF funds are often used by rural communities as a match for other infrastructure funding programs, such as those offered by the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant, United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development, and the United States Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 RIF Available Funding

A total of $27 million in funding is available through RIF for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027. Funding in the amount of $22 million is available for eligible rural communities statewide. Additionally, $5 million is available to Panhandle Specific counties including Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington.

Up to $300,000 can be awarded for infrastructure feasibility studies, design and engineering activities, or other infrastructure planning and preparation activities.

• Projects located outside a Rural Area of Opportunity - $75,000 with 50% local funds match.
• Projects located within a Rural Area of Opportunity - $300,000
• Projects located within a catalyst site (as defined in Section 288.0656, Florida Statutes): maximum amounts same as above. Local funds match requirements may be waived pursuant to the process in Section 288.06561, Florida Statutes.

Units of local government in small urban and rural areas of Highlands County, Florida can seek funding for community development projects such as housing rehabilitation, infrastructure, parks, and downtown revitalization. Florida Commerce administers this HUD-funded Small Cities CDBG program, which also supports economic development activities that create or retain jobs for low- and moderate-income residents.

The Culpeper Rotary Foundation Scholarship supports residents of Culpeper County pursuing a four-year degree. With a $1,000 award renewable for four years, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process, emphasizing community involvement. This initiative reflects NPCF's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region, ensuring that local students have the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

The RMD Music Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, offers a $12,000 renewable scholarship for graduating seniors from Fauquier or Rappahannock County public schools pursuing a music degree at an accredited institution. Eligible students must demonstrate leadership and motivation, and must audition in their senior year while providing proof of acceptance into a university music program. Renewal depends on maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.7.

The Pauline H. Bruce Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, offers $2,000 to students in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock counties. This scholarship honors Pauline Bruce, a dedicated educator with over 40 years of service in local public schools. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a strong desire and aptitude for success in their college education, reflecting the spirit of community and educational excellence.

The Alice and William Johnson Foundation Scholarship is managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, aimed at supporting graduating seniors from Fauquier County public high schools. This scholarship, which values education and community commitment, provides $5,000 annually for four-year universities and $2,500 for two-year schools, with renewal options available. Priority is given to students demonstrating financial need, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their educational aspirations.

The Mary Beth Williams Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, honors the life of Mary Beth Williams, who tragically passed away in 1997. This scholarship supports students from Rappahannock County with a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrating financial need, and pursuing higher education in agriculture or related fields. Award amounts vary, reflecting the foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the community.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Witzleben Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school graduate(s) residing on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota and North Dakota

The Witzleben twins are proud to be descendants of people who lived on the land now known as the Standing Rock Reservation. Their father, Camillus Witzleben, was born in South Dakota to parents who both worked in education. He became a medical doctor and later taught at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Camillus inherited land on the Standing Rock Reservation from his father, and he passed it on to his daughters, including the twins. Through the establishment of this scholarship, the sisters aim to support a resident of the Standing Rock Reservation in pursuing their education. This scholarship is a way to honor their ancestors and celebrate their own native heritage.