Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

The Art & Culture Grant aims to enhance community well-being through the arts, highlighting their importance in fostering connection and creativity. The Community Foundation of Broward supports nonprofits in expanding access to diverse cultural programs that engage all residents, including marginalized groups. The initiative seeks to revitalize the arts sector, which has faced economic challenges, by funding projects that promote healing, dialogue, and the celebration of cultural heritage across Broward County.

The Auto Club Group Foundation focuses on creating a positive impact through grants that enhance traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy across 14 U.S. states and two territories. With a mission rooted in community service, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations and government entities that align with its goals. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, addressing crucial areas such as traffic safety initiatives, financial literacy for K-12 students, and equitable access to driver education programs.

The Peacock Foundation Inc. grants support the health and well-being of South Florida's children and families through contributions to eligible 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes proposals that address human services, education, health, youth, elderly care, disabilities, arts for educational purposes, and environmental education. All applicants must submit a letter of inquiry detailing their mission, project description, community served, and funding request. The foundation does not fund capital campaigns, individuals, or lobbying efforts.

South Arts, Inc. offers Professional Development Grants for Arts Organizations to enhance the skills and knowledge of Southern arts entities. These grants aim to support operational stability and growth, focusing on organizations with budgets of $500,000 or less. Eligible applicants include a range of arts organizations within South Arts' nine-state service area. The program emphasizes first-time opportunities and requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match, ensuring a commitment to professional development in the arts.

The Riverside Hospital Foundation offers Innovation Grants to support new healthcare initiatives in Northeast Florida. Established in 1991, the Foundation aims to enhance access to quality healthcare across five counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns. Eligible applicants include public and private nonprofits, as well as faith-based organizations. Grants focus on projects with measurable outcomes, self-sustaining funding, and the potential for replication, all aimed at improving healthcare delivery and effectiveness in the region.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Florida provides essential funding for the development of clean drinking water and effective waste disposal systems in rural areas. It supports the construction and improvement of drinking water and sewage systems, solid waste management, and stormwater drainage. Eligible applicants include local governments, private nonprofits, and tribes, ensuring access to vital services for communities with limited commercial credit options.

South Arts Inc

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, South Arts is a nonprofit regional arts organization empowering artists, organizations, and communities, and increasing access to arts and culture.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Arts Agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee — with additional funding from other public and private donors such as the Doris Duke Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and Mellon Foundation — South Arts supports artists and organizations through a rich and responsive portfolio of grants, fellowships, and programs. Why? Because South Arts believes that the arts elevate the region, increasing connectedness and inspiring meaningful change in the process.

Our mission: Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

Arts in Community Grants

Program Description

Arts in Community Grants are designed to support deeper engagements between Southern communities and artists. Through these grants supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, we aim to increase access to the arts, expand audiences for artists, and broaden our reach. Eligible projects require a Southern artist/company visiting another Southern state for public activities, offering access to arts programming by professional artists. Funding supports Southern film directors, traditional artists, visual artists, performing artists, or writers:

• film (documentary, fiction, experimental, and animation),
• traditional arts (music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts/crafts),
• visual arts (crafts, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media),
• performing arts (theater, music, opera, musical theater, and dance), and
• literary arts (fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry).

Projects require an artist or artist ensemble and a host or partner organization. Project must include at least two in-person or live, virtual public activities – both a public presentation (a film screening, performance, reading, or exhibition) and an educational/community engagement activity (a workshop, demonstration, lecture, facilitated discussion, or master class). The grant requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Victory Cup InitiativeMission: Victory Cup brings nonprofit organizations to the mainstage, so that everyone in Central Florida knows what they do, how they do it and why it’s important for our community.What we Do: 

• Inspire - Inspire excellence in our community, one story at a time.
• Teach - Teach nonprofits to be master class story tellers.
• Fund - Inspire generosity by rewarding selected nonprofits with cash to help fund their mission.
• Promote - Promote collaboration within the nonprofit sector among organizations by building relationships and fostering communication.
• Partner: Partner with the influential business community to address our community’s greatest needs.

Victory Cup Initiative Grant n addition to storytelling training, we provide quarterly support to all VCI Alumni, and help improve every aspect of their nonprofit operations. Speaking at the VCI Breakfast isn’t the ending, but instead the beginning of a journey of operating at a higher level of excellence.How does it work? 

• Apply -Nonprofits from Central Florida apply to be selected into our highly coveted program.
• The Selection - Community champion review and score the submitted applications, selecting 10 finalists. 
• Story Training - 10 finalists undergo storytelling training and improve their abilities to communicate their visions.
• The Big Pitch - Finalists tell their story in front of hundreds of potential volunteers, donors, and valuable connectors. 
• Everyone Wins - All 10 nonprofits go home with cash prizes, and audience members leave inspired.

The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation Grant supports nonprofits focused on charitable, educational, and cultural initiatives primarily in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Monterey County, California. New applicants must submit a Letter of Intent, while returning applicants can directly submit proposals. The foundation prioritizes projects with clearly defined outcomes in areas like arts, education, health care, and community services. Grants are typically awarded for one year, promoting impactful community improvements.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Florida aim to support rural communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that disrupt access to safe drinking water. These grants, provided by USDA Rural Development, can be utilized for constructing water transmission lines and sources, with funding up to $1 million. Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in rural areas. This initiative enhances community resilience against various disasters, ensuring access to reliable water supply.

The St. Joe Community Foundation, established in 1999, aims to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Florida through grants to 501(c)(3) organizations. Focused on education, environmental stewardship, health, and cultural arts, the foundation prioritizes projects that promise long-term community benefits. Organizations based in Bay and Walton Counties are eligible to apply, fostering sustainable civic infrastructure to support the unique character and heritage of the region.

The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant, in collaboration with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, invites applications from eligible nonprofits starting October 7, 2025. This grant aims to enhance capacity building and sustainability for organizations focused on food insecurity, workforce development, and youth programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving low to moderate-income communities within Hancock Whitney's service areas, fostering impactful changes with AmeriCorps support.

The Doyle Foundation, Inc. offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S., supporting a variety of causes. Founded by Frank and Gertrude R. Doyle, the foundation initially focused on scholarships for local students but has since expanded its reach to nonprofit grants. With no minimum GPA or income cap for applicants, the foundation aims to empower diverse communities by funding educational pursuits and enhancing quality of life. Its mission reflects the Doyles' legacy of opportunity and community service.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

South Arts, Inc. offers Literary Arts Grants to support Southern independent publishers and small presses with funding up to $5,000. These grants aim to amplify contemporary literary arts and foster community engagement through projects like reading series and festivals. Eligible applicants must be based in the South Arts Region and demonstrate a commitment to advancing literary traditions. This initiative enhances access to the arts and promotes cultural vitality across the Southern states.

South Arts Inc. is offering Literary Arts Grants to support writers, independent publishers, and literary organizations focusing on contemporary literature in the Southern U.S. Grants of up to $5,000 will fund projects in poetry, fiction, and other genres. Eligible applicants must be full-time residents of the South Arts region. The initiative aims to amplify the literary traditions of the American South, fostering creativity and community engagement through diverse literary projects.

The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, aims to preserve green spaces by funding local governments and eligible nonprofits for park and open space acquisitions. This initiative not only enhances outdoor recreation but also supports conservation efforts aligned with local comprehensive plans. A minimum 25% match is required from local governments, while smaller municipalities and nonprofits may have different criteria. Applications are accepted from November 3, 2025, to January 19, 2026.

The CFNF Share Your Story Video Challenge Grant provides $1,500 grants to nonprofit organizations in Leon County that serve Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) individuals. This initiative encourages nonprofits to showcase their impact through video storytelling, highlighting their support for the community. The Community Foundation of North Florida, in partnership with Prime Meridian Bank, aims to empower these organizations to enhance their outreach and operational capabilities while fostering community engagement.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Florida aim to support small rural businesses with training and technical assistance. These grants are available for projects benefiting areas with populations under 50,000, focusing on enterprise and opportunity grants. Funds can be used for various purposes, including business planning, infrastructure development, and community economic growth. Prioritization is given to smaller funding requests, enhancing the potential for impactful local development.

The Admirals Cove Foundation Grant supports programs that enhance education, health, and social services for individuals and families in northern Palm Beach County. Focused on local impact, it encourages nonprofits to apply, especially those benefiting Jupiter residents. The foundation emphasizes transparency and accountability in its philanthropic efforts, ensuring contributions lead to meaningful community improvements.

The Dr. P. Phillips Legacy Microgrant Program, supported by Dr. Phillips Charities, offers annual grants of $5,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations in Central Florida. Prioritizing projects that alleviate economic pressures on low-income families or enhance literacy, it seeks to foster community support and lasting impact. Eligible nonprofits must be based in Orange or Osceola Counties and have been operational for at least two years. This initiative honors the Phillips family's legacy of helping others help themselves.