Best Okaloosa County Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Okaloosa County, Florida supporting children, youth services, or hunger relief can request monetary or in-kind dining certificate donations. Focused on kids, hunger, and education, Brinker International invites eligible charities to apply at least six weeks before events for one donation per calendar year.

Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program

Overview

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal program that provides funding for housing and community development activities. Congress created the program when it passed the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

The program, which is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), consists of two components:

FloridaCommerce administers the State Program in Florida through the Small Cities CDBG Program. This is a competitive grant program that awards funds to units of local government in small urban and rural areas. FloridaCommerce receives between 18 and 26 million dollars annually from HUD to award subgrants to eligible units of local government.

The program provides an excellent opportunity for communities to obtain funds for projects that they cannot otherwise afford. CDBG funds can also provide administrative support for local governments that may not have the staffing resources necessary to administer their projects. Examples of CDBG-funded projects include:

• Water and Sewer Improvements,
• Rehabilitation of Substandard Housing,
• Street and Sidewalk Improvements,
• Economic Development Activities that Create Jobs for Low-and Moderate-Income People,
• Downtown Revitalization, including Facade Improvements, Streetscaping, and Underground Utilities,
• Park Facilities and Community Centers, and
• Drainage / Stormwater Improvements.

Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Application Cycle

Funding is available for the Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, and Commercial Revitalization program areas. Non-entitlement units of local government are eligible to apply for funding in any of the three program areas if they have an open CDBG subgrant in one of the three areas.

FloridaCommerce also has funding available in the Economic Development program area for job creation and/or retention activities. Non-entitlement units of local government that have an open Neighborhood Revitalization, Housing Rehabilitation, Commercial Revitalization, or Economic Development subgrant are eligible to apply for Economic Development funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Northwest Florida communities, including Okaloosa County, Florida, can seek project-specific funding to improve the lives of people in need. Bear Family Foundation supports community services by funding defined projects and may restrict awards to particular performance areas to ensure the success of the proposed initiative.

Catholic school educators in Extension Dioceses, including Okaloosa County, Florida, can apply for Catholic Extension’s leadership development grant; awards are valued at $19,817 per student for graduate-level training. Funding covers most tuition plus travel for Loyola Marymount University’s Catholic School Administration certificate, building mission-focused, operational, and instructional leadership capacity in K–12 Catholic schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local government entities in Okaloosa County, Florida can apply for Georgia-Pacific Foundation’s community grants to support education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment initiatives. Eligible applicants must be located within 30 miles of a Georgia-Pacific manufacturing community and serve communities connected to Georgia-Pacific operations.

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on affordable housing, skilled trades training, clean water, sanitation, or local economic wellbeing in Okaloosa County, Florida can apply for Ferguson’s Ferguson Cares Grant. Eligible organizations must be within Ferguson’s geographic footprint and based in the U.S., with projects that fit these stated focus areas.

501(c)(3) organizations promoting safe sports or outdoor activities, or supporting first responder programs in Okaloosa County, Florida can apply for Academy Sports + Outdoors’ donation program. Eligible initiatives must serve groups such as leagues, associations, or school districts and take place in a community with a local Academy Sports + Outdoors store.

The Stellar Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations focused on enhancing healthcare, education, cultural events, and community services. Established by the Stellar Foundation in 2006, these grants encourage employee engagement in philanthropy and community development. Applications are accepted quarterly, with a focus on projects that demonstrate clear goals and community impact. Organizations must possess the necessary resources to implement their initiatives effectively.

Nonprofit land trusts and public agencies in Okaloosa County, Florida can access funding through the Florida Forest Legacy Program to conserve forestland and prevent conversion to non-forest uses. Florida Forest Service provides support for acquiring land or conservation easements that keep forests intact while maintaining private ownership and long-term environmental values.

Mission Catholic dioceses planning monumental events or bishop education in Okaloosa County, Florida may be eligible for Francis Grants, which fund major diocesan occasions and continued formation. Administered by Catholic Extension, support goes directly to pre-approved poor dioceses, not individual parishes or separate nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofit organizations in Okaloosa County, Florida seeking to enhance projects that expand community services can apply for support from All In Credit Union. All In Credit Union provides local charities in its service area with funding for project enhancements that increase services to community members, which may benefit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Okaloosa County residents.

The Florida Financial Literacy Initiative Grants, established by the Florida Literacy Coalition in partnership with Wells Fargo, aim to enhance financial literacy among participants in adult education and family literacy programs. Grants of up to $5,000 will support these programs in integrating financial education into their curricula. By focusing on parent-child interactive literacy activities and providing essential training for parents, the initiative promotes lifelong financial skills and well-being within communities across Florida.

The Radiance Gives Fund Grant, established in 2022 by Radiance Technologies, supports 501(c)(3) organizations in local communities. This employee-run charitable initiative ensures that 100% of contributions go directly to grant awards, enhancing community impact. With no administrative fees deducted, Radiance empowers its employees to make meaningful contributions to the causes they care about, fostering a culture of giving and community support.

The Torch Helps Grant provides $10,000 to non-profit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This funding aims to support local charities that deliver essential health and human services to underserved populations. Eligible organizations must operate in the communities where Torch Technologies employees reside and must ensure services are accessible to all, regardless of background. Grants are awarded quarterly, and applications are accepted anytime but must meet specific deadlines.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food. Our programs and activities are so varied and extensive, they touch the life of just about every Floridian.

Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program

The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program is offered to eligible non-industrial private forest landowners by the Florida Forest Service through temporary grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.

Periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks in Florida have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres. The goal of this program is to minimize southern pine beetle damage in Florida by helping forest landowners conduct management practices that can make their pine stands less susceptible to this destructive insect pest.

Forest management practices such as thinning, prescribed burning, other competition control, and use of less-susceptible pine species can improve the health of pine stands and decrease their likelihood of developing southern pine beetle

All payments are made at specified per-acre or per-seedling rates.

The Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund Grant, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), provides funding for projects aimed at restoring and conserving longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood forests. With approximately $30 million available for 2024, grants range from $250,000 to $3,000,000. This initiative, supported by various federal and private entities, emphasizes the importance of ecological preservation and sustainable land management practices.

Okaloosa County, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing food access, homelessness, or military and veterans services can access funding via SpartanNash Foundation if they align with its Hunger, Heroes and Hope focus. Eligible organizations must be within 30 miles of a SpartanNash office, distribution center, or retail store to support local communities.

Okaloosa County, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing culinary, nutrition, or arts education with a life-skills focus can access funding through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Community Grant program. Support may cover capital or programmatic needs that help vulnerable youth build life skills, meet basic needs, and connect healthy eating with long-term success.

Catholic dioceses and parishes in Extension dioceses, including those serving Okaloosa County, Florida, can seek funding to construct, expand, or renovate Catholic churches and related facilities. Grants from Catholic Extension help under-resourced Catholic communities with minor repair and equipment needs or major building projects through matching challenges, with awards up to US $100,000.

Okaloosa County, Florida Catholic nonprofits and diocesan ministries focused on Catholicism can access funding through Catholic Extension to sustain basic pastoral and administrative services in under-resourced areas. Support may include salary subsidies for pastoral leaders and administrators, essential operating costs like heating and travel, and other core resources, but is limited to approved Extension Dioceses.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Okaloosa County, Florida can apply for BAE Systems’ community investment grants to support military personnel, veterans and their families, or STEM education for young people. Eligible charities must show strong organizational health, including a solid charity rating, and align with BAE Systems’ focus on future workforce and community well-being.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing early childhood education or economic development programs in Okaloosa County, Florida can apply for PNC Foundation’s Foundation Grant. Funding supports initiatives for children birth to five, low- and moderate-income families, affordable housing, small business support, community services, arts and culture, and neighborhood revitalization in communities where PNC has a significant presence.

Catholic dioceses and parishes in Okaloosa County, Florida can access funding through Catholic Extension to recruit, educate, and develop ordained and lay church leaders. Support covers seminarians, deacons, and lay or religious leaders, including tuition subsidies, recruitment efforts, professional development, and ongoing formation opportunities in designated mission dioceses.

IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Okaloosa and Walton Counties, aiming to fund high-impact projects that transform lives. Grants start at $100,000, with specific focus areas including education, environment, family, health & recreation, and arts & culture. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and serve local communities. The grant process encourages collaboration among nonprofits, fostering innovative solutions for community needs.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

The Northwest Florida Grant, previously known as Gulf Power Foundation Grants, is supported by NextEra Energy Foundation. It focuses on enhancing communities in Northwest Florida, promoting sustainability and innovation. Eligible nonprofit organizations must operate within specific counties, be 501(c)(3) certified, and not have received a quarterly grant in the past year. This initiative aims to foster opportunities and safety for diverse communities.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company, one of the largest employee-managed funds globally, empowers its workers to make impactful donations for over 60 years. The Ft. Walton Beach Chapter accepts grant applications from local nonprofits focusing on community services, particularly in STEM, Veterans' support, environmental needs, and children's health. This initiative allows employees to contribute to their communities through pooled resources, enhancing the outreach and effectiveness of charitable efforts.