Best Grants for Community Centers in Florida

Nursing homes, advocacy groups, and related organizations in Florida can seek funding to improve quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents through the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program. Focused on resident protection, consumer engagement, facility improvement, mental and behavioral health, and workforce enhancement, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration administers these CMP funds.

State colleges and state technical centers in Florida can apply for Florida Commerce’s Job Growth Grant Fund to support public workforce training programs and related equipment. Programs must be open to the public, provide transferable, sustainable job skills, and may benefit community centers partnering with these institutions on workforce preparation initiatives.

Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local or state agencies can seek support for health access, social needs, and community well-being projects serving Broward, Miami-Dade, or Monroe County residents. With a mission to improve health in South Florida, Health Foundation of South Florida funds collaborations, technology, advocacy, and housing-related initiatives benefiting low- to moderate-income communities and other demonstrated community needs.

Florida community centers, 501(c)(3)/(4)/(6) nonprofits, and schools can access funding for cultural and community events through American Honda Motor. Grants up to US $25,000 support parades, festivals, galas, runs, and walks that celebrate local culture and heritage, primarily benefiting communities where Honda associates live and work.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations that integrate visual or performing arts into education can seek up to US $25,000 to enhance curricula, motivate students, and support educators. Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust’s P/Arts Program backs arts-based, evidence-driven learning initiatives with strong local partnerships and program space, which may include community center-based programming.

Florida arts-focused community centers and other nonprofit arts organizations with budgets under $500,000 can access funding for staff and board professional development through South Arts. These grants, up to US $1,000, support conferences, workshops, trainings, and related travel or consultant costs for organizations in South Arts’ nine-state Southern region, including Florida.

Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, tribal entities, and public schools providing community development programs can seek charitable sponsorship from Santander Bank Foundation. Focus areas include affordable housing, small business development, financial education, workforce and youth development, neighborhood revitalization, disaster relief, and broader educational, physical, and economic mobility efforts that may benefit community centers in eligible Florida counties.

Universities and research institutes in Florida conducting Alzheimer’s disease research can seek consortium funding to support collaborative clinical, basic, or translational studies. Florida Department of Health’s Ed and Ethel Moore Program backs multi-institution consortia advancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure, with awards up to US $750,000 for rigorous, statewide research partnerships.

With a mission to protect and improve health, Florida Department of Health provides Florida research institutions with pilot funding for exploratory Alzheimer’s disease studies. Universities and research institutes can propose novel projects on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or cure, including therapeutic strategies, biomarkers, epidemiology, or fellowship training, with awards up to US $100,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving low- to moderate-income communities with food insecurity, workforce development, youth programs, or AmeriCorps-supported initiatives in Florida and other Hancock Whitney service areas can seek capacity-building and sustainability support. Focused on strengthening community-based nonprofits, the Greater New Orleans Foundation and Hancock Whitney offer competitive grants up to US $25,000.

Local governments, public colleges, universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs, and nonprofits partnering with an eligible local government can seek US $10,000 - US $30,000 for coastal resilience, stewardship, access, and working waterfront projects in Florida. Grants from Florida Department of Environmental Protection help Florida community-focused organizations enhance and protect coastal resources, including projects that benefit community centers in coastal areas.

501(c)(3) arts and cultural nonprofits in Orange County, Florida can apply for United Arts of Central Florida’s venue subsidy grants, with awards up to US $60,000 for short-term rental and related venue costs. Community centers and similar public venues hosting exhibitions, performances, or seasons of cultural programming may benefit, especially in underserved or diverse communities.

Community centers, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and schools in Florida and other eligible states can seek funding to run hands-on manufacturing workforce education programs. Focused on manufacturing engineering, data analytics, and AI/automation skills, American Honda Motor invites programs that build a future-ready workforce; awards range from US $25,000 - US $100,000.

The Environment Pillar Award by Honda supports nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S. focused on sustainability. Grants aim to reduce environmental impact through programs in decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use. Eligible projects must align with Honda's mission and primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work. Organizations can apply for up to two grants, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including tax-exempt status under the IRS.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools supporting disability care and mobility services in Florida and other eligible states can apply for Honda USA Foundation’s Mobility Pillar Award, with grants from US $25,000 - US $100,000. Focused on expanding accessible mobility, it supports therapeutic or adaptive programs, comprehensive care, and mobility modifications or assistive technology.

Nonprofit organizations and schools running community services programs in Florida can seek programmatic support that aligns with Honda’s Pillar Awards. American Honda Foundation and Honda corporate fund high-impact initiatives in states where they operate, including Florida, through an annual fall application cycle with decisions announced in the spring.

Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving community services, healthcare, education, or arts and cultural events can apply for Stellar Foundation’s quarterly grants to support defined projects or programs. Organizations with the staff and resources to fully develop and complete their proposed initiatives may be especially competitive for this employee-driven corporate philanthropy funding.

The Impact Polk Grants, administered by the GiveWell Community Foundation, aim to address diverse community needs in Polk County, Florida. This annual competitive grant program supports initiatives in six key areas: economic opportunities, education, food security, housing, quality of life, and transportation. By focusing on enhancing residents' quality of life, the program targets systemic barriers and fosters equitable access to essential services, thereby promoting community resilience and growth.

Florida Kiwanis clubs and divisions in Florida can receive up to US $8,500 to run projects that support the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of children ages 0–5. Funding from Florida Kiwanis Foundation may benefit community centers offering early learning, literacy, family support, health, or playground programs for young children.

Community-based volunteer literacy programs, local educational agencies, and institutional literacy programs in Florida can receive funding for adult basic, literacy, and family literacy education. With a mission to strengthen adult and family literacy, Florida Literacy Coalition provides a US $1,000 Excellence in Education Award that community centers offering literacy services may be eligible to receive.

Robert Russell Memorial FoundationRobert Russell was a major leader of the Jewish community in Miami, nationally and in Israel. The foundation began operation in 1984 following the death of Bob. From 1984 through 2022 the foundation has provided grants totaling in excess of $36 million to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, primarily for programs in Israel and in the Jewish community of Miami.Mission:The Robert Russell Memorial Foundation seeks to support high quality and compelling programs in Israel and the U.S. Jewish community, primarily in Miami, through grants to Section 501(c)(3) organizations.Robert Russell Memorial Foundation GrantGrant requests can be for programs, general support, or a capital project.

The following are the areas of primary interest of the Foundation. Unless the request is within one of the following areas it is unlikely that it will receive funding:

• Jewish community in Miami, including social services.
• Jewish informal education and identity in Miami.
• Israel Experience programs.
• Jewish pluralistic education in Israel.
• Children at risk in Israel.
• Children and adults with disabilities in Israel.
• Social services in Israel.
• Higher education in Israel.
• Jewish news and media.
• Hillel student centers at Universities in Florida.
• Holocaust education and tolerance programs.
• Israel advocacy and Zionist initiatives.

High schools, career centers, charter technical colleges, Florida College System institutions, and other registered apprenticeship sponsors in Florida can apply for the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant to start or expand apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs. Community centers that are authorized sponsors or partner with these institutions may be eligible to support local workforce pathways.

Tides Foundation

Tides is a partner for justice in the social sector, working closely with doers and donors to build the power of historically excluded groups who face systemic barriers. We provide fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, impact investing, and a variety of grantmaking solutions to advance social justice and equity. 

Through Tides Foundation, we partner with individuals and families, foundations, corporations, and social change leaders to design and deliver social impact initiatives that shift decision-making power back to the communities we serve. Our mission is our North Star — and a beacon for those who share our commitment to social justice. Together, we work to shift resources and power to communities historically denied both, so they can create a just and equitable future.

Multi-Year Accelerator Grant

The Vote Your Voice Accelerator Infrastructure Fund is a multiyear investment in trusted, high-capacity, and deeply networked civic-engagement organizations across: Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This fund is designed to: 

• Stabilize and sustain the organizations carrying the long-term weight of democracy protection 
• Strengthen the connective tissue across state and regional ecosystems 
• Support innovation, adaptation, and emergent learning in shifting political conditions 
• Ensure frontline communities remain centered in voter engagement, protection, and shifting power to those historically denied it

Nonprofit organizations and public entities serving Brevard County can seek $1,000 - $10,000 for community programs in Florida through the Community Foundation for Brevard. Focused on broad needs including community centers, these competitive grants support areas such as basic human needs, education, health and wellness, arts and culture, environment, and community development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities supporting arts programming in Miami-Dade County, Florida can apply for US $100,000 - US $250,000 to expand arts access, arts education, and artist fellowships or residencies. The Miami Foundation’s Pérez CreARTE Grants may benefit community centers offering youth arts programs or creative spaces in Greater Miami.

Nonprofit organizations operating community programs in Florida counties within All In Credit Union’s service area can apply for its All In Credit Union Grant to enhance projects that expand services for local residents. Grants provide funds and naming-rights recognition to support community development and nonprofit growth in eligible Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi communities.

Florida public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and Federally Recognized Tribes in rural areas can use this program to build, purchase, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. Florida community centers and similar facilities can access funding through USDA Rural Development, with grant support scaled to community size and median household income.