Best Grants for Special Education in Florida

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Broward County can seek funding for arts and culture programs, including art education, therapy, and inclusive cultural experiences in Florida. Grants from Community Foundation of Broward help expand access to the arts for youth, older adults, and special needs residents, supporting education, healing, and community engagement through diverse artistic disciplines.

Florida 501(c)(3) public charities seeking general operating or program support can access funding through the Cornelia T Bailey Charitable Trust. Projects may include environmental conservation, medical research on under-funded cancers, arts access for children, or veterans initiatives. Special education organizations that fit these priorities and serve Florida residents may be eligible.

Florida 501(c)(3) public charities, or groups with a fiscal sponsor, can seek funding for programs, projects, or operations that include special needs education and related services. The Dwayne Hawkins Family Foundation primarily supports nonprofits in the Tampa Bay area, with interests spanning education, healthcare, housing, community development, animal welfare, and veterans’ services.

Florida 501(c)(3) public charities planning special needs or disability-focused education events and programs can access funding through Dwayne Hawkins Family Foundation sponsorships and grants. Support may cover fundraising events with public recognition, benefiting areas like education, healthcare, community development, housing, and related special needs services in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations and schools serving underprivileged or at-risk students with SAT/ACT prep, college counseling, or trade-school guidance can access funding through Cornelia T Bailey. Grants up to US $25,000 support small-group test prep, mentoring, FAFSA help, and career pathways programming that may benefit students receiving special education services.

Florida 501(c)(3) public charities working in education or related human services can seek US $5,000 - US $50,000 for challenge or development projects, construction, equipment, pilot programs, or planning. With a mission to support charitable, educational, and health initiatives, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation prioritizes organizations headquartered in the Orlando MSA serving underprivileged or needy people, which may include special needs education programs.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations serving Winter Park with programs in education, health care, athleticism, spiritual health, or community engagement may be eligible for invitation-only support, which could include special education initiatives. Grants from Elinor & T.W. Miller Foundation help nonprofits whose projects benefit Winter Park, Florida and may also extend to broader surrounding areas.

Florida 501(c)(3) public charities serving children, youth, and families through education, health, and human services can receive project or general operating support benefiting primarily Miami-Dade County residents. Peacock Foundation supports programs including educational services for people with disabilities, which may include special needs education initiatives that promote well-being for South Florida’s children and families.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth, families, or seniors can seek funding for programs that support their social, economic, and general welfare. Grants from Mabel and Ellsworth Simmons Charitable Foundation help charitable and educational groups in Hillsborough County, with a special emphasis on the South Shore community, which may include special education-related services for these populations.

Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering special needs or other education, human services, health, or community programs in areas where Penn National Gaming operates can seek support for local residents. Penn National Gaming funds initiatives in Seminole County that advance education, community development, human services, cultural diversity, health, and veteran and military support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Florida and other areas where Chapman Foundation board members live can seek funding for education, children and family services, and related community programs. Grants from Chapman Foundation help support operating costs, specific projects, or endowments, with a typical maximum award of $15,000, and may benefit special education initiatives within these broader priorities.

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.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations seeking project support for education, youth, health, or community services can apply for grants of US $10,000 - US $120,000. Grants from Ocean Reef Community Foundation help fund special needs education and related programs benefiting residents of Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida City, and Homestead, with preference for innovative, leveraged projects.

Florida nonprofits, governmental entities, educational institutions, and tribes conducting breast cancer research in Florida can seek funding for innovative pilot projects. The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation supports basic, clinical, translational, epidemiological, environmental, and psycho-immunologic studies, with awards up to US $100,000 for one-year, high-impact, multidisciplinary projects that address priority areas and special emphasis topics.

With a mission to promote adult and family literacy, Florida Literacy Coalition provides Florida education and literacy organizations with a $1,000 Excellence in Education Award to recognize outstanding achievement and innovation. Community-based volunteer literacy programs, local educational agencies, and institutional literacy programs may be honored, including those supporting learners with special needs.

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.

Florida Department of Transportation

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is an executive agency and directly reports to Governor Ron DeSantis. FDOT’s continuing mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities. This mission is accomplished through a primary purpose to plan and develop (either directly or indirectly) Florida’s robust transportation system. 

Highway Safety Grant Programs

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) State Safety Office awards subgrants to traffic safety partners that undertake priority area programs and activities to improve traffic safety and eliminate crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities. Subgrants may be awarded for assisting in addressing traffic safety deficiencies, expansion of an ongoing activity, or development of a new program.

Subgrants are awarded as "seed" money to assist in the development and implementation of programs in traffic safety priority areas. Many types of organizations are eligible to receive traffic safety subgrant funding including government agencies, political subdivisions of state, local, city and county government agencies, law enforcement agencies, state colleges and state universities, school districts, fire departments, public emergency service providers, and certain qualified non-profit organizations (e.g., MADD, SADD, etc.).

Each applicant must develop a concept paper that identifies a traffic safety problem in the applicant’s jurisdiction. Applicants should provide documentation in the form of crash data of the traffic safety problem targeted by the subgrant. Concept papers must detail the activities of how the traffic safety problem will be addressed using subgrant funds.

Traffic Safety Priority Areas

The following are the priority areas that are available for subgrant funding: 1) Aging Road Users; 2) Community Traffic Safety Outreach; 3) Distracted Driving; 4) Drowsy Driving; 5) Impaired Driving; 6) Interstate Speeding Enforcement; 7) Motorcycle Safety; 8) Occupant Protection and Child Passenger Safety; 9) Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety; 10) Law Enforcement Liaison Program; 11) Public Traffic Safety Professionals Training; 12) Speed/Aggressive Driving; 13) Teen Driver Safety; 14) Traffic Records; 15) Traffic Records Coordinating Committee (TRCC); 16) Work Zone Safety.

Distracted Driving

Includes high visibility enforcement (HVE) and traffic safety programs to increase safety awareness, prevention, and education. Concept papers can address areas such as specialized enforcement, education, training, or public information efforts. Items eligible for funding under this category may include, but are not limited to, overtime for enforcement, overtime for dispatchers (as needed for larger agencies), overtime for outreach and education, overtime for subgrant reimbursement and reporting, distracted driving simulators, banners, portable message boards, and USB drives. Funding for equipment is contingent upon an evidence of need clearly defined within the problem statement and a comprehensive plan that requires the use of the requested equipment. Enforcement subgrants should focus on enforcement efforts and concepts requesting a majority of funding for equipment are discouraged. Subgrants for equipment only are not allowable. 

Florida government agencies, law enforcement, school districts, fire departments, public emergency providers, state colleges and universities, and qualified nonprofits in Florida can seek funding for impaired driving enforcement, education, and prevention efforts. Florida Department of Transportation supports initiatives like DUI checkpoints, youth alcohol education, community intervention, and related equipment that may benefit students with special needs who rely on safer roads.

Florida government agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, public emergency service providers, state colleges, school districts, and certain nonprofits can seek motorcycle safety subgrants to improve traffic safety programs. Focused on motorcycle safety, Florida Department of Transportation invites Florida special education providers with relevant traffic safety initiatives to propose concept papers addressing documented motorcycle crash problems through enforcement, training, education, or public information efforts.

Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing housing, family stability, domestic violence prevention, senior support, or healthy food access within Orlando city limits can apply for Community Investment Program grants to expand direct services. With a mission to strengthen residents’ wellbeing, the City of Orlando Office of Community Affairs supports comprehensive, inclusive programs that may benefit students with special needs and their families.

Florida nonprofits and public entities serving Brevard County can request US $1,000 - US $10,000 for programs in education, health, basic needs, arts, environment, and more. Focused on broad community impact, the Community Foundation for Brevard invites applicants, including those offering special needs education services, to strengthen local capacity and support vulnerable residents.

Florida organizations planning historic preservation, archaeology, or heritage education projects in Florida can access funding for surveys, planning, National Register nominations, heritage education, historical markers, and statewide special projects. Florida Department of State: Division of Historical Resources provides competitive grants up to US $50,000, which may benefit special education programs incorporating Florida history or historic resources.

Florida special education and children’s advocacy nonprofits can access funding through Florida Bar Foundation to provide legal services for needy children, including those needing special educational assistance. Florida-based, tax-exempt entities focused on legal services or advancing justice may apply for US $25,000 - US $315,000 to support statewide or local children’s legal programs and related pro bono efforts.

Educational institutions and 501(c)(3) organizations in Florida can seek funding for primary, secondary, higher, or vocational education programs, including special needs education, through the Gordon J. Barnett Memorial Foundation; awards range from US $1,000 - US $20,000. Grants from Gordon J. Barnett Memorial Foundation also consider institutions in Indiana, New York, and Oklahoma.

The Gordon J. Barnett Memorial Foundation, established in 1955, supports religious, charitable, scientific, and educational initiatives in Florida, with special focus on organizations aiding children and animals. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) exempt organizations, while grants are not available for political campaigns or individuals. The foundation emphasizes funding for community-driven efforts, ecological projects, and educational institutions, ensuring a broad impact across various sectors.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in northern Palm Beach County can apply for grants supporting education, health, and human and social services programs. Admirals Cove Foundation provides Florida special needs and other education groups with funding for public or charter school initiatives, wellness projects, and services for families, children, individuals, and veterans, with priority for programs serving Jupiter residents.

Florida local governments, public institutions, and similar entities can obtain funding to implement stormwater treatment, green infrastructure, septic-to-sewer, and other nonpoint source pollution reduction projects in Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provides these grants, which may benefit special education programs housed in eligible public schools or districts when projects improve water quality on their campuses.