Best Sarasota Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, established in 1991, has significantly impacted youth sports in Twins Territory by providing over $24 million in support. Through grants and donations, they empower young athletes, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and personal growth. The fund focuses on 501c3 nonprofits in their region, ensuring that initiatives foster both athletic skills and character development. With strict guidelines for donations, the Twins continue to enhance community engagement and inspire the next generation of leaders.

The Manasota ASALH Scholarship offers financial support to Black high school seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate leadership within their school and community. Successful candidates will undergo an interview process and must provide proof of enrollment in an accredited four-year institution to receive funds. This scholarship promotes academic achievement and community involvement among deserving students.

The St. Boniface Episcopal Church Grant aims to assist non-profit organizations in continuing Christ's ministry. By fostering partnerships, it provides financial aid and encourages parish involvement in projects that address hunger, homelessness, and children's education. The grant prioritizes works of mercy consistent with the Baptismal covenant and emphasizes programs that promote community support and engagement, aiming to build lasting relationships with recipients to respond effectively to local and global needs.

The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle empowers women through collective giving to positively impact Sarasota and Manatee communities. By supporting organizations that cater to the needs of women, children, and families, the Circle fosters awareness and mobilizes resources for lasting change. Organizations in these counties can apply for grants, provided they meet eligibility requirements, including nonprofit status verification. This initiative aims to uplift and transform communities through dedicated support.

Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and families, including those in Sarasota, Florida, can apply for Amscot’s funding to support education, enrichment, and safety programs. Eligible organizations must be at least one year old and operate in communities where Amscot has locations, with a focus on expanding opportunities for Florida’s children.

The Selby Mission

By investing in people through academic scholarships and supporting capital projects of local organizations, we look beyond what is and enable change for what can be.

Traditional Grants

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation awards “traditional grants” twice each year.

Organizations with budgets greater than $300,000 that primarily serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties have the opportunity to apply.

The Selby Foundation invests in capital support that will help nonprofits achieve more for those they serve.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

The GCCF Community Grants, offered by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, aim to enhance community well-being through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. With a focus on health, education, and cultural development, these grants support 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit residents in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Boca Grande. Grant requests are accepted on a rolling basis, ensuring timely support for impactful projects. Individual schools and booster clubs are not eligible for funding, as the foundation prioritizes broader community initiatives.

James M. Doss Sr. Charitable Foundation

Mission Statement: 

The purpose of the James M. Doss Sr. Charitable Foundation is to provide funds through a direct grant or matching grant to charitable organizations, including but not limited to Catholic faith-based organizations, college athletics programs, and children’s health and human services agencies.

Grant Guideline

The Foundation provides grants to non-profit Catholic faith-based organizations, college athletics programs, and children’s health and human services agencies. If a qualifying organization experiences a special need outside the grant cycle, consideration may be given. Grants to organizations outside the identified focus areas are awarded only in Florida’s west coast area or western North Carolina.

Animal welfare nonprofits needing emergency veterinary care or major medical equipment in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto Counties can seek up to US $25,000 for local programs. With a mission to connect donor passions to community needs, Community Foundation of Sarasota County supports 501(c)(3) charities meeting its Giving Partner profile requirements.

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, income creation, stable housing, or community empowerment in Sarasota, Florida can apply for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s local funding. Eligible organizations must serve low- and moderate-income communities within designated markets, focusing on economic mobility and vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program provides competitive funding to establish Centers of Excellence in the Gulf Coast Region. These grants support research and technology in coastal sustainability, fisheries, energy development, and economic growth. Eligible applicants can use the funds for compliance monitoring and various environmental disciplines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds are available, promoting ongoing research and innovation in the area.

The RESTORE Act Direct Component supports non-construction activities in the Gulf Coast region through a rolling application process. This funding opportunity encompasses various projects aimed at ecological restoration, workforce development, and tourism promotion, among other initiatives, as outlined by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Eligible applicants can apply for assistance to enhance natural resources, mitigate damages, and improve coastal infrastructure, ensuring sustainable development in areas affected by environmental challenges.

Sarasota, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on community and economic development can receive US $50,000 when selected as a designated charity of a Lightning Community Hero. Grants from Lightning Foundation support locally headquartered organizations serving Sarasota County and other nearby Florida counties that demonstrate strong leadership, solid finances, and proven program results.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public educational institutions supporting college students in Sarasota, Florida can access funding via Scheidel Foundation to boost college completion and career readiness. Programs that emphasize students in the academic middle and track outcomes like persistence, graduation, and post-college transitions may be invited to apply.

Tampa Bay Rays In-Kind Donation Requests

The purpose of our donation program is to assist organizations in raising necessary funds for their respective causes. Should your request be approved, you will receive all donation items within two weeks of your event date.

Focused on financial literacy and housing, The Union Home Foundation invites Sarasota, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for grants supporting family economic self-sufficiency. Eligible organizations in Sarasota County working on financial education, equitable and affordable housing, or supportive housing and shelters can seek awards of more than US $1,000, with applications accepted quarterly.

Nonprofit organizations serving Sarasota, Florida with programs in youth, education, hunger, arts, homelessness, environment, veterans, or physical and mental health can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000. Grants from Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation help Sarasota County charities improve the lives of vulnerable neighbors through mission-aligned projects.

The Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition BSN Scholarship supports aspiring nurses in the Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee, and Desoto Counties. Established by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, it aims to enhance the number of bachelor’s prepared nurses in the region. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and be accepted into an accredited nursing program. Award amounts vary, with a minimum of $2,500 based on individual circumstances, fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals.

The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance the education, health, and emotional well-being of children within the community. Funded entirely by the Suncoast Credit Union, it supports local initiatives through a unique program where every debit or credit card purchase contributes to the foundation. Since its establishment in 1990, it has allocated over $53 million in funding and scholarships, emphasizing measurable results and compliance with anti-discrimination laws for eligible organizations.

The Sarasota County Bar Association Richard R. Garland Scholarship aims to support second-year law students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing them with opportunities in the Sarasota County legal community. This $10,000 scholarship includes a required summer internship, fostering professional development through mentorship. The program encourages applicants from Florida and out-of-state law schools with ties to Sarasota County, promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.

Our Story

As a public charity dedicated to serving the needs of our region, everything we do here is about the community.

The notion of a community caring for its own is written in our organizational DNA. Our foundation was created in 1995 with proceeds from the sale of The Venice Hospital, a community hospital that had been founded by local citizens more than four decades earlier. We are a collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families, organizations, and corporations to support their favorite causes in our region and around the world. Over 850 generous philanthropists call Gulf Coast home. Together with our donors, we have invested over $650 million in grants and impact in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment.

GCCF: Catalytic Grants

Supporting bold, collaborative projects that create lasting regional impact. These grants typically exceed $25,000. 

Funding areas include: Arts & Culture, Civic & Economic Development, Education, Environment, and Health & Human Services

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Sarasota, Florida supporting children’s services, education, or hunger relief can request monetary or in-kind dining certificate support. Brinker International provides Sarasota nonprofits with one donation per year when applications are submitted online at least six weeks before an event, focusing on helping kids, addressing hunger, and supporting education.

501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in Sarasota County and other eligible Tampa Bay counties can apply for Rays Baseball Foundation’s Community Fund Grant, awarding US $5,000 to enhance existing programs. Funding supports youth empowerment, education, and critical community needs, including children’s health, mental health, disabilities, and welfare services.

The India Benton Lesser Foundation Grant supports qualified 501(c)3 organizations in Bibb County, Georgia, and surrounding areas, emphasizing healthcare initiatives, educational development, family services, and youth welfare. This grant reflects a legacy of community involvement and generosity, aiming to enhance the quality of life for residents across Central and Northeast Georgia. Organizations from Bibb, Hall, Clarke, and Sarasota Counties are encouraged to apply for funding to address local needs.

Sarasota, Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing economic opportunity or stable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Eligible organizations in Sarasota County receive a two-year leadership development experience plus a capacity-building grant to strengthen income creation, workforce readiness, small business resiliency, or affordable housing and homeownership efforts.

The Bank of America Client Foundation Grant Program supports nonprofit organizations in Sarasota, FL and Delaware, focusing on arts, education, historic preservation, and human services. Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000, averaging around $20,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities and generally receive one-year grants. The foundation prioritizes program-related funding, while avoiding grants to individuals and for general operating expenses.