Best Sarasota Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Susan Terry Foundation Grant Program

Empowering Communities, One Grant at a Time

The Susan Terry Foundation Proudly supports local opportunities and initiatives through community-focused grants in Tampa Bay and Sarasota.

The Susan Terry Foundation is committed to strengthening communities by supporting innovative, impactful projects that serve the public good. Through our grant program, we provide funding to individuals, organizations, and research teams working on non-event initiatives that align with our mission of community enrichment and positive change.

We invite applicants with clearly defined goals, thoughtful planning, and a strong commitment to making a difference. Whether you’re launching a new program, conducting meaningful research, or developing a long-term community initiative, we encourage you to apply. This program does not fund event sponsorships or promotional activities.

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 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 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.

The Stantec Community Engagement Grant is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in communities where Stantec operates. Focused on arts, education, environment, and health and wellness, the grant supports initiatives that foster sustainable development and responsible practices. Organizations seeking funding must align with Stantec's values, emphasizing ethical practices and community impact. Preference is given to projects located near Stantec offices, ensuring a more significant local impact through their contributions.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering youth education, development, or enrichment programs in Sarasota, Florida may be eligible for this funding. Grants from Seneca Foods Foundation help communities where the company operates, with priority for groups connected to Seneca employees or facilities and working in areas like academics, youth development, and health and wellness.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Sarasota, Florida and Manatee County can apply for Impact 100 SRQ’s competitive grants of more than US $100,000 to launch or significantly expand high-impact initiatives. Funding supports clearly defined, sustainable projects in arts and culture, education, environment and recreation, animal welfare, family services, and health and wellness.

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 IMA Foundation Grant focuses on empowering communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to workforce development, financial security for families, and enhancing emergency preparedness. With a mission to provide philanthropic assistance, the foundation seeks partners that align with its vision and operational reach. Organizations must be 501c3 nonprofits and serve areas where IMA has offices, ensuring that their initiatives directly impact youth under 26 years of age.

The Paddock Foundation Grant, established by the Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation in 1967, focuses on supporting vulnerable seniors and children with disabilities. The foundation prioritizes applicants addressing essential needs, including healthcare and economic equity, particularly in Sarasota County. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and aligned with the foundation's mission. Grants are not available for political advocacy or individuals, ensuring that support goes directly to those in need.

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.

Mobile Beacon's Connect for Success program addresses the digital divide by providing schools with essential technology resources. This initiative offers up to 25 laptops and 4G devices with 12 months of complimentary high-speed internet service. By targeting students and communities facing digital inequities, the program ensures that all students can complete homework and access educational content from home. With ongoing support options available post-grant, Mobile Beacon is committed to fostering equitable learning environments and empowering educators to enhance digital inclusion.

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of community football fields. With grants up to $250,000, this initiative addresses the critical lack of safe recreation spaces in low-income neighborhoods, ensuring children and adults have access to well-maintained facilities for gathering and exercise, ultimately fostering community health and well-being.

What We Fund

Our founder, Tom Golisano, has deep and personal interest in supporting projects and initiatives that enhance the dignity and independence of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and that build inclusive communities. The Golisano Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people with IDD through transformational investments in organizations working to create inclusive communities where all citizens are valued as productive members of society.

With this in mind, the Foundation has adopted the following areas for funding consideration:

• Holds the principles of social justice in highest regard as demonstrated by agency’s mission, work and proposal; believes people with disabilities are powerful agents of change and that society as a whole benefits when all individuals reach their full potential and become contributing members of their community. 
• Supports throughout the life span and transitions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers including but not limited to the following areas: Educational support at various stages of development as well as life-long learning opportunities; employment services including supported, career development, vocational and life skills training; year-round preventative health services, fitness activities, physical and emotional wellness; expanded residential options for community living; caregiver respite; recreation; transportation, assistive technology, community awareness and advocacy. 
• Community-wide strategies that can grow best practices and effective programs to transformative scale; are easy to replicate and share broadly with the field. 
• Interdisciplinary and interagency alliances/collaborations/coalitions that bring together the expertise and perspectives of various disciplines including non-traditional human services providers such as businesses, higher education institutions, health systems, and government.
• Initiatives that target individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are underserved, isolated and/or have difficulty accessing services and programs; work to eliminate structural, economic or cultural barriers to services. 
• Person-directed services and planning with individuals and families involved in the selection, implementation and monitoring of one’s supports and services. 
• Applications for programs, capital projects and community planning initiatives related to the field of developmental disabilities will be given consideration.

We are willing and eager to partner with grantees, as appropriate, to achieve thes goals and maximize impact. Therefore the approval of a grant will be followed up with careful monitoring of the project as it unfolds. The devil is in the details, and to give responsibly means remaining involved as the project proceeds. While we rely on competent agency staff, outside consultants, and expert advisors to help us make reasoned decisions on funding and monitor the implementation of funded projects, we believe that the Foundation’s involvement in the details of a project is important to the beneficiary and the community we serve.

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation offers Community Grants aimed at supporting 501c3 non-profit organizations that focus on culinary, nutrition, and arts education, with an emphasis on life skills development. Grants are available to organizations in communities where the foundation operates, including Greater New Orleans, Austin, and Southern California. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and align with the foundation's vision of empowering youth to reach their full potential.

The First Horizon Foundation, a private charitable organization established in 1993, has committed over $100 million to various community initiatives. Focused on areas such as arts, education, environment, and health, it aims to address pressing community needs, particularly in Florida. Eligible entities include organizations in specified counties, while support is not available for individuals or certain types of organizations. The foundation's recent efforts also extend to the newly formed Louisiana First Horizon Foundation.

The Father Connie Dougherty Memorial Scholarship, established in 1975, supports Sarasota County students under 24 years old who are graduating from local high schools. Aimed at fostering education regardless of background, this scholarship is a tribute to Father Connie Dougherty's dedication to youth programs. Eligible candidates must pursue an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution, ensuring that deserving students can reach their full potential through higher education.

The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants, offered by the Woman's Exchange Inc of Sarasota, aim to support local visual and performing arts initiatives for K-12 students. These grants fund projects such as workshops, performances, and educational trips that occur during school hours. Eligible applicants must collaborate with a tax-exempt arts organization and demonstrate the project's cultural merit. Priority is given to community-oriented projects, enhancing arts education in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

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.

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.

With a mission to support visual and performing arts, Woman's Exchange provides Sarasota, Florida students with scholarships for higher education in these fields. Local high school and college students who are residents of Sarasota or Manatee County and pursuing visual or performing arts studies may be eligible to apply.