Best Tampa Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

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.

The JetBlue Foundation is dedicated to enhancing aviation-related education and STEM initiatives, aiming to inspire future aviation leaders. Offering grants up to $50,000, it supports educational organizations that focus on aviation technology, engineering, operations, and maintenance. The foundation prioritizes programs benefiting under-represented communities in aviation, including veterans, women, and diverse groups, ensuring a broader range of voices in the industry.

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.

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.

The Housing for Everyone Grant Competition, part of the 2026 Initiative, aims to support eviction prevention in low-to moderate-income communities. This 20th annual initiative recognizes the destabilizing impact of eviction and displacement on families, which leads to job loss, school disruptions, and health issues. By funding innovative organizations, the competition seeks to provide stability for renters, enabling them to stay in their homes and communities.

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay offers annual competitive grants aimed at fostering innovation in local nonprofits. By targeting five key areas—Economic Opportunity, Environmental Resiliency, Physical Health, Education, and Community Engagement—the foundation seeks to address pressing community needs. Eligibility requires 501(c)(3) status and service in specific Florida counties. The grant process encourages collaboration and aims to create sustainable impacts, making it a vital resource for nonprofits looking to enhance their community contributions.

The Cultural Assets Program Special Events Partnership Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Hillsborough County, focusing on arts and cultural events that foster community engagement and economic growth. The grant aims to enhance cultural assets by facilitating events that tell the County's story and enrich residents' lives. Funding is competitive, with a maximum award of $100,000, encouraging projects that leverage additional financial support while meeting specific eligibility criteria.

The Historic Preservation Challenge Grant aims to foster historic preservation and heritage tourism in Hillsborough County. Eligible projects include the rehabilitation of historic structures and enhancements to historic sites, with a competitive grant award of up to $250,000. The program requires a minimum one-to-one matching contribution from applicants, which can be nonprofit organizations or private entities. This grant is strictly a reimbursement program, ensuring funds support tangible project costs.

Debartolo Family Foundation

The Debartolo Family Foundation was founded in 2001 with one goal in mind: To channel the same level of care, compassion and dedication that has allowed the DeBartolo family to find success in real estate, sports, and other ventures, into efforts that help serve the underserved communities of Tampa Bay.

For nearly two decades, we have strengthened the community by helping youth, veterans, animals, and local grassroots organizations that share our mission and values. The Foundation annually awards scholarships to students, provides back to school grants to local teachers, adopts Bay Area families during the holidays, and three times each year presents the Spirit of Humanity Award – a $25,000 donation that honors the most outstanding local philanthropic outreach programs. Since 2002, the DeBartolo Family Foundation has given nearly $17 million to strengthen Tampa Bay by bringing people together through its passion for giving back.

Spirit of Humanity Award

The DeBartolo Family Foundation’s Spirit of Humanity Award honors local nonprofit organizations that impact the Tampa Bay community in a meaningful way. Recipients of this award create unity, demonstrate hard work, and extend their outreach by helping people in need to overcome obstacles that are beyond their control. Since 2002, 60+ recipients have been recognized with the $25,000 Spirit of Humanity Award, awarded three times annually.

If you believe your organization, or an organization that you support, would be a candidate for this award, please submit the nomination form. 

The Lightning Community Hero program honors grassroots heroes making a positive impact in the Tampa Bay community. Established in 2011, it has awarded $50,000 grants to selected heroes, benefiting various charities. With 634 heroes celebrated and over $34M distributed, the program inspires community involvement and showcases the diverse contributions of individuals. Nominations are open to those aged 13 and older, encouraging participation in making a difference through volunteerism and philanthropy.

2025 Urban & Community Forestry Natural Disaster and Recovery Supplement

The scope of this program is designed to improve and reestablish urban forests in 56 peninsular Florida counties that were negatively impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton. These efforts will emphasize not just tree planting but also pruning and efforts to enhance urban forest resiliency through strong planning methods. The primary purpose is to not just replace lost canopy, but to ensure that the urban forest is more resilient to future storms, enhancing the likelihood of long-term recovery. The State of Florida anticipates an allocation of $1,500,000 to applicants through this funding opportunity.