Gulf Coast Community Foundation Inc Grants

Community Grant sponsorship for community-based or mission-driven events. Each nonprofit may receive up to $25,000 total per fiscal year across Program Support and Event Sponsorship Grants combined. Eligible applicants: Applicants must be IRS-designated public charities actively serving Sarasota, Charlotte, or DeSoto Counties, Boca Grande, Lakewood Ranch, or Longboat Key.; Grants are not made directly to individuals.; Individual schools, booster clubs, and classrooms are not eligible. Only school-district grant requests submitted by authorized representatives of the Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto County School Districts will be considered.; Faith-based nonprofits may receive funding for efforts aligned with Gulf Coast’s priorities. Religious participation must be voluntary and must not be required within the funded event.; Grant funding may not be used for religious worship, instruction, or proselytization.; Each nonprofit may receive up to $25,000 total per fiscal year, July 1–June 30, across Program Support and Event Sponsorship Grants combined.; Organizations may apply during multiple grant cycles but may submit one Event Sponsorship application covering up to four events and one Program Support application covering up to two programs.; First-time Grantee Platform applicants must create an organizational profile before applying. Organizations already registered should not create another account and should contact communityleadership@gulfcoastcf.org if they need their username.; The applicant should be a staff member authorized to submit grant requests for the organization and serve as the primary contact during the application and grant period.; Strong applications have a current Giving Partner Profile on The Giving Partner.; Strong applications align with at least one focus area: Arts & Culture, Civic & Economic Development, Education, the Environment, or Health & Human Services, and clearly align with Gulf Coast’s mission.; Strong applications address root causes, reflect community voice and lived experience, and define success metrics and specific, measurable outcomes.; Events should have broad community reach with measurable outcomes or meaningful impact.; Events should provide meaningful recognition for Gulf Coast and opportunities for donor engagement.; Applications should include clearly defined goals and sponsorship levels.; Strong participation from Gulf Coast donors is a selection consideration.; Requests should be submitted with enough lead time to take full advantage of sponsorship benefits.; Sporting tournaments are not eligible.; Events with limited community reach are not eligible.; Organizations fundraising on behalf of another nonprofit are not eligible.; Recipients are expected to acknowledge Gulf Coast Community Foundation in appropriate communications related to the funded work; specific acknowledgment guidelines accompany the award.; A final grant report is requested one year after funds are awarded, with requirements provided in the Grant Award notice.. Geography served: Sarasota County; Charlotte County; DeSoto County; Boca Grande; Lakewood Ranch; Longboat Key, Florida. Deadline: Winter Cycle: October 15 - December 31, 2026.

Community Grant funding for mission-aligned programs. Each nonprofit may receive up to $25,000 total per fiscal year across Program Support and Event Sponsorship Grants combined. Reviewed and recommended requests that cannot be fully funded may be shared with interested donors for additional support. Eligible applicants: Applicants must be IRS-designated public charities actively serving Sarasota, Charlotte, or DeSoto Counties, Boca Grande, Lakewood Ranch, or Longboat Key.; Grants are not made directly to individuals.; Individual schools, booster clubs, and classrooms are not eligible. Only requests submitted by authorized representatives of the Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto County School Districts will be considered, and Program Support school requests must come from the office of the Superintendent.; Faith-based nonprofits may receive funding for efforts aligned with Gulf Coast’s priorities. Religious participation must be voluntary and must not be required within the funded program.; Organizations requiring religious participation by beneficiaries or employees are not eligible for Program Support.; Grant funding may not be used for religious worship, instruction, or proselytization.; Each nonprofit may receive up to $25,000 total per fiscal year, July 1–June 30, across Program Support and Event Sponsorship Grants combined.; Organizations may apply during multiple grant cycles but may submit one Program Support application covering up to two programs and one Event Sponsorship application covering up to four events.; First-time Grantee Platform applicants must create an organizational profile before applying. Organizations already registered should not create another account and should contact communityleadership@gulfcoastcf.org if they need their username.; The applicant should be a staff member authorized to submit grant requests for the organization and serve as the primary contact during the application and grant period.; Strong applications have a current Giving Partner Profile on The Giving Partner.; Applications should demonstrate clear and compelling community need aligned with at least one focus area: Arts & Culture, Civic & Economic Development, Education, the Environment, or Health & Human Services.; Applications should demonstrate that the organization is well-positioned to address the issue, including a strong local track record.; Strong applications address root causes, reflect community voice and lived experience, and clearly align with Gulf Coast’s mission.; Applications should define outputs, outcomes, success metrics, and specific, measurable results.; Medical research or disease-specific services are not eligible.; Pass-through organizations that redistribute funding are not eligible.; Projects outside the geographic service area are not eligible.; Programs launching in the region without local partners are not eligible.; Recipients are expected to acknowledge Gulf Coast Community Foundation in appropriate communications related to the funded work; specific acknowledgment guidelines accompany the award.; A final grant report is requested one year after funds are awarded, with requirements provided in the Grant Award notice.. Geography served: Sarasota County; Charlotte County; DeSoto County; Boca Grande; Lakewood Ranch; Longboat Key, Florida. Deadline: Winter Cycle: October 15 - December 31, 2026.