Small Grant Initiative

The Small Grant Initiative is administered by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, the governing body responsible for public services and community development in Alachua County, Florida. Through its Community Support Services division, the County provides funding opportunities to support local organizations that directly serve residents, particularly those experiencing economic hardship. The initiative reflects the County’s commitment to strengthening grassroots organizations and small businesses that contribute to social and economic stability within the community. The purpose of the Small Grant Initiative is to provide targeted financial support to nonprofit grassroots organizations and emerging small businesses that serve residents living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The program is designed to enhance organizational capacity and improve infrastructure so that these entities can better deliver essential services. Funding is intended to support one time projects rather than ongoing operational costs, ensuring that recipients build sustainable improvements that extend beyond the grant period. Eligible projects must address at least one of the program’s priority areas, which include safe and affordable housing, access to adequate food, quality health care, and quality childcare and education. These focus areas reflect key community needs identified by the County and are intended to improve quality of life for vulnerable populations. Funds may be used for capacity building or infrastructure improvements that directly enhance service delivery in these areas, but applicants must ensure that their proposals align clearly with one or more of the stated priorities. Eligibility requirements specify that applicants must be non governmental entities, including nonprofit organizations and emerging small businesses with a physical presence in Alachua County. Emerging small businesses are defined as those with 25 or fewer permanent full time employees and a net worth not exceeding one million dollars. Additionally, applicants must be registered with the Florida Department of State prior to submission and must operate as stand alone entities rather than subsidiaries of larger organizations. Each eligible organization is limited to submitting one application. Applications must be submitted electronically through the OpenGov procurement portal. The process requires applicants to review the full Request for Applications documentation, complete all required forms, and submit their proposal by the stated deadline. Late submissions or incomplete applications that fail to meet eligibility criteria will not be considered. While no mandatory pre application requirement exists, an optional workshop is offered to provide guidance on navigating the portal and preparing a competitive proposal. The application timeline includes a release date in July, an optional pre application workshop in early August, and a firm submission deadline of August 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted by August 16, 2026. Following submission, applications are reviewed according to established evaluation procedures outlined in the solicitation documents. Awards are contingent upon County Commission appropriation, and the grant performance period is expected to run from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. For additional information, applicants may contact the Community Initiatives and Grants Program Manager. Contact details are provided for direct communication regarding eligibility, application procedures, and program requirements. The initiative does not explicitly state recurring cycles, but it may be reissued periodically depending on County priorities and funding availability.

Review full RFA before applying and ensure project aligns clearly with one or more priority areas; attend optional workshop for guidance