Florida grants for Individuals

The Alachua County Small Farmer Grant Program is a mini-grant initiative funded by the County Commission, designed to support Alachua County-based small farms and ranches. The program aims to promote local food system economic resilience and equity, particularly for marginalized communities. This grant differs from traditional reimbursement models by offering an immediate infusion of funds upon award, recognizing that small producers may lack the immediate cash flow for capital equipment. The total funding available for this mini-grant is approximately $100,000, with individual grant requests not exceeding $5,000. The primary target beneficiaries are small producers (farms, ranches, or other agricultural operations) within Alachua County that produce foodstuffs for human consumption and have annual gross cash income between $1,000 and $250,000. There is a strong prioritization for small producers with an annual gross cash income of no more than $75,000. Furthermore, the program specifically prioritizes black, women, indigenous, and persons-of-color owned agricultural operations, aligning with broader goals of economic equity and community support. The program's key priorities and focuses include assisting Alachua County residents and supporting the immediate acquisition of capital infrastructure and equipment. This direct funding approach is intended to enhance the farm's productive capability and financial expansion, addressing a critical need for small producers who may struggle with upfront costs. The grant is not a cost reimbursement grant, emphasizing its role in providing immediate financial support. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around improving the economic viability of these small producers and increasing the resiliency of local food production. The program also aims to expand the production of related value-added farm products. Ultimately, these efforts are designed to achieve the Board's policies related to economic development, specifically by increasing economic prosperity, economic equity, and fostering a diverse tax base within Alachua County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local arts organizations and individual teaching artists to deliver enriching arts programming to K-12 students in Orange County Public Schools.

The Arts and Culture Access funding is designed to support the engagement of Orange County Public Schools students in the arts, which is associated with improvements in math, reading, cognitive abilities, critical thinking, verbal skills, motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. This initiative facilitates students' development of these skills through field trips and in-school programs that are integrated into their class curriculum. The program welcomes applications year-round, with a primary funding decision period in late summer. For priority consideration, applications should be submitted by June 30th, following the opening of the application period on June 1st.

This grant provides financial support to K–12 teachers in select Central Florida counties for classroom supplies and resources to enhance student learning and engagement.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is offering its 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to support the viability and sustainability of historically underserved farmers and ranchers. This program aims to foster projects that enhance farm viability, create new markets for local agricultural products and services, develop innovative uses for existing farm infrastructure, add value to farm products through processing, packaging, or marketing, and optimize the use of on-farm and natural resources. Additionally, the grant supports cultural and heritage projects dedicated to preserving and continuing specific agrarian traditions, reflecting RAFI's broader commitment to a resilient and equitable food system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as defined by NRCS, who are in at least their fourth full growing season and have operated their current farm for at least two years. The program specifically targets "livelihood" farmers and ranchers who depend on agriculture for their financial support or are pursuing a long-term career in farming. Eligibility extends to individual farmer owners/co-owners or farm cooperatives, provided at least 50% of the cooperative members meet the individual eligibility criteria. The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to farms located in specific states: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. Funding priorities are given to proposals demonstrating a high expected impact on farm viability and sustainability, strong project feasibility, and comprehensive planning, including a clear plan, detailed budget, timeline, and all necessary supporting documentation. RAFI also prioritizes farmers who derive a significant portion of their household income from farm operations, individuals with financial need, or those located in economically disadvantaged areas. Projects that tangibly benefit the surrounding community and farms utilizing agroecological and/or ancestral farming practices are also highly favored, reflecting RAFI's strategic priorities for holistic agricultural development and community engagement. The expected outcomes of the Infrastructure Grant Program include increased farm viability and sustainability for historically underserved farmers, the establishment of new and diversified markets for local products, and the preservation of valuable agricultural traditions. Through these grants, RAFI aims to support projects that lead to concrete improvements in farm infrastructure, expanded income streams for farmers, and a stronger connection between agricultural practices and community well-being. By focusing on these outcomes, RAFI reinforces its theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support and capacity building for underserved farmers will lead to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural landscape.

This program provides funding and support to St. Petersburg residents interested in starting mobile fresh produce businesses to improve access to healthy food in underserved neighborhoods.

The Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program is an initiative designed to propel small businesses towards both success and long-term sustainability. The core of the program is a structured, 12-week series of comprehensive workshops that guide participating entrepreneurs through the essential process of crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon the successful completion of this training component, businesses become eligible to apply for substantial $10,000 grants. This integrated approach of education and capital infusion aims to empower participants to expand their operational capacity and enhance overall business resilience. This program targets small businesses, aiming for significant positive impact within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The initiative is structured to fully support 25 businesses, who will participate in the workshops and automatically receive grant awards upon completion. An additional 10 businesses will be selected to participate in the workshop series only, with a potential for grant awards should extra funding become available. The primary impact goals, as stated by the program, are to provide access to essential support resources and ultimately drive the expansion of business capacity and the enhancement of resilience among the selected enterprises. Program selection and the distribution of grant awards are determined by a selection committee based on specific criteria that reflect the program’s community-focused priorities. The initiative places a strong focus on ensuring representation of businesses across all parts of the city, with specific priority given to enterprises located in low-to-moderate income areas. Furthermore, the selection process is designed to ensure a balanced representation of businesses across multiple economic sectors. Finally, key focuses include assessing the business's current readiness level and the potential positive impact that participation in the program is expected to generate. The program's implied theory of change is that by connecting small businesses with essential support resources and mandatory, comprehensive training, they will be positioned for accelerated growth. The expected outcomes are measurable: all participants will complete new, detailed business and marketing plans as a result of the 12-week workshops. For the grant recipients, the direct measurable result is the successful application of the $10,000 capital, which is intended to facilitate the expansion of business capacity and increase long-term operational resilience, ultimately leading to more successful and sustainable enterprises across the city.

The St. Johns Cultural Council State of the Arts Grant Program, available to public school teachers and arts organizations in St. Johns County, Florida, offers up to six $1,500 grants for the development of new or enhanced artistic programs, covering costs such as production, materials, staff salaries, professional development, and insurance for public art projects.

This funding initiative provides financial support to graduate students conducting herpetological research focused on the conservation and management of reptiles and amphibians in the southeastern United States.

This program provides financial support to individual craft, folk, and traditional artists across the U.S. to purchase essential tools and equipment that enhance their artistic practices.

This grant provides financial support to theatre educators in Marion County, Florida, to enhance educational theater experiences and to student musicians for purchasing instruments and equipment, fostering the local performing arts community.

This grant provides financial support and professional development opportunities to exceptional scriptwriters residing in the Southern United States, celebrating their contributions to the region's cultural landscape.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to licensed dairy farms in the southeastern U.S. to improve their infrastructure and operational efficiency, enhancing profitability and sustainability in the dairy industry.

This program provides financial support to neighborhood organizations in Ocoee, Florida, for community improvement projects that enhance local environments and foster civic engagement.

This program provides funding to K–12 educators in Collier County, Florida, for innovative projects that enhance student learning and engagement beyond standard school budgets.

This grant provides financial support to professional visual artists in Miami-Dade County for their artistic development and creative projects.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and eligible organizations in Florida for establishing pine forests on previously forested or suitable lands, promoting ecological and economic benefits.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits focused on community development initiatives in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, particularly in the Northeast, Florida, and Texas.

This grant provides financial support to professional artists in Hillsborough County for attending development experiences or purchasing essential equipment to advance their careers.

This grant provides financial support to Miami-based artists and cultural organizers for innovative and experimental projects that engage the local community in unconventional public spaces.