Florida Private Grants

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County that help residents meet essential needs like food, housing, and transportation during economic hardships.

The Community Foundation's Community Opportunity Grant Program aims to enhance the quality of life across Grand Forks, Walsh, or Polk County by supporting programs, projects, and activities in areas such as Community & Human Services, Environmental Sustainability, and Human Rights. The program is designed to conserve natural resources, promote human services, and encourage understanding and respect for human rights through various means, including education and conflict resolution. A preference is given to new projects or programs and/or new grant applicants. The grants are available to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public entities like libraries and schools, or units of government that meet the eligibility criteria.

Florida Humanities’ Community Project Grants are designed to support public humanities programming throughout Florida. These grants align with the foundation's mission to preserve, promote, and share Florida's history, literature, culture, and personal stories, thereby offering Floridians a deeper understanding of themselves, their communities, and their state. The program seeks to strengthen vibrant communities and cultures, promote civic engagement, spark thoughtful community dialogue, and encourage reflection on the human experience. The target beneficiaries for these grants are nonprofit cultural organizations across Florida, as well as Florida-based nonprofits and public agencies, including libraries, museums, schools, and tribal governments. Higher education departments within Florida colleges and universities are also eligible. The primary impact goal is to increase public participation in and access to the humanities by providing relevant, engaging, and meaningful humanities-based programming to all Floridians, including broad general public audiences and new or underserved communities. The program prioritizes projects that are deeply rooted in the humanities and humanities scholarship, involving humanities scholars, community experts, or subject area experts in both development and delivery. Key focuses include programming that fosters connections between different communities or demographic groups, promotes networking and collaboration between institutions, and links humanities-associated organizations with other community partners. All supported projects must be free or not cost-prohibitive for the public to attend. Special consideration is given to small to mid-sized organizations with budgets under $1 million and applicants located in Rural Areas of Opportunity. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased public engagement with humanities content, enhanced community dialogue, and strengthened cultural understanding. The grants aim to generate various forms of public humanities programming such as media projects (podcasts, film, radio), community conversations, interpretive exhibits, lectures, reading/film-and-discussion programs, cultural festivals, oral history projects, and interpretive tours. These activities collectively contribute to the foundation's strategic priorities by fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry that appreciates Florida's diverse heritage. The foundation's theory of change posits that by investing in accessible, high-quality humanities programming, they can cultivate a more reflective, connected, and civically engaged populace. By empowering local organizations and experts to deliver these experiences, Florida Humanities believes it can achieve widespread impact, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Florida's human experience is preserved and shared for future generations, ultimately contributing to stronger, more vibrant communities across the state.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

The Uyeno Foundation offers grant funding to support local nonprofits in Southwest Florida that address the needs of individuals facing mental health challenges. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in fostering positive mental health through various initiatives, including prevention, intervention, treatment, and education. This aligns with their vision of a community where access to mental health support services is universal, irrespective of income or ability to pay, thereby removing existing barriers. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are individuals and families experiencing mental health-related illnesses. The foundation aims to impact these lives by funding organizations that provide direct mental health support services. This includes a focus on promoting positive mental health through a comprehensive approach that covers prevention, intervention, treatment, and educational programs. The Uyeno Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on ensuring that mental health support services are accessible and available to those who need them most. Their theory of change is predicated on the belief that by funding initiatives that promote positive mental health, they can achieve a community free from barriers to mental health support. This is evident in their requirement for grantee organizations to provide direct services and have a non-discrimination policy. The expected outcomes of this grant program include improved mental health outcomes for individuals and families in Lee, Collier, and Palm Beach Counties. Measurable results would likely stem from the success of the prevention, intervention, treatment, and education programs implemented by the grantee organizations. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the foundation's emphasis on comprehensive support suggests a commitment to tangible, positive changes in mental well-being within the community.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Volusia and Flagler Counties to enhance programs focused on education, financial stability, and health for community improvement.

The National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program is investing $50 million in the Gulf Futures Challenge to fund projects addressing critical challenges in the Gulf region. The Challenge aims to discover and promote innovative and transformative solutions by leveraging the talent and knowledge of the Gulf's people. The competition focuses on three main areas: energy transition, environmental change along the coast, and healthy and resilient communities. Up to ten finalists will receive up to $1 million in project development support, with two finalists awarded $20 million each to implement their solutions. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and academic institutions from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, with projects located within 100 miles of the Gulf coastline. The registration deadline is August 20, 2024, and the application deadline is September 20, 2024.

The St. Joe Community Foundation offers grants to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, excluding those with religious or political affiliations whose grant purpose is political or religious activities. The foundation primarily focuses on organizations based in Bay and/or Walton County, Florida, or recognized county chapters of state or national charities serving residents of these counties. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster long-term improvements in the quality of life within Northwest Florida, specifically Bay and Walton counties. The foundation's strategic priorities are built around four pillars: Supporting Cultural Arts, Strengthening Education, Improving Healthcare, and Protecting the Environment. Each pillar guides the types of projects and initiatives that are funded. For example, "Supporting Cultural Arts" aims to cultivate, develop, educate, and improve cultural experiences, while "Strengthening Education" focuses on improving educational processes or access for children and adults. "Improving Healthcare" seeks to positively impact physical and mental health, and "Protecting the Environment" is dedicated to preserving and restoring natural resources. Target beneficiaries are residents of Bay and Walton counties, encompassing children and adults in need of improved education or healthcare, as well as the broader community benefiting from cultural arts and environmental protection. The impact goals are centered on making Northwest Florida a better place to live and fostering fundamental improvements in the quality of life. The foundation's theory of change emphasizes funding programs that promise long-term returns on quality of life, are structured for sustainable impact, demonstrate a track record of success or reasonable probability of success, and leverage support from others. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in cultural experiences, educational access and quality, community health and wellness, and the preservation of natural resources. The foundation looks for programs that include a plan for measuring success and financial accountability. While grants generally range from $1,000 to $50,000, the stated size of the grant for this specific opportunity is $10,000 to $100,000. The St. Joe Community Foundation typically does not fund administrative or overhead costs, reimbursements, brick and mortar projects, individual causes, for-profit organizations, or political campaigns, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct programmatic impact.

This funding opportunity supports educational projects that enhance community resilience and environmental literacy in the Gulf States by engaging learners of all ages in addressing local environmental challenges.

This program provides financial support to rural nonprofit and governmental organizations in select Southern states for presenting touring artists across various disciplines, including film, performing arts, and visual arts.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide career development programs for Black youth aged 14-24 in designated NBA markets.

The Foundation for New Education Initiatives, Inc. (FNEI) is a direct-support organization of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. FNEI is sponsoring the 2024-2025 Mini-Grant Competition for Schools, which aligns with its mission to support and enhance innovative and creative educational activities that lead to student achievement. This grant program is designed to fund special projects and educational tools, continuing a legacy of over $300,000 awarded to classroom projects since the competition's inception. The target beneficiaries for this mini-grant competition are all pre-K through grade 12 schools, including alternative schools, primary learning centers, and specialized centers within Miami-Dade County, Florida. The primary impact goal is to promote and enhance innovative and/or creative educational activities which lead to student academic achievement. The program seeks to empower educators to implement projects that directly benefit students and improve learning outcomes. The program prioritizes special projects and educational tools that foster innovation and creativity in the classroom. Focus areas include initiatives that can be implemented through individual classroom activities, school-wide programs, or District initiatives. This also extends to before- or after-school enrichment programs, broadening the scope of impact for student populations. Funds can be used for a variety of educational needs, such as materials, equipment, field trips, entrance fees, bus rentals, and general supplies. Expected outcomes include improved student academic achievement through engaging and innovative educational experiences. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond "student achievement," the program's structure implies a focus on the successful implementation of funded projects and their direct positive influence on students. The strategic priority of FNEI, as demonstrated by this competition, is to support educators in developing and delivering high-quality, impactful learning opportunities, thereby contributing to a theory of change where innovative educational funding directly correlates with enhanced student performance and engagement.

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 opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Miami-Dade County that enhance existing programs and community outreach initiatives aimed at improving services for children and families.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofits and community organizations for initiatives that address community needs and promote positive impact in areas where the company operates.

This grant provides funding to small nonprofit organizations in Collier County, Florida, to strengthen their operational capacity and sustainability through various capacity-building initiatives.

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 grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Key West and Stock Island, Florida, to assist economically disadvantaged individuals through initiatives in education, health, and human services.

This grant provides financial support to theatre educators in Marion County, Florida, to enhance educational theater experiences and promote socially relevant topics, while also offering funds to promising student musicians for their growth in music education.