Community Foundation Tampa Bay was established in 1990, and for 35 years we’ve been working alongside donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to drive meaningful, lasting change across the region.

Today, we are proud to be amongst the largest community foundations in the nation. This reflects not only our strong growth—but the extraordinary generosity and philanthropic spirit of the Tampa Bay region.

It also makes sense given the scale of our work. We serve a diverse, five-county area—Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus—making our footprint one of the largest among community foundations nationally. Our growth is a testament to the people and partners who believe in building a stronger future for everyone in our community.

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Community Foundation Tampa Bay has surpassed $1 billion in total philanthropic dollars committed to the future of Tampa Bay. This reflects the generosity of thousands of donors and fundholders—and a powerful commitment to creating lasting impact throughout our region.

Not exactly. A significant portion of that $1 billion is endowed, meaning the principal is invested to generate additional philanthropic dollars every year—providing support to the community in perpetuity. Many of our funds are also donor-advised, giving fundholders the flexibility to decide when and how their dollars are distributed. This model allows us to balance immediate support with long-term sustainability. Learn more about how the Community Foundation helps individuals invest their philanthropic dollars. 

Each year, the Foundation distributes millions of dollars to nonprofits addressing local needs—and that number grows as we grow. For example, last year together with fundholders Community Foundation Tampa Bay distributed over $32 Million in grant funding to 1,231 nonprofits. Additionally, after recent hurricanes, we were able to rapidly deploy over $5 million in emergency relief. The $1 billion milestone strengthens our ability to respond to urgent needs while also building capacity for the future. Learn more about Our Impact.

We understand that needs in the community are real and often urgent. That’s why we support both short-term and long-term solutions. Our structure as a community foundation ensures we can meet today’s challenges without depleting resources that will be needed in the future. It’s about doing the most good—now and in the years ahead.

Many of our funds are donor-directed, meaning fundholders recommend the nonprofits and causes they care most about. We also award strategic grants based on community priorities and a competitive grants process, and we work closely with nonprofits, local leaders, and partners across sectors to understand where we can make the greatest impact.

Absolutely. We regularly work with fundholders who want to make an immediate impact. Whether that’s addressing food insecurity, expanding early childhood education, or responding to natural disasters, we help connect donors to the nonprofits doing meaningful work in those spaces. Learn more about Our Work.

This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. In addition to growing our grantmaking, we’re investing in new efforts, designed to bring together people, data, and ideas to drive change across Tampa Bay. Stay tuned as we continue to build on this momentum.

We’d love for you to be involved! Whether you’re a donor, nonprofit partner, business leader, or simply someone who cares about your community, there are many ways to make a difference.

Visit the following pages on our website to learn more:

• Start a Fund – Explore how you can create a lasting philanthropic legacy.
• For Nonprofits – Learn about grant opportunities and resources.
• Our Work – See the results of our work and the partnerships driving change.
• Foundation Stories– Be inspired by the people and projects shaping Tampa Bay’s future.
• Give Now – Make a gift to support current community needs.

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