Annual Competitive Grants
Turning Ideas Into Impact
Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s annual competitive grants process is one of the best ways for us to learn about the creative ideas of our local nonprofits. The grant submissions help us decide where to focus our discretionary grants, targeting five areas of focus: economic opportunity, environmental resiliency and sustainability, physical health and mental wellbeing, quality child and youth education, and vibrant and engaged communities.
Competitive Grant Cycle Key Dates
Grant Cycle Opens: 1/8/25
Full Applications Due: 2/7/25
Final Notification: 6/6/25
Grant Cycle Opens: 1/8/25
Full Applications Due: 2/7/25
Final Notification: 6/6/25
Nonprofits
Annual Competitive Grants
Turning Ideas Into Impact
Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s annual competitive grants process is one of the best ways for us to learn about the creative ideas of our local nonprofits. The grant submissions help us decide where to focus our discretionary grants, targeting five areas of focus: Economic Opportunity, Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability, Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing, Quality Child and Youth Education, and Vibrant and Engaged Communities.
Competitive Grant Cycle Key Dates
Final Notification: 6/6/25
Final Notification: 6/6/25
To be eligible for the annual competitive grant competition organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Be up-to-date with Internal Revenue Service 990 tax form filings and have filed for at least one fiscal year
- Be serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties
- Be able to apply under the organization’s own tax exempt EIN
- Be in compliance with all requirements of previous funds awarded through Community Foundation Tampa Bay including reporting requirements
*Organizations may be asked to verify their eligibility prior to receiving an award.
Focus Areas For Competitive Grants
Through and with our donors, we fund organizations and projects across the nonprofit spectrum. With our discretionary grants, we target five areas of focus to help us better concentrate our impact.
1
Economic Opportunity
High quality adult education, training, and skill building that leads to employment and promotes personal and financial prosperity. Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to:
- Career readiness and employment
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial literacy
- Work based learning experiences such as, internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training
- Postsecondary training and education
2
Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability
Supporting a thriving environment that is resilient and sustainable for generations to come. Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to:
- Conservation and recycling
- Environmental education
- Environmental justice
- Environmental resiliency and disaster recovery
- Land preservation
- Protection of natural resources
3
Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
Access to resources that address an individual’s health and wellbeing including basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, physical, and mental health services. This focus area has three separate categories: basic needs, mental health and trauma services, and health and wellness. Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to:
- Basic Needs:
- Clothing and other essential needs
- Emergency and transitional housing
- Feeding programs
- Safety, security, and legal services
- Transportation assistance
- Mental Health and Trauma Services:
- Mental health services
- Substance misuse rehabilitation
- Trauma informed care
- Health and Wellness:
- Community based medical clinics
- Diagnostic screening such as vision and hearing
- Educational and awareness programs
- Promoting healthy minds and bodies
4
Quality Child and Youth Education
Access to high-quality, affordable, personalized learning opportunities, from birth through high school. Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to:
- Career exploration
- Child and youth development
- Digital inclusion and digital literacy
- Early literacy programs
- Enrichment programs
- Kindergarten readiness
- Social emotional learning
5
Vibrant and Engaged Communities
Vibrant spaces and inclusive programming for residents to enjoy, thrive, engage, and work. Eligible programs in this focus area may include, but are not limited to:
- Access to arts and culture for those with disabilities
- Arts and culture projects that addresses complex social issues
- Art programming in low-income communities
- Creating community spaces including gardens and parks
- Development of community art
- Facilitating community collaborations and conversations
1
Economic Opportunity
2
Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability
3
Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
4
Quality Child and Youth Education
5
Vibrant and Engaged Communities
.jpg)
How Competitive Grants Work
Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s competitive grants process has two stages: letter of intent and full application. During the specified timeframe, eligible nonprofits may submit a letter of intent (LOI) to outline a funding need. We will then review the LOIs and invite several to proceed to a full application.
After you submit your LOI, you will be notified by email if you are invited to move to the next step, which is a full application. The full application and all subsequent steps are submitted through the same online grant portal. If your letter of intent is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle.
If awarded, you will then need to complete a grant acceptance agreement, and your grant check will be mailed.
If your full application is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle.
After you submit your LOI, you will be notified by email if you are invited to move to the next step, which is a full application. The full application and all subsequent steps are submitted through the same online grant portal. If your letter of intent is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle.
If awarded, you will then need to complete a grant acceptance agreement, and your grant check will be mailed.
If your full application is denied, you are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle.
Acknowledgment and Reporting
We encourage you to acknowledge your grant from Community Foundation Tampa Bay—whether you receive the grant through the competitive grants process or as a grant from one of our donor advised funds or foundations. Please share on your website, social media, newsletter, and other appropriate places. You will find guidelines and helpful information in the Brand Toolkit.
View Brand ToolkitFAQs
Is there anything you don’t fund with competitive grants?
Generally, our competitive grants are not designed to fund: Academic scholarships, annual appeals, capital campaigns, fundraising events, membership contributions, etc., capital funding for building and building renovations, general operating and administrative costs, grants to individuals (rent, utilities, etc.), medical or scientific research, political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts, religious or sectarian purposes.
What type of reporting is required for grants that are funded?
Nonprofits that receive a competitive grant are required to submit a final report within a year of receiving the grant. The report must include demographic information about those served by the project, measurement metrics and a final budget that details how the grant was spent.
Do you give preference to previous applicants?
There is no preference given to previous applicants.
What is your typical grant amount?
Our average competitive grant award ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
What if my organization provides programming in the Tampa Bay Area but is headquartered elsewhere?
Any nonprofit serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando or Citrus counties is eligible to compete for a grant.
What kinds of projects receive competitive grants funding?
View Previous Grants Awarded for examples of proposals that have received funding in the past.
How competitive is the process?
During the last competitive grant cycle about 1 in 7 Letters of Intent (LOIs) received funding. Of those invited to submit a full application, about 1/2 were funded.
Critical Needs List
While nonprofits provide services to those most in need within our community, many are often under-resourced, and a single unexpected event can dramatically impact their ability to provide crucial services. To address these unexpected needs, Community Foundation Tampa Bay has created the Critical Needs List for nonprofits to share those urgent, unexpected needs with community philanthropists, separate from the Competitive Grants, as an additional path for funding support.
Learn More
.png)
%20(1).png)