Critical Needs Requests
While nonprofits provide services to those most in need within our community, many are often under-resourced. 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 critical needs with community philanthropists.
Critical Needs Requests
While nonprofits provide services to those most in need within our community, many are often under-resourced. 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 critical needs with community philanthropists.
How Critical Needs Requests Work
This is not a competitive grant process. It is an innovative way to share specific needs with us, our fundholders, and other philanthropists in Tampa Bay.
After completing the simplified Critical Needs Request Form, your needs for up to $250,000 will be included in a database of other requests from our community. If your nonprofit’s request is matched with a donation, we will notify you and transmit funds to address the request as quickly as possible.
After completing the simplified Critical Needs Request Form, your needs for up to $250,000 will be included in a database of other requests from our community. If your nonprofit’s request is matched with a donation, we will notify you and transmit funds to address the request as quickly as possible.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, a nonprofit must:
- Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Be serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties.
- Exhibit strong management and sound leadership.
- Must not have received a Critical Needs List grant within the current fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
Definition of a Critical Need
What constitutes a "critical need?" The nonprofit must demonstrate that the need is unexpected, urgent, not part of their regular budget, and that it either disrupts their ability to deliver essential services or poses a serious risk to their ongoing operations.
Examples of requests for need might include:
Examples of requests for need might include:
- Emergency repairs to building structures or mechanical systems (e.g., heating/cooling, water service) that disrupt service provision.
- Replacement of essential equipment and technology due to sudden failures that impact services.
- Addressing external factors that hinder mission-critical services, such as:
- Increased gas costs for transportation-based programs (e.g., mobile services, client transport)
- Enhanced security measures for organizations facing heightened safety concerns (e.g., churches, synagogues)
- Acquiring bedding to shelter refugees in response to international conflict and local influxes.
Generally, the Critical Needs List process is not designed to fund:
- Annual appeals, endowment funds, fundraising events, and capital campaigns
- Budget deficits or shortfalls
- General operating expenses, ongoing program costs, or payroll expenses
- Medical or scientific research
- Religious or sectarian purposes
- Scholarships or funding for individuals
- Support for travel, field trips, competitions, or award ceremony expenses for schools or organizations
- Support to increase services provided or new programming
- Support to increase efficiency of services provided, i.e. equipment, software, personnel, etc.
Submit Your Critical Needs Request Form
- Log in to the online grant portal.
- If you have not applied for a Community Foundation Tampa Bay grant before, you will need to create an account.
- If your organization already has an account in our portal and you would like to be added as a contact, please contact Jessica Scites, Director, Systems Alignment at jscites@cftampabay.org.
- Complete the Critical Needs Request Form online.
What Happens Next?
- You will be notified by email if selected for funding from one of our fundholders, a philanthropist, or a foundation.
- If you receive funding, your grant check will be mailed promptly after notification.
- A follow-up report will be due online three months after you receive funding.
- If your request is not selected for funding after 30 days, your request will be removed from the list and you will be notified via email.
FAQs
How soon will I know if I have been selected to receive funding?
We plan to notify you within three business days if we match your need with a donation. Grant checks will then be mailed as soon as possible following notification.
What is the maximum amount that I can request for my critical need?
Requests may be submitted for an amount up to $250,000.
Am I eligible to submit more than one form?
No, we only permit one Critical Need Request per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Please make sure that your form identifies a single need.
Is there a geographic area of focus for funding?
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay serves a five-county region, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties. Though our fundholders may recommend grants to nonprofits anywhere in the country, we will concentrate on addressing critical needs within our five-county region.
Is this a Competitive Grants process?
No. Our intention is to catalog and share critical needs of nonprofits. We will work to connect your need with donations from our own resources, including our Family Foundations, Donor Advised Fundholders, and other community philanthropists.
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