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Grants

Fall 2025 Grant Cycle

The Fall 2025 Grant application cycle is now closed. Stay tuned for info on recipients in December 2025!

September 2025 marked the launch of a pilot program for donor-designated contributions. The program — focused on five areas of local nonprofit service delivery — will distribute donor-designated contributions through two different grant opportunities.

1.) UNRESTRICTED GRANTS OF $5,000 EACH TO ENHANCE EXISTING PROGRAMS BY LOCAL NONPROFITS FOCUSED ON VETERANS, SENIORS OR YOUTH

The Mary V. Renois Family Fund was established as a permanent endowment in 2024 with the goal of providing meaningful contributions of operating support to advance the mission of nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a measurable local impact and presence in Charlotte County, FL, to effectively serve Veterans, Seniors and Youth in Charlotte County.

2.) PROGRAM GRANTS OF $10-15,000 FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS TO ADDRESS HOUSING INSECURITY OR HEALTH CARE

Established through two generous estate gifts, endowments from the Milly D. Hill Fund to Assist the Homeless and the Virginia B. Andes Health Fund, respectively, intend to advance efforts in Charlotte County, FL, that address the critical areas of housing insecurity and health care. The focus definitions are intentionally broad to reflect the complexity of these areas.

Grantees will be determined based on organizational strength in finances, leadership, and programs.

If you’re interested in serving as a volunteer grants reviewer for the Fall 2025 grant cycle, please contact Grants Manager Whitney Stout for more details: grants@charlottecf.org.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant from CCF?

Organizations must be not-for-profit with 501(c)(3) status, must have received their tax-exempt determination letter from the IRS, and align with the mission of CCF. All organizations seeking funding must be located in or provide services in Charlotte County. Your organization does not need to be headquartered in Charlotte County, but the grant funds must be used within Charlotte County.

What information is needed to apply for this grant cycle?

This grant cycle features two distinct applications. Each organization is expected to submit the application that most closely aligns with its mission and corresponds to one of the five designated funding areas.

Organizations must provide information on staffing, mission, leadership, and board engagement, along with their budget and most recent financial documents. You will also need to provide information on programs you already offer related to the funding areas and how funding would strengthen your programs.

What types of nonprofit organizations does CCF fund?

Although CCF supports nonprofit organizations of all sectors (e.g., arts & culture, health care, etc.) that align with its mission to foster philanthropy and strengthen Charlotte County for future generations, this fall cycle will focus on donor designated funds in five sector areas: Health Care, Housing Insecurity, Seniors, Veterans and Youth.

How can I apply for a grant?

Applications are submitted through our online portal, accessible via the CCF website. The portal provides detailed instructions and an easy-to-follow application. If you did not attend an informational session in advance, we encourage you to review the Zoom recording prior to applying.

When does the grant cycle open and close?

The fall grant cycle will run from September 3 – September 24, 2025, closing at 4:59pm on 9/24. Deadlines are strictly enforced to ensure a fair review process.

What are the funding areas for the fall grant cycle?

The fall grant cycle will focus on five areas of local nonprofit service delivery: Health Care, Housing Insecurity, Seniors, Veterans, and Youth. Organizational missions and programs must align with one of these five designated funding areas to be eligible to apply during this grant cycle.

Can I apply for more than one grant if my organization meets more than one funding area?

No, organizations may only submit one application during this grant cycle. If your organization qualifies for more than one funding area, we recommend selecting the program that is your strongest fit and most closely aligns with your mission and the chosen funding area.

What can the grant funds be used for?

This grant cycle will distribute donor-designated funds for specific areas.

The funds allocated for Veterans, Seniors and Youth are unrestricted, to support current and ongoing programs of nonprofits serving these populations as part of their organizational missions.

Veterans: Support to assist those who served our country to transition from military to civilian life by providing support for comprehensive services that veterans and their families may need: from job training and placement to assistance with basic needs such as food and shelter, to personal expenses and supplies. The primary objective is that veterans will be treated with dignity and respect for their service.

Seniors: Support to help retain and/or improve the quality of life for seniors in Charlotte County. While there is a preference for those who are most vulnerable, it should be recognized that circumstances such as serving as a caretaker can disrupt the lives of all equally. In recognition of this, grants for local groups that provide counseling and support groups, particularly for those suffering from Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s and their families—throughout their lives and including hospice—should be given preference.

Youth: Support to prioritize efforts that encourage young people to pursue training and educational programming for meaningful work and employment, such as learning a skilled trade. Providing expenses such as tools and equipment that may not be covered by other tuition-related scholarship assistance should be a preference. Related efforts, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access educational opportunities and to lead healthy and active lives, should also be considered.

The funds allocated for Housing Insecurity are for program support: eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations providing direct services, prevention programs, housing solutions, outreach efforts, or support systems aimed at reducing or ending homelessness. Programs serving children and youth experiencing homelessness are especially encouraged to apply.

The funds allocated for Health Care are for program support: eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations that provide direct health-related services, promote access to quality care, or engage in initiatives that improve health outcomes within the community and support the advancement of excellent health care in Charlotte County. “Health” and “health care” should be considered comprehensively to include physical health, mental and behavioral health, preventive and primary care, and nutrition and wellness.

How long will it take me to complete the application?

The application is designed to take less than two hours. The program application (for Housing Insecurity or Health Care) is more detailed.

How are grant applications evaluated?

Our new Grants Committee, comprised of trained community volunteers with area expertise, will conduct a thorough and impartial assessment of each application, based on the strength of the organization’s finances, leadership, and effectiveness of programs within the community.

When will I be notified about the decision on my application?

Applicants will receive communication via email regarding the status of their application in November, with plans for funding delivery by year end.

What happens if my application is approved? Not approved?

Approved applicants will receive an email containing an award letter outlining the grant terms, including simple reporting acknowledgements and disbursement information.

Applicants not selected for funding will be notified via email. We invite organizations to discuss their application and why it was not selected during a Zoom or phone call. Attending our informational sessions and consulting with our grants manager can offer valuable insights into strengthening future applications.

What are the reporting requirements for grant recipients?

Grantees will be asked to complete an online grant acknowledgement form within two weeks of receiving the award. One year after receiving grant funds, we invite award winners to submit a concise report (no more than three pages) detailing how the grant was used and its impact on their organization. We encourage you to report on the outcomes projected in your proposal and to use both qualitative and quantitative data.

Will there be another grant cycle in 2025?

The next grant opportunity will open in Spring 2026.

 

Whitney Stout – Grants Manager 

Phone: 941-637-0077

Email: grants@charlottecf.org

Charlotte Community Foundation

941-637-0077