Grant FAQ

As one of Florida’s largest community foundations, the Community Foundation works for Palm Beach and Martin Counties in multiple ways, playing multiple roles. For donors, the Foundation offers an effective way to manage giving by providing expert philanthropic advice rooted in a deep knowledge of our community and an array of philanthropic vehicles and services. For the community, the Foundation serves as a grantmaker and a civic leader and awards grants to the region’s nonprofits to help meet community needs, fulfill donors’ philanthropic wishes and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Using local knowledge, networks, influence, and creativity, the Foundation brings people together to improve the community’s quality of life now and in the future. Founded in 1972, the Foundation has awarded over $150 million in grants and scholarships in Palm Beach and Martin Counties.

We require that all applicant organizations are designated as current 501(c)(3) organizations from the IRS and are in good standing with the State of Florida. In very rare cases it is possible for an organization who does not have 501(c)(3) status to apply using a fiscal sponsor with tax exempt status. 

Applying for a grant is simple on our new Online Grant Interface at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfpbmc. Contact Community Impact Assistant, Alexandra Boyle, with any technical questions. 

The following are our three funding areas:

Community Revitalization 

Definition: Improvements in economic, physical infrastructure, health and social conditions for distressed neighborhoods.

Educational Attainment 

Definition: Supplemental support for the academic achievement of students in pre-kindergarten through high school, support for low-income and first-generation students entering college and vocational programs, and adult workforce development programs leading to education beyond a high school diploma.

Positive Youth Development

Definition: Positive youth development is an intentional, pro-social approach that engages youth in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths’ strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths (The Federal Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs.)

Funding in additional areas is available through donor-advised or directed funds, generally by invitation only.

Community Foundation staff will review all Letters of Interest and invite a select number grantees to submit a full proposal. Community Foundation staff will review and rate all proposals and may arrange site visits as needed. Final grant decisions will be recommended by the Community Impact Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

Specific reporting requirements are being developed and will be provided with the grant application materials. Mini-grant recipients will report once at the end of the grant period. Impact grant recipients will report mid-year and at the end of the grant period.

Yes, each application is considered on its own merits. Our competitive process is typically open only once a year so contact Community Impact staff to check on the current grant cycle.

An organization can submit one application in each of our focus areas if the applications are for different projects/programs.

Grants from donor-advised funds are made to nonprofit organizations based on the donor’s areas of interest. For many of the donor-advised funds, there is no formal application process. Our staff may request an application from specific organizations that meet donor intent. Staff often work with our fundholders to identify opportunities which match their interests for philanthropic investments. Because of this, we highly recommend that you keep the Community Impact staff abreast of current projects or events you may be having.

We will not consider competitive grant requests for any of the following:

• annual appeal
• capital campaigns or capital projects
• deficit financing
• for-profit, parochial, charter, private, or individual public schools
• fundraising event
• open space purchase
• nonprofit endowments
• requests for a specific individual
• requests to support religious or political causes, or to organizations organized for religious or political purposes

Yes, provided the funds are not used for religious purposes.

We do not provide assistance with writing proposals. We recommend checking out the resources available on Nonprofits First's website and contacting them if you are in need of grant-writing assistance.

Staff time is quite limited due to the sheer volume of requests. However, we are happy to talk over the phone to clarify eligibility questions or technology issues provided there is adequate time. We do not review or critique individual proposals or answers.

No. However, if you are a graduating high school senior, please refer to our scholarship page to learn more about that program.