Last year, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay provided almost $20.2 million in grants. About $1 million of the funds was awarded through our competitive grants process.
We’ve made a few changes this year. We have honed our focus areas and shifted the timing of our competitive grants cycle. We based our focus areas in part on the 2019 Regional Competitiveness Report. The report is a data-based assessment of Tampa Bay’s strengths and weaknesses as compared to 19 other peer communities.
The Community Foundation’s new focus areas:
- Community Vibrancy: Improving access to arts, culture and environmental resources.
- Economic Mobility: Expanding the number of people with access to postsecondary education.
- Empowering Women and Girls: Addressing the health, safety and economic opportunity needs of at-risk women.
- Mental Well-Being: Fostering a state of well-being so individuals can realize their potential.
- Positive Education: Encouraging students to connect their interests with their academic careers.
Projects will be selected for funding based on these priorities. The Community Foundation is able to fund nearly half of all grant applications we receive. Almost all of the proposals submitted to us meet the minimum requirements.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money to fund every good idea. But we are committed to also sharing the proposals with our donors and friends of the Foundation to find funding for as many good ideas as possible.
Most of the grants proposals that were submitted in the past will still be viable candidates for funding under the new focus areas. They simply will be evaluated through a different lens.
Applications for competitive grants will be accepted through Nov. 22, 2019.
Learn more about applying for a competitive grant.
