Grants

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The next grant opportunity will open in Spring 2026.