The Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) provides grants to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to support impactful projects in areas such as arts, human services, education, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and health. Since 1998, MCF has awarded over $56 million in scholarships and grants, driven by the charitable goals of its donors to make a meaningful difference in Manatee County, Florida.

MCF operates three grant cycles annually. For Cycle 2 of Fiscal Year 2025, applications opened on November 1, 2024, and must be submitted by February 1, 2025. Notifications of application status will be provided by February 28, 2025. Nonprofits may apply for grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the availability of funds. Organizations may only have one open grant project with MCF at a time and are required to submit a final report for prior projects before applying again.

The Grants Committee evaluates applications based on their service to Manatee County residents, alignment with priority areas, proven success in beneficiary impact, and evidence of strong governance and sustainability practices. While MCF does not fund individuals, political campaigns, scholarly research, or unrelated conduit organizations, it may consider capital items like vans or computers, though leadership gifts for capital campaigns are not awarded. Applicants are encouraged to focus on project-specific budgets rather than submitting entire organizational budgets.

Religious organizations are eligible to apply if their projects are accessible to all community members, regardless of faith, and do not involve active evangelization. Additionally, schools seeking funding are encouraged to collaborate with the Manatee County School District for projects aimed at systemic educational improvements.

MCF uses the AwardSpring grant system, which allows applicants to save progress and submit online. New applicants must create an account to access the application. Required documentation includes a project budget, and specific data must pertain only to services provided within Manatee County, even for organizations that serve broader areas.

For questions or technical assistance, applicants can contact the foundation at (941) 747-7765. Additional guidance, such as FAQs and application support, is available on MCF’s website, or organizations can schedule a virtual Zoom meeting for further clarification.