Community Impact Grants
The Community Foundation of South Lake opens it’s annual Community Impact Grant Cycle (competitive grants) during January of each year. We did not host our annual cycle for 2019. Instead, we have directed our focus on special projects and will conduct a summer grant cycle targeting Homelessness Prevention and Intervention as well as Education. Details for that cycle will be updated below.
Funders around the world see collective impact as a new and more effective process for social change. Research has been proven that using a focused, strategic approach in the granting produces a more measurable impact when that strategy employs efforts in collaboration, data driven performance, focused target areas, and additional funding sources.
The Community Foundation of South Lake is a catalyst for change in our community. Each year, competitive grants are awarded to local non-profit organizations from the income and interest accumulated from our unrestricted funds. In order to be eligible to apply for funding, your non-profit must meet our grant requirements (listed below) and a representative must attend our Grant workshop and award presentation. If you have any questions regarding grants, email Brittany@cfslc.org.
Community Foundation of South Lake County Grant Guidelines
Applicants are required to attend the Grant Workshop scheduled prior to the opening of each grant cycle. All grant applications are completed through our online grant site unless otherwise noted.
- Grant funding must serve residents of South Lake County tax district; includes cities of Clermont, Montverde, Groveland, Mascotte, Ferndale, Minneola, and Stuckey.
- Must be an active and in good-standing 501(c)3 organization.
- Awards up to $25,000
- Must have been an active organization for at least 3 years (and provide 1 year of financial history).
- Must attend the mandatory Grant Application Workshop.
- Must fully complete the application including required attachments.
- Applicants are encouraged to attend our Non-profit Sustainability workshops and activities throughout the year.
All applications are submitted electronically through our new system. System will be available Summer 2019
- CFSLC Program Budget Template- available soon
- CFSLC Organizational Budget Template- available soon
Usual Grant Cycle Timeline:
January 21th-February 28th: Application submissions
March 1st–March 30th: Review of applications
April: Grant Committee Evaluations and funding designations, Notifications to applicants
April/May: Grants awarded to applicants
2019 Summer Grant Cycle Timeline:
June 12th (9:00am): Mandatory Grant Workshop RSVP HERE
June 17th–July 19th: Submit Applications
July-August: Application reviews and evaluations
September: Funding designations and notifications to applicants
October: Grants awarded to applicants
The BIG Idea Grant
We regret to inform you that, The Foundation will not have a BIG Idea cycle for 2019.
The Community Foundation of South Lake is calling non-profit organizations to ‘think big’ to make a lasting impact to our community, to collaborate with other non-profits and entities to make a real difference. The needs of our neighbors are many times much greater than what the eye can see or even what they may voice. It is often times a combination of adverse situations that cause a drastic situation.
We would like to see our non-profits come together to combat areas of need, in a collective impact way, creating streamlines of services or support.
The Big Idea must serve South Lake County and prove evidenced needs in the community. Collaborations need to be well thought out, planned, and have intentional impact goals that can be measured.
Collaborative Examples include:
Sample A Feeding organization, partners with Goodwill and a food truck association to establish a mobile grocery to bring fresh produce and low-cost stables to low-income neighborhoods.
Sample B Health organization, partners with Boys and Girls Club, a church, and a farmer to build community gardens and a sustainable food infrastructure (including a tilapia farm).
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Next dates for The Big Idea are TBD.
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Award range of $25,000 to $50,000
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Requires a letter of intent (2 page max) outlining the program, as well as, partnerships and funding opportunities.
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Collaboration is required.
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Invitations for full applications are offered upon approval of the Letter of Intent.
ALL Grant Requirements
Grants made competitively through our Grant cycle are limited to:
- Tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations certified by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code
- Grant must be for the direct benefit of the South Lake County Community which includes communities within the Hospital Tax District and encompasses: Clermont (south to 4-corners included), Ferndale, Groveland, Mascotte, Minneola, Stuckey, and Montverde; please note, this does not mean your organization cannot be from an area outside the tax district, just the grant must directly benefit the South Lake community. Grants from our Family of Funds are not subject to this limitation.
- Minimum of three years of financial and program data. Financial data must be provided, and IRS 501(c)(3) tax return for a 12-month period prior to application.
- Public schools are eligible to apply; funds must be granted to the school, which can then be distributed accordingly.
- Public libraries are eligible to apply.
Ineligible Grant Requests
The following requests are not eligible for funding from the Community Foundation of South Lake unrestricted pool of assets:
- Endowments
- Capital Campaigns
- Fundraising expenses, sponsorship, or thrift stores
- Infrastructure improvements when the land/building is not owned by the organization
- No support for religious organizations for religious purposes
- Indirect costs or overhead expenses
- Lobbying, activism, or litigation
If you have any questions pertaining to Grants, please contact Brittany, by calling 352-394-3818 or emailing Brittany@cfslc.org.