Apply for a Grant

The Community Foundation of South Lake is honored to have been a resource in our community for COVID-19 response funding.

In partnership with Morgridge Family Foundation, Live Well Foundation of South Lake and numerous donors, together we dispersed $125,350 to Lake County non-profits during April and May 2020. Because of these efforts, thousands of families were fed, our elderly were provided support services and over 50 families were able to remain housed.

The Community Foundation of South Lake opens it’s annual Community Impact Grant Cycle (competitive grants) during June/July of each year. 2022 we will be conjoining the CFSLC Impact Grant Cycle and the Women’s Giving Alliance grant cycle into one application. That’s right! If you meet WGA’s qualifications AND submit additional information, your application will be applied to their grant cycle as well. Click to download WGA’s Grant Cycle information.

Grant Requirements and Guidelines

Grant Requirements:

Non-mandatory Grant Application Q&A was held virtually on June 16, 2022, 1:30pm-2:15pm.
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 fully complete the application including required attachments.
Applicants are encouraged to attend our Non-profit Sustainability workshops and activities throughout the year.
Must adhere to parameters provided for each grant cycle and/or type.
A representative should be able to attend the Award Presentation in October/November; (we will continue to monitor safety as it pertains to the in-person activities).

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.

What We Don't Fund Through Grant Requests

The following requests are not eligible for funding from the Community Foundation of South Lake unrestricted pool of assets:

Organizations that are not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
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
Lobbying, activism, or litigation
Grants to individuals (rent, utilities, etc.)

If you have any questions pertaining to Grants, please contact Brittany, by calling 352-394-3818 or Email Brittany@cfslc.org.

Community Impact Grants

Each year the Community Foundation of South Lake evaluates the focus areas for our Grant Cycle based on the needs in the community. Grants to local non-profit organizations derive from the income and interest accumulated from our unrestricted funds. Organizations must be eligibility requirements to apply for funding. If you have any questions regarding grants, email Brittany@cfslc.org.

Applicants are encouraged to attend the Grant Application Q & A Session scheduled prior to the opening of each grant cycle. All grant applications are completed through our online grant site unless otherwise noted.

If you have been funded consecutively for three years you must take a year off from applying.

Summer 2022 Grant Cycle Timeline:

June 16th, 1:30-2:15pm: Grant Q&A via Zoom
July 1 – July 29, 2022 at 4:00pm: Submit online Applications
August – September 2022: Application reviews and evaluations
September 2022: Funding designations and notifications to applicants
October/November 2022: Grants awarded to applicants

2022 Grant Cycle Criteria

Grant proposals will be reviewed and rewarded based on the following targeted focus areas:

Education: We know that education is vital to thriving futures as it provides knowledge and skills required for advancement. Grants will be awarded to organizations with a direct focus on academic educational opportunities for youth and/or adults. Projects must be directly educational and show evident impact/outcomes.
Housing Stabilization Programming: We know that the first defense to homelessness is helping to prevent it. Yet, we also understand some of our neighbors have already fallen victim to homelessness. Grants will be awarded to programs that focus efforts on immediate housing of homeless families and wrap around services that provide programming that enhances stabilization for families. Projects must present evident impact/outcomes.
Operational Support: Grants will be awarded to organizations for support of their operations (not including programs). Funds may be used for any direct or indirect costs related to the nonprofit’s activities, including but not limited to: payroll, rent, utilities, supplies and equipment, project costs, capital improvements, and planning. If you have a General Operations need that is not reflected here, please contact brittany@cfslc.org.
Health & Wellness: Grants will be awarded to organizations who have clear goals and outcomes that affect the health and wellness of individuals. This focus area can cover a wide range of programming.

Note: You will only be allowed to request support in one funding area.

Apply for a Grant

PAST COMPETITIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS

2021

LovExtension, $5,000, Operational Support

Building Block Ministries, $25,000, Operational support

Florida’s Vision Quest, $25,000, Vision screenings and glasses for indigent youth.

Family Matters of Central Florida, Inc, $20,000, Tutoring services for youth.

Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, $19,172, LENA grow educational program.

Lake Community Action Agency, $25,000, Rent & utility assistance for South Lake residents.

2020

Word Keepers of Clermont (Well of Hope), $20,000, Operational Grant

Real Life Church for The Central Florida Hope Center, $11,688, Operational Grant

Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, $20,000, Preservation and Repair Program in South Lake

Family Matters of Central Florida, Inc., $15,000, Tutoring for students.

Educational Foundation of Lake County, $3,200, Support of Take Stock Program

2019

FAITH Neighborhood Center, $16,280, Food pantry and intervention services.

Living Message Church (Find, Feed & Restore), $15,110, Rapid Rehousing and case management.

United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, $10,000, Rental Assistance for South Lake residents.

Family Matters of Central Florida, Inc., $5,000, Tutoring services for students.

Educational Foundation of Lake County, $20,000, Programming to increase graduation rates.

New Beginnings of Central Florida, $15,110, Residential Program

Apply for a Grant

The Community Foundation of South Lake is honored to have been a resource in our community for COVID-19 response funding.

Community Impact Grants

Summer 2022 Grant Cycle Timeline:

2022 Grant Cycle Criteria

Grant proposals will be reviewed and rewarded based on the following targeted focus areas:

Note: You will only be allowed to request support in one funding area.

PAST COMPETITIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS

Subscribe to our Newsletter