The Southwest Florida Community Foundation (SWFLCF) offers competitive grants for programs and projects in eight focus areas: animal welfare, arts and culture, community development, conservation and preservation, education, the environment, health, and human services.

Due to the number of requests for funding that SWFLCF receives, grants are awarded using the following funding parameters:

PRIORITIES

Consideration is given to the following in determining the merits and priority of an application for funding from SWFLCF or one of its divisions.

• Degree of potential benefit to the community to be derived from the program/project
• Programs for new ventures, one-time projects, and innovative responses to community needs that do not duplicate other efforts
• The capacity of the organization to achieve the program’s/project’s expected results
• The degree to which the organization uses measurable outcomes to evaluate its program/project
• Programs that are likely to attract additional funds, resources and community support
• The organization’s ability to obtain continued funding
• The amount of available funds that SWFLCF has to award

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Programs to determine if the proposed program/project is consistent with the goals and interests of SWFLCF or one of its divisions.

Guidelines

Grant proposals are evaluated on:

• Their potential value to the Southwest Florida community (Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties)
• The amount of available funds
• The quality of planning, leadership, support and vision expressed in the application
• The planned measurement of outcomes

Successful applications address opportunities to improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida and:

• Have measurable outcomes
• Significantly strengthen the ability of existing institutions to reach a broad segment of the community
• Provide innovative responses to community needs which do not unnecessarily duplicate other efforts
• Create a sense of community through neighborhood involvement and outreach

The merits and priority of an application are determined by:

• The degree of potential benefit to the community
• The capacity of the organization to achieve the project’s expected results
• Programs that are likely to attract additional funds, resources and community support (Because the foundation grants are only for one year, plans outlining future funding of the project from other sources are critical. Sound and realistic financial planning must be part of each request.)
• Programs for new ventures, one-time projects, and projects of special benefit to the community that do not duplicate other efforts

SWFLCF, as a rule, does NOT make grants for:

• Annual funds
• Debt retirement
• Fraternal organizations, societies or orders
• Religious organizations for sectarian purposes, except where designated by a fund donor
• Professional conferences, sports team travel, class trips and similar expenses
• Individuals, except for selected scholarships
• Normal operating expenses or existing obligations
• Political organizations or campaigns
• Fundraising events or feasibility studies
• Research