Community Foundation Tampa Bay has awarded more than $2.2 million, in discretionary grants, to support 84 nonprofit projects across its five-county service area.
The foundation received a record 363 applications this year, totaling $10 million in requests. The awarded projects align with economic opportunity, environmental resiliency and sustainability, health and well-being, education and community engagement.
“This grant cycle was especially meaningful, coming on the heels of significant hurricane recovery efforts,” said Brandi Sanchez, senior director of community investment.
Highlighted grant recipients include:
AdventHealth Foundation’s Exploring Health Program – $52,000 to support onboarding screenings, certifications and outreach for aspiring healthcare workers in Hernando and Pasco counties.
Firehouse Cultural Center – $55,000 for its Building Community Through the Arts program, expanding no-fee art workshops and scholarships for youth and low-income adults in Hillsborough County.
Florida Audubon Society – $25,000 to expand its Reducing Fishing Debris program and protect nesting waterbirds in Pinellas County.
MacDonald Training Center – $50,000 for its CommUNITY Works Program, connecting job seekers with disabilities to employment opportunities across Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Who We Play For – $25,000 to increase access to youth heart screenings in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.
Seventeen of the 84 awards were continuing multi-year grants from previous competitive grant cycles.
Now in its 35th year, Community Foundation Tampa Bay has surpassed $460 million in nonprofit investments. The organization recently announced more than $1 billion in philanthropic funds committed to the region’s future.