The Pinellas Community Foundation distributes grants twice annually to a wide variety of non-profit agencies, organizations and programs that enhance and support the quality of life in Pinellas County. Grant proposals are thoroughly screened and results evaluated to ensure that credible programming is delivered to community residents.

The Foundation has two discretionary grants programs:

Operating Grants & Competitive Grants

Operating Grants

Operating Grants are unrestricted and may be used by awardees for general operating expenses. An agency or organization receiving any type of Operating Grant (First-Time, Regular or Basic) is eligible to apply for a Competitive Grant. These latter grants are for special and capital projects and are awarded on the basis of merit or the project, as determined by a grants screening committee and by the Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Operating Grant Eligibility

• Under these guidelines, an agency or organization must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for any type of Operating Grant.
• Be a non-profit, 501(c)(3)
• Be headquartered in Pinellas County
• Provide social services to people in Pinellas County
• Not have a large endowment or fund raising staff
• Provide recent audited financial statements

First Time Operating Grants

In addition to meeting the above requirements, and agency or organization applying for the first time may not receive more than 50% of its funding from federal, state or local taxing authorities. Funding is from $1,000 to a maximum of $6,000, in $1,000 increments. Applications for these grants are due by October 1, 2008.

Regular Operating Grants

Most of the agencies and organizations benefitting from the Foundation’s Discretionary Grants Program receive these $10,000 grants. Applications are due by October 1, 2008.

Basic Operating Grants

Any agency or organization receiving a Regular Operating Grant may be moved to the Basic Grant level if (1) is has a budget surplus, (2) it has a large endowment, and/or (3) it has a significantly staffed development program. Basic Grants range from $1,000 to $4,000. Applications are due by October 1, 2008.

Competitive Grants

The Competitive Grants Program has been made possible by the generous contributions of many donors. These grants are made twice annually, once in the summer and once in the fall. In order to apply for these grants, and agency or organization must be receiving an Operating Grant. In general, projects eligible for these grants must be of a durable and non-programmatic nature. In addition, applicants must submit bids or proposals from vendors. One bid or proposal is required if the project is under $10,000, two if it is $10,000 or over.

Summer Cycle

Glenn and Carol Arthur Field of Interest Grants--$27,000

Edith B. Green Small Project Grant--$ 5,000

Edith B. Green Small Project Grant--$10,000

• There is a minimum of two winners. Individual awards range from $1,000 to a maximum of $20,000.

Fall Cycle

These grants recognize five donors:

• Dorothy A . Frazell Award--$10,000
• Cathleen W. Grant Award--$ 5,000
• Mary K. Haworth Award--$10,000
• William R. Kane Award--$5,000
• Howard McGlasson Award--$10,000

Ernest & Carolyn Benedict Grants--$100,000

This program is funded from a gift made to the Foundation by Ernest Benedict of more than $2,500,000. This gift funds three grants programs. An agency or organization may apply for all three as long as the submitted projects are different for each program.

Capital Improvement Grants - up to $30,000