Find Grants for Your Nonprofit in Florida

How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in Florida

If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a dozen responsibilities at your nonprofit—and grant research just became one more thing on your plate. Maybe you're Googling at 10 p.m. on a Sunday. Maybe you've clicked through five outdated listings in a row. Maybe you're wondering if there's a better way.

There is. And you don't need to be a professional grant writer to find it.

This guide walks you through exactly where to look for grants in Florida, what funders care about, and how to get started—even if this is your first time. Let's break it down, step by step.

Start with What's Available in Florida

Florida has a surprisingly robust grant ecosystem—but it's spread across state agencies, federal programs, and private funders. Here's where to begin:

State Government Grants

The Florida Department of State is your main hub for state-funded opportunities. They run grants through three key divisions:

• Division of Arts and Culture – Supports arts organizations, cultural facilities, and community programming (including America 250 initiatives)
• Division of Historical Resources – Funds historic preservation projects, including support for abandoned African-American cemeteries
• Division of Library and Information Services – Offers grants for libraries and nonprofits supporting literacy and access to information

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) funds conservation, recreation, and outdoor access projects. Programs include Parks and Open Space, the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and the Recreational Trails Program.

Pro tip: Florida runs a centralized state grants portal at dosgrants.com. Bookmark it. This is where you'll find application timelines, eligibility rules, and downloadable guidelines for most state programs.

Federal Grants

Don't overlook Grants.gov, the federal database. Florida nonprofits are eligible for national programs through agencies like HUD, the Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Florida CDBG Program (administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity) also channels federal HUD funding into community services and infrastructure.

Top Foundations to Know in Florida

Private foundations can be more flexible than government grants—and many focus on specific regions or causes. Here are a few worth knowing:

Statewide Funders

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay – Connects nonprofits with donors and grant opportunities across the Tampa Bay region. They support technology upgrades, IT infrastructure, and capacity-building projects.

Florida Wildflower Foundation – Runs the Viva Florida Landscape Demonstration Garden Grant Program, which funds native plant education and public demonstration gardens.

Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) – Offers research and conservation grants for projects related to native ecosystems, including the Dr. Barbara Grigg Grant and the Dan Austin Grant for Ethnobotany.

Regional and Specialized Funders

Florida has a strong network of community foundations serving specific counties and metro areas. Many operate giving cycles tied to local priorities—education, housing, health equity, environmental justice. A quick search for "[your county] community foundation" will often surface opportunities you didn't know existed.

Pro tip: Use GrantWatch.com and Instrumentl to browse Florida-specific listings. Both platforms aggregate opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources.

Your Grant Search Toolkit

Here's what you'll actually use to find grants in Florida:

Free Tools:

• dosgrants.com – Florida Department of State's official portal
• Grants.gov – Federal grant database
• florida.grantwatch.com – Aggregator of Florida opportunities (free browsing, paid for full access)
• Google – Yes, really. Use specific search terms (see the keywords section below)

Paid Tools (if your budget allows):

• Instrumentl – Smart filtering by location, cause, and eligibility
• Candid (formerly Foundation Center) – Deep foundation research and reusable nonprofit profiles

Support Resources:

• Florida DEP hosts application webinars for land and recreation grants
• Many state agencies list FAQs and past awardees on their program pages
• GrantWatch connects users with freelance grant writers if you need help

Eligibility and What Funders Look For

Most Florida grants require:

• Active 501(c)(3) status or Florida nonprofit registration
• Alignment between your mission and the funder's focus area
• A track record of programming (even if small-scale)

Some grants have additional requirements, like:

• A physical office location in Florida (this can disqualify remote or national orgs)
• Specific policies in place (e.g., whistleblower policy, nondiscrimination statement)
• Proof of community support (letters, partnerships, media coverage)
• Financial documentation (IRS Form 990, audited financials, operating budget)

What to know: Eligibility criteria aren't always listed upfront. If a grant looks like a fit but the guidelines are vague, email the program officer. A two-minute conversation can save you hours of work.

Grant agreements also come with reporting requirements. Expect to submit progress updates, financial reports, and sometimes site visits or photos. Read the terms before you apply.

When to Apply

Florida grant cycles follow seasonal patterns. Here's what to expect:

Fall/Winter (November–February):

• Florida Department of State Arts & Culture grants (Cultural Endowment, GPS, SCP)
• Florida DEP Parks and Open Space grants
• Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants

Spring (March–June):

• Florida Department of State Historical Resources grants
• Florida Wildflower Foundation (Viva Florida)
• Florida Native Plant Society research grants

Summer/Early Fall (July–October):

• America 250 grants
• Library Cooperative Grants
• Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program

Pro tip: Many state grants open applications 6–9 months before the funding period begins. If you're planning a project for summer 2026, start looking in fall 2025.

Set calendar reminders for recurring programs. Most agencies post updated timelines by mid-year.

Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks

If you're new to this, here's a realistic plan to get moving:

Week 1: Set Up Your System

• Bookmark dosgrants.com, Grants.gov, and florida.grantwatch.com
• Create a simple spreadsheet to track: grant name, funder, deadline, amount, eligibility, status
• Write a one-paragraph mission statement and gather your IRS determination letter, latest 990, and operating budget

Week 2: Research and Filter

• Search using 3–5 keywords that match your work (see list below)
• Skim 10–15 grant listings and note which ones feel like a fit
• Check eligibility requirements and deadlines
• Narrow your list to 3–5 grants worth pursuing

Week 3: Prepare to Apply

• Read the full guidelines for your top 2 grants
• Note what documents or narratives are required
• Draft answers to common questions (mission, impact, budget needs)
• Reach out to the funder if anything is unclear

You don't have to apply to everything. Start with one or two that feel manageable. Build confidence, then scale up.

Search Keywords That Work

Use these phrases in Google, Zeffy's Grant Finder, or any grant database:

• "Florida nonprofit grants"
• "Florida arts and culture grants"
• "Florida environmental grants"
• "Florida library grants"
• "Florida historic preservation grants"
• "Florida recreation grants"
• "grants for [your cause] in Florida" (e.g., mental health, animal rescue, education)
• "Florida community foundation grants"
• "Florida Department of State grants"
• "Florida DEP grants"

Combine your cause area with location terms like "Tampa Bay," "South Florida," or your county name for more targeted results.

Getting Help When You Need It

You don't have to do this alone. Here are a few places to turn:

• Florida Nonprofit Alliance – Statewide association offering training, resources, and peer support
• Your local community foundation – Many offer grant readiness workshops or one-on-one coaching
• GrantWatch – Connects nonprofits with freelance grant writers
• Florida DEP webinars – Free application support for land and recreation grants

If you're feeling stuck, reach out. Program officers at state agencies are often more helpful than you'd expect. And other nonprofits in your area? They've been where you are. Ask around.

Final Encouragement

Grant seeking is a skill, not a talent. It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to learn as you go. You'll apply to grants you don't win. You'll miss deadlines. You'll realize halfway through an application that you're not eligible.

That's normal. Every grant writer has been there.

What matters is that you start. One search. One application. One conversation with a funder. That's how you build momentum.

And remember: you're not looking for every grant. You're looking for the right ones—the ones that align with your mission, respect your capacity, and actually move your work forward.

You've got this.