Grant FAQs

How do I know if the project has “high impact?”

Impactful projects can be achieved in a variety of ways:

• Enabling an organization to affect a large group of people (in need)
• Directly benefiting a small group of people resulting in significant change that will have wider implications for the group of people as well as the community
• Changing the way an organization pursues its mission, resulting in a fundamental shift in how it provides services to its stakeholders
• Creating/reinforcing new collaborations with other organizations to address a broader spectrum of the community
• Enabling an organization to address an unmet need or issue within the community

Will startups or small organizations be considered?

Yes, startups and small organizations will be considered if they meet all the criteria. They need to demonstrate the ability to manage the grant and its sustainability. They should strongly consider collaborating with another nonprofit already demonstrating capabilities, such as successful outreach into community/population to be served, which is needed to assure greater impact.

Will applications from unincorporated groups be considered?

No, applicants must be incorporated and approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.

If an organization receives a $100,000 grant, when can the organization reapply?

There must be a two-year window of time before a previous Grant recipient may receive another Impact Grant. They may partner with another organization that submits a grant; partners do not share in the funding of a grant.

Are grant finalists prohibited from reapplying for 2 years?

No, only the recipients of the $100,000 Impact Grant are prohibited from applying for 2 years.

Can an organization submit a program/project that was submitted in a previous year which did not receive the $100,000 Impact Grant?

Yes, a previously submitted program/project can be submitted again as long as it did not receive a $100,000 Impact Grant. We recommend, however, that the organization discuss issues such as the reasons why the program/project did not receive a grant and how to improve the proposal with The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie.

May applicants submit multiple letters of intent (LOI)? Specifically, may an organization apply as part of a collaboration and separately apply as an individual organization?

No, an organization may only submit one LOI annually, either as an individual organization or as part of a collaborative effort with another organization or organizations.

Will multi-year funding requests be considered?

Yes, however, the full amount of the grant must be used within three years.

May funds be used for equipment?

Yes, as long as the equipment is directly connected to the proposed program/project.

May funds be used for capital expenditures/improvements?

Yes, but the applicant must own the property or have a lease with a minimum of five years remaining as of July 1st of the grant award year.

Do renovations qualify for a grant?

Renovations alone do not, however, if renovations are required as part of a proposed project that has a transformational impact on the community, they will be considered.

If we need new equipment (E.G., Computers, furnishing, sound equipment) for an existing project, does this qualify for a grant?

If you are expanding an existing program to serve additional people and create a bigger impact in the community, equipment costs are considered. However, if the equipment purchase is replacing existing equipment and the program stays the same, then this would be a general operating expense which is not funded.