Community Grants 2023 applications have now closed. Thank you for your interest in Community Grants!
The Miami Foundation is grateful to invest in a stronger, more equitable Greater Miami every year through our Community Grants program. A permanent resource for Greater Miami, Community Grants is made possible by generous donors who trust the Foundation to address our community’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities. Meet the 2022 Community Grants partners here.
We’re listening to community and making major shifts to Community Grants 2023!
Guided by community input, our programs constantly grow and evolve to serve residents throughout Greater Miami. In 2023, we continue to partner with a network of philanthropists, strengthening our dedication to trust–based philanthropy by unlocking steady funding for community champions. Special thanks to The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Miami-Dade County for their deep partnership in this upcoming cycle!
The Miami Foundation strengthens its commitment to trust-based philanthropy and the advancement of equity in Miami by implementing major shifts in the 2023 grant cycle, including:
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- Investing in mission-building general operating support.
- Moving from annual investments to two-year bi-annual cycles.
- Reducing our two-phase proposal process to one phase.
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We invite you to review the program materials to learn more about the Foundation’s signature annual community investment program.
The 2023 program guidelines and FAQ share everything you need to know about Community Grants and how to apply. Applications open January 23 and must be submitted here by March 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m
Community Advisors will review full proposals to ensure rich perspectives from people with personal and professional experiences related to each funding category. Grant reviews and ratings will be made in consultation with the advisors, ensuring multiple considerations are made for final selections. This year we have elevated our Community Advisor involvement in the program to deepen the selection process and ensure that Community Grants investments remain community driven.
Connect with our team to discuss your Community Grants application!
Review your Community Grants application through the Submittable platform.
WHAT WE FUND
In 2023, in partnership with The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Miami-Dade County, we will invest up to $6 million over two years across our six funding priorities below.
- Access to Health and Wellness | Improve health outcomes by connecting people to quality health resources and education, reducing health disparities, or tackling contributing social determinants of health.
- Economic Stability | Improve residents’ ability to meet local affordability challenges by providing access to opportunities that promote self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, financial independence or personal stability.
- Inclusion | Expand opportunities for people with disabilities to promote inclusion and equity across all aspects of community life. See our summary of this funding category here.
This category is made possible by the Sofia Isabel Soto Fund for Inclusion of People with Diverse Abilities, in loving memory of Sofia Isabel, the daughter of The Miami Foundation’s former President and CEO, Javier Alberto Soto.
- Inspiring Arts and Culture | Apply the power of arts and culture to strengthen community. This category will catalyze work that champions the diversity of our community, expands access to arts and culture experiences for residents, or increases opportunities for artistic expression.
- Sustainable Environment | Develop a healthier, more resilient community by promoting environmental education and action on the restoration of Biscayne Bay (One Water, One Bay), preservation of the Everglades, protecting our communities from the effects of extreme heat, amplifying opportunities for water preservation or expanding awareness and action on the climate crisis and its local effects. See our summary of this funding category here.
This category is made possible in deep partnership with Miami-Dade County and dedicated to the life and memory of Harvey Ruvin, a long time County employee with a passion for environmental education and sustainability.
- Thriving Youth and Families | Expand opportunities for families (from early childhood to elder-aged) to excel through high-quality education, personal development, and work to ensure their safety and stability.
WHAT WE PRIORITIZE
Our priorities align with our values that we hope to model together with our nonprofit partners. Our priorities also guide application review, so we encourage you to review this section as you develop your proposal.
- Advance equity of marginalized individuals and communities | We prioritize support for organizations working directly with communities that face marginalization to tackle disparities around race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, mixed-abilities, and other lines of difference.
- Focus on progress | We support organizations whose work is guided by clear goals for the growth of individuals and communities. All partners will have a strong potential to create timely, impactful opportunities for individuals and communities to advance and thrive.
- Build solutions | We prioritize partners pursuing long-lasting change for individuals and communities. Organizations should highlight underlying barrier(s) or challenge(s) they currently address so our residents can pursue their greatest potential.
- Collaborate with community | We prioritize organizations with leadership that is representative and inclusive of the communities they serve, especially those that intentionally gather community feedback to guide their work. We believe in authentic community relationships and resident leadership.
- Sustainability | We support high-quality, viable work and prioritize investments that will strengthen organizations serving those most affected by marginalization and inequity. We exclusively welcome proposals that will use awarded funds to strengthen their capacity and expertise to serve our most underserved in Miami.
ELIGIBILITY & USE OF FUNDS
Eligibility Requirements | Eligible applicants are nonprofits with an active 501(c)(3) status as a public charity or projects with an established fiscal sponsor that has this status. Government entities and religious organizations that are considered nonprofit equivalents are also eligible. The proposed work must primarily serve Miami-Dade County residents. If you have a current grant through any Foundation program, you must be in compliance with that grant to apply.
Grant Size | The maximum two-year grant award will be determined by organizational size. See the Program Guidelines for more details and award ranges.
Types of Funding | All grants are considered mission-building, general operating support to be used at the nonprofit’s discretion to support the proposed goals and strengthen an organization’s sustainability.
HOW TO APPLY
Community Grants is now a one-stage program. Full Proposals are welcomed from all qualifying applicants. Community Advisors will review all applicants to guide grant selections and ensure rich perspectives from people with personal and professional experiences related to each funding category. Grant decisions for the 2023 program will be shared in early June.
CONNECT WITH US
Please get in touch with Vicky Checo, Program Manager, at vcheco@miamifoundation.org with any questions.