Call for Applications: Charlotte Community Foundation Fall 2026 Grants – Up to $15,000 for Local Nonprofits

Application Deadline: September 29, 2026

About the Grants

The Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) has launched its Fall 2026 competitive grant cycle, offering funding opportunities for qualified nonprofit organisations serving Charlotte County, Florida. The Fall 2026 cycle will distribute $195,000 in donor-designated funds through two grant opportunities covering five local nonprofit service areas. Eligible organisations can apply for funding to support work in health care, housing insecurity, seniors, veterans, and youth. Applications opened on September 1, 2026, and the deadline is September 29, 2026, at 4:59 PM.

About the Charlotte Community Foundation

The Charlotte Community Foundation is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Charlotte County, Florida. The Foundation connects individuals, companies, organisations, and advisors with charitable causes and permanent capital to create community impact. It has operated as a community foundation since 2004 and has granted $15 million to nearly every local nonprofit and $1.6 million in scholarships over its 20 years of service. Charlotte Community Foundation manages philanthropic resources and supports local nonprofits and students through grants and scholarships.

Available Funding

The Fall 2026 cycle includes the following programme grants:

Housing Insecurity

CCF will provide four grants of $15,000 to organisations working to address housing insecurity.

Eligible organisations should provide:

• Direct services to people facing housing difficulties
• Homelessness prevention programmes
• Housing solutions
• Outreach services
• Support systems designed to reduce or eliminate homelessness

Programmes serving children and youth experiencing homelessness are especially encouraged to apply.

Health Care

CCF will also provide four grants of $15,000 for organisations working in health care.

Eligible applicants may provide:

• Direct health-related services
• Access to quality health care
• Initiatives designed to improve health outcomes
• Physical health services
• Mental and behavioural health services
• Preventive and primary care
• Nutrition and wellness programmes

Charlotte Community Foundation takes a broad approach to the definition of health and health care for this funding opportunity.

Total Funding for These Two Programme Areas:

• $60,000 for Housing Insecurity
• $60,000 for Health Care
• $120,000 total for these two programmes grant areas

The Foundation’s Fall 2026 cycle overall is described as distributing $195,000 in donor-designated contributions through two grant opportunities covering five local nonprofit service areas.

Who Can Apply

The Fall 2026 grants are intended for nonprofit organisations that meet CCF’s eligibility requirements.

Organisations must:

• Be a nonprofit organisation with 501(c)(3) status, unless another status has been approved by CCF
• Have received their tax-exempt determination letter from the IRS
• Align with the mission of the Charlotte Community Foundation
• Be located in or provide services in Charlotte County, Florida
• Use the grant funding within Charlotte County

An organisation does not necessarily have to be headquartered in Charlotte County. However, the funded activities must take place within the county.

Funding Areas for the Fall 2026 Cycle

CCF identifies five designated areas for its Fall 2026 grants:

• Health Care
• Housing Insecurity
• Seniors
• Veterans
• Youth

An organisation’s mission and programmes must align with one of the designated funding areas to be eligible for this cycle. Applicants should carefully review the specific funding opportunity before applying because the cycle uses donor-designated funds and has specific requirements.

Can Faith-Based Organisations Apply?

Faith-based organisations may apply when the proposed funding supports a distinct community outreach programme.

Examples include programmes such as:

• Food banks
• Homelessness support
• Senior support services

However, CCF does not fund activities undertaken for religious purposes, including worship services, religious education, faith-based materials, or activities that promote a specific religion.

What Information Is Required

Applicants will need to provide organisational and programme information as part of the application.

The application process requires information concerning:

• Staffing
• Organisational mission
• Leadership
• Board engagement
• Budget
• Recent financial documents
• Existing programmes related to the selected funding area
• How the requested funding would strengthen existing programmes
• Expected impact on Charlotte County

These grants are intended to support or enhance work already underway, rather than provide funding for an organisation to begin working in an entirely new focus area.

Can an Organisation Apply for More Than One Grant?

No. Each organisation may submit only one application during the Fall 2026 grant cycle.

Organisations should therefore carefully determine which funding opportunity most closely matches their mission and programme activities before submitting an application.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications will be reviewed by a Grants Committee consisting of trained community volunteers with relevant area expertise.

The committee will assess applications based on factors including:

• Organisational finances
• Leadership
• Effectiveness of programmes
• Community impact

The committee will make recommendations to the CCF Board of Directors for consideration and final approval.

How Long Does the Application Take?

Charlotte Community Foundation CCF states that the application is designed to take less than two hours to complete. The programme application for the Housing Insecurity or Health Care funding areas is more detailed. Applicants are encouraged to review the available informational materials before beginning the application.

Grant Information Sessions

CCF strongly encourages prospective applicants to review the Fall 2026 Grant Informational Presentation recording and presentation slides before beginning an application.

The information session provides an overview of:

• Eligibility requirements
• The grant cycle
• Application process
• Important dates
• Other relevant application information

How to Apply

Eligible nonprofit organisations can apply through the online grant application portal accessible through the Charlotte Community Foundation’s website.

Before applying, organisations should:

• Review the eligibility requirements
• Identify the designated funding area that best matches their existing work
• Review the grant information session and application guidance
• Prepare the required organisational, financial, and programme information
• Complete the online application
• Submit the application before the deadline

Application Deadline: September 29, 2026 at 4:59 PM

CCF states that deadlines are strictly enforced to ensure a fair review process.

When Will Applicants Receive a Decision?

Applicants will receive communication by email regarding the status of their applications in December 2026. Charlotte Community Foundation plans for funding to be delivered before the end of December 2026. Successful applicants will receive an award letter explaining the grant terms, including reporting acknowledgements and disbursement information. Applicants who are not selected will also receive notification by email and may contact CCF to discuss their application and learn why it was not selected.

Reporting Requirements

Successful grantees will be required to complete an online grant acknowledgement form within two weeks of receiving the award.

One year after receiving the funding, award recipients are invited to submit a concise report of no more than three pages explaining:

• How the grant was used
• The impact of the funding
• Progress against projected outcomes
• Relevant qualitative and quantitative data

Click here to apply