Community Foundation Tampa Bay Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $32 million (2024)
Success Rate: 14% (LOI stage); 50% (full application stage)
Decision Time: 4 months (competitive grants); 3 business days (critical needs)
Grant Range: $6,000 - $50,000 (competitive grants)
Geographic Focus: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties, Florida
Total Assets: Over $1 billion (2025)

Contact Details

Phone: 813-282-1975

Email: General inquiries through website contact form

Grants Contact: Jessica Scites, 813-609-4865, jscites@cftampabay.org

Overview

Community Foundation Tampa Bay was founded in January 1990, beginning with a single $100 donation from retired teachers Stuart and Peggy Ford. In 2025, the foundation celebrates its 35th anniversary and reached a major milestone of $1 billion in commitments to support nonprofits. The foundation is now the largest community foundation in Florida and one of the largest in the country, managing more than 1,200 charitable funds and 129 family foundations. Since inception, the foundation has awarded more than $450 million in grants. In 2024 alone, they distributed more than $32 million in grants to 1,231 nonprofits across the Tampa Bay region. Under the leadership of President and CEO Marlene Spalten, who joined in 2012 when the foundation held $140 million in assets, the organization has experienced remarkable growth. Their mission is to "build a vibrant, prosperous community through transformative vision, leadership, and philanthropy," with a vision of "a thriving Tampa Bay community where every person has equitable access to opportunity and prosperity."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Competitive Grants: $6,000 - $50,000 The foundation's flagship competitive grants program awards funding through a two-stage process (letter of intent followed by full application). In the 2025 cycle, 84 projects were awarded (including 17 continuing multi-year grants), totaling over $2.2 million. The 66 new grants totaled $1,622,319. Applications are reviewed annually with fixed deadlines.

Critical Needs Requests: Variable amounts (rolling basis) Organizations can submit critical needs requests throughout the year for immediate community needs. Decisions are made within three business days if the need matches available donor funds. In 2024, the foundation facilitated $882,673 in hurricane recovery grants through the Critical Needs List and Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund.

Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation: Variable amounts A competitive grant opportunity for Hillsborough and Pinellas County nonprofits working in housing, community vibrancy, and positive education/mental well-being.

Priority Areas

The foundation funds programs within five strategic focus areas:

1. Economic Opportunity High-quality adult education, training, and skill building that leads to employment and promotes personal and financial prosperity, including work-based learning experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. In 2025, the foundation awarded over $345,000 specifically for economic opportunity initiatives.

2. Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability Programs that protect, restore, and improve the natural environment within the Tampa Bay region.

3. Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing Programs supporting physical and mental health, with recent investments of over $320,000 to increase mental well-being among residents. In 2025, more than $710,904 was awarded across three targeted subcategories within this focus area.

4. Quality Child and Youth Education Programs promoting positive education environments that meet students' developmental needs and emphasize a growth mindset.

5. Vibrant and Engaged Communities Projects that enhance community vibrancy and engagement across the region.

What They Don't Fund

Competitive grants are not designed to fund:

Academic scholarships
Annual appeals
Capital campaigns
Fundraising events
Membership contributions
Capital funding for building and building renovations
General operating and administrative costs
Grants to individuals (rent, utilities, etc.)
Medical or scientific research
Political campaigns or direct lobbying efforts
Religious or sectarian purposes

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Marlene Spalten, President and CEO Joined Community Foundation Tampa Bay in 2012 as its third president and CEO when the organization held $140 million in assets. Under her leadership, the foundation has grown to over $1 billion in assets.

Board of Trustees

Linda O. Simmons, Chair (effective July 1, 2025) President of Tampa-based R.R. Simmons, elected to a two-year term as chair.

Oscar J. Horton, Board Member CEO of Tampa-based Sun State International Trucks.

Recent Board Additions (effective July 1, 2025):

Bob Blanchard, Jr.
Greg Rosica
Janice Ferman Straske

Other Notable Trustees:

Willie Tims, Jr., Retired Corporate EHS Director with the Mosaic Company
Barry Alpert, Founder of Alpert Financial Group
Tom Kennedy
Christopher Lykes
Andres Prida
Kay Annis Wilson

The Board of Trustees comprises business and community leaders with comprehensive knowledge of the region's opportunities and needs, providing strategic guidance and oversight.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Annual Competitive Grants (Two-Stage Process):

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI) Eligible nonprofits submit a letter of intent during the specified timeframe (typically opening early January) to outline their funding need. The foundation reviews all LOIs and invites selected organizations to proceed to the full application.

Stage 2: Full Application Organizations invited after LOI review submit a comprehensive full application through the online grant portal. All subsequent steps are submitted through the same portal.

Typical Timeline (2025 cycle example):

Grant cycle opens: January 8, 2025
Full applications due: February 7, 2025
Final notification: June 6, 2025

Critical Needs Requests: Organizations can submit requests through the online Critical Needs Request Form on a rolling basis throughout the year. These requests are posted to a Critical Needs List that donors can review and fund.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, organizations must:

Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Be up-to-date with IRS 990 tax form filings and have filed for at least one fiscal year
Serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties
Apply under the organization's own tax-exempt EIN
Be in compliance with all requirements of previous funds awarded
Exhibit strong management and sound leadership

Decision Timeline

Competitive Grants: Approximately 4 months from application deadline to final notification. Applicants are notified by email if invited to advance from LOI to full application stage.

Critical Needs Requests: Within 3 business days if matched with a donor. If not selected for funding after 90 days, the request is removed from the list.

Follow-up Reporting: Organizations receiving Critical Needs funding must submit a follow-up report online three months after receiving funding.

Success Rates

The foundation provides clear statistics on their competitive grant process:

LOI Stage: Approximately 1 in 7 letters of intent receive funding (14% success rate)
Full Application Stage: About 1 in 2 full applications receive funding (50% success rate)

In recent cycles, the foundation made 489 awards in 2023 and 673 awards in 2022, though these figures include all types of grants, not just competitive grants.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation welcomes reapplications from unsuccessful applicants. If a letter of intent is denied, applicants may apply during the next appropriate grants cycle. Similarly, if a full application is denied, organizations are welcome to apply during the next appropriate grants cycle. There are no waiting periods or penalties for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Strong Management and Leadership: The foundation explicitly states that applicants must exhibit strong management and sound leadership, indicating this is a critical evaluation factor.

Data-Driven Proposals: Community Foundation Tampa Bay offers a carefully curated list of local data resources to help nonprofits craft compelling and data-driven grant proposals, suggesting they value evidence-based approaches.

Compliance with Previous Requirements: Organizations must be in compliance with all requirements of previous funds awarded, including reporting requirements. This demonstrates the importance they place on accountability and follow-through.

Clear Alignment with Focus Areas: Grant submissions help the foundation decide where to focus discretionary grants across their five priority areas. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with one or more of these focus areas.

Geographic Relevance: Projects must serve the foundation's five-county service area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties).

Recent Grant Examples demonstrating successful projects:

I Rise FL, Inc. - Trauma-Informed Workforce Development Program (Economic Opportunity)
Firehouse Cultural Center - $55,000 for Building Community Through the Arts Program, supporting no-fee art workshops and scholarships for youth and low-income adults (Vibrant and Engaged Communities)
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office - Multi-year grant recipient
Enterprising Latinas - Multi-year grant recipient
Bess the Book Club Inc. - Multi-year grant recipient
PCAT Ministries Literacy Program - Multi-year grant recipient

Information Sessions: The foundation hosts competitive grant information sessions for applicants, indicating they value transparency and want to help organizations understand their process. Attending these sessions may provide valuable insights.

Direct Communication Encouraged: Organizations are encouraged to contact Jessica Scites with questions about the grants process or application, suggesting the foundation is approachable and values clear communication.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Two-stage process improves your odds: While only 14% of LOIs receive funding, advancing to the full application stage increases your success rate to 50%. Focus on crafting a compelling LOI that clearly articulates the community need and your organization's capacity.
Multi-year opportunities exist: The foundation awards multi-year grants to select organizations, representing a significant opportunity for sustained funding. Demonstrate long-term impact potential and organizational stability.
Strong management is non-negotiable: The foundation explicitly requires organizations to exhibit strong management and sound leadership. Ensure your application showcases governance structure, financial management, and leadership qualifications.
Data matters: The foundation provides local data resources and expects data-driven proposals. Use regional statistics and evidence to support your case for funding.
Consider the Critical Needs track: For immediate, unanticipated needs, the Critical Needs List offers rapid decision-making (3 business days) and can complement your competitive grant strategy.
Reapplication is encouraged: Don't be discouraged by an initial rejection. The foundation explicitly welcomes reapplications in subsequent cycles with no penalties, allowing you to refine your approach.
Leverage information sessions: Attend the foundation's grant information sessions to gain insights into their priorities and process, demonstrating your commitment and potentially identifying strategic advantages.

References

Accessed: December 17, 2025

Community Foundation Of Tampa Bay Inc