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The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc

Annual Giving
$83.1M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo

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The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $83,075,589
  • Total Assets: $655,396,947
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $125,000
  • Geographic Focus: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties in Northeast Florida

Contact Details

Address: 245 Riverside Avenue, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Phone: (904) 356-4483
Fax: (904) 356-7910
Email: info@jaxcf.org
Website: https://www.jaxcf.org

Office Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pre-Application Support: Phone consultations available to determine eligibility; technical assistance appointments offered for Programme Support, Capacity Building, and Small Organisation grants. Contact Reagan Bass, Programme Officer, at rbass@jaxcf.org or (904) 356-4483.

Overview

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida is Florida's oldest and largest community foundation, established in 1964. With total assets exceeding $655 million as of 2023, the foundation has awarded more than $850 million in grants since its inception, serving the citizens of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. In 2023, the foundation provided $83 million in grants to 1,000 nonprofits through 3,500 individual grants. Led by President Isaiah M. Oliver since 2023, the foundation stimulates philanthropy through competitive grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and civic leadership. The foundation has earned a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator. Under Oliver's leadership, the foundation emphasises equity-centred work and strategic resource allocation to address community needs whilst building permanent assets through endowment growth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Competitive Grant Programmes (Fixed Deadlines):

  • Women's Giving Alliance: $10,000 (one year) for organisations with budgets ≤$250,000, or $125,000 (two years) for larger organisations addressing violence against women and girls | Opens: December | Deadline: Mid-January | Online portal

  • Small Organisations: Up to $2,500 for nonprofits with annual budgets ≤$150,000 | Opens: December | Deadline: Late January | Online portal

  • Capacity Building Grants: Up to $10,000 for one or two-year projects supporting organisational development, staff/board training, research, planning, evaluation, or facilitation | Opens: Spring | Deadline: May | Online portal | For organisations with budgets ≥$100,000

  • Programme Support Grants: Up to $25,000 (one or two years) for programmes serving vulnerable populations, ageing adults (Duval County), or early childhood (birth to preschool, Duval County) | Opens: Spring | Deadline: May | Decision notification: Late September | Online portal | For organisations with budgets ≥$100,000

  • Ageing Adults: Up to $25,000 for supporting older residents or caregivers | Opens: January | Deadline: Early March | Online portal

  • Early Childhood: Up to $25,000 for at-risk children under six in Duval County | Opens: January | Deadline: Early March | Online portal

  • Supporting Neighbourhoods: Up to $25,000 for strengthening neighbourhood leadership, affordable housing, or economic opportunity for marginalised residents | Opens: January | Deadline: Early March | Online portal

  • Food and Needs Insecurity: $10,000-$20,000 for food/basic needs assistance | Opens: January | Deadline: Early March | Online portal

  • Putnam County Programme Support: $10,000-$25,000 (one or two years) for improving quality of life in Putnam County | Opens: January | Deadline: Early March | Online portal

  • A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity & Impact Fund: Up to $2,000 for programmes in predominantly Black neighbourhoods | Opens: January | Deadline: Mid-February | Online portal

  • LGBTQ Community Fund: Up to $10,000 for nonprofits supporting LGBTQ communities | Opens: February | Deadline: Late March | Online portal

  • Art Ventures (Individual Artists): Up to $5,000 for emerging Northeast Florida artists | Opens: Late April | Deadline: Late June | Online portal

Donor-Advised and Designated Funds: Approximately 85% of grants ($60+ million annually) are distributed through donor-advised and designated funds, which do not accept applications.

Discretionary and Initiative Grants: The foundation awards discretionary grants through unrestricted, field of interest, and Presidential grantmaking funds (approximately $3 million annually). These do not accept unsolicited proposals.

Priority Areas

  • Ageing adults and caregivers (particularly in Duval County)
  • Early childhood development (birth to preschool, particularly in Duval County)
  • Violence against women and girls
  • LGBTQ communities
  • Food and basic needs insecurity
  • Neighbourhood strengthening, affordable housing, and economic opportunity
  • Programmes in predominantly Black neighbourhoods
  • Visual arts appreciation and education (St. Augustine)
  • Organisational capacity building
  • Collaborative initiatives addressing broad community needs

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside the six-county service area (Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns)
  • Athletic associations
  • School-based organisations or schools themselves
  • Fundraising event sponsorships
  • Sectarian religious activities (faith-based organisations eligible for non-religious community programmes)
  • Individual relief or services (except professional artists through Art Ventures)
  • Organisations without active 501(c)(3) status
  • Organisations with less than 2 years of operating history (for most programmes)
  • Unsolicited proposals for initiative grants

Governance and Leadership

President: Isaiah M. Oliver (appointed 2023), the foundation's third president, succeeded Nina Waters who retired after 22 years. Oliver previously served as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for nine years, where he developed an equity-centred approach to philanthropy.

Board Chair: The Honourable Brian J. Davis

Executive Leadership:

  • Executive Vice President and CFO: Grace
  • Vice President of Finance: Erin Broderick, MBA (promoted October 2025)
  • Programme Officer: Reagan Bass (rbass@jaxcf.org)

Leadership Philosophy (from President Isaiah M. Oliver):

On the foundation's mission: "The mission has stayed the same. We stimulate philanthropy to meet the community's needs."

On strategic priorities: "One of our challenges is there are more gaps to fill than there are resources to fill them. We have to be really thoughtful about prioritising which challenges to address at a particular time."

On community leadership: "Beyond our ability to raise significant amounts of money, community leadership is important. When we call people, they answer. When we put together data, people read it. When we convene meetings, people show up. We are thoughtful about building that muscle for the future."

On vision: Oliver believes "all children hope to live in a just, equitable world where people have access to the resources they need to be whole," and he's "betting on philanthropy to be a leader in making that vision" a reality.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Grantee Portal: All grant applications are exclusively available through the foundation's grantee portal, described as a "one-stop shop for nonprofits seeking support." Each grant programme has a specific online application link.

Pre-Application Steps:

  1. Review the FAQ and User Manual on the foundation's website
  2. Call (904) 356-4483 to confirm eligibility before submitting
  3. Request technical assistance appointment for Programme Support, Capacity Building, or Small Organisation grants (Reagan Bass: rbass@jaxcf.org)

Application Limitations: Organisations in the six-county service area may apply for EITHER Capacity Building OR Programme Support OR Putnam County grants in any given year (one application only).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by grant programme. The foundation states: "This varies by application so please see the timeline for each competitive grant."

Known Timeline (from Programme Support cycle):

  • Application deadline: May
  • Grant decisions announced: Late September
  • Time from deadline to decision: Approximately 4 months

Important Note: The foundation advises that "a grant from TCF cannot fully support a project," so applicants must demonstrate how they will secure additional funding beyond the foundation's support.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations that receive rejections may reapply. The foundation states: "Each proposal is considered on its own merits. However, be sure that your proposal is considered eligible under the guidelines before re-submitting."

Application Success Factors

Size-Appropriate Application Process:
Organisations with budgets under $200,000 (or $150,000 for Small Organisations programme) should use the simplified application designed specifically for smaller nonprofits, which may improve chances by acknowledging capacity constraints.

Demonstrate Additional Funding:
The foundation explicitly states that their grants "cannot fully support a project." Applications must clearly show other funding sources and sustainability plans. Successful applicants demonstrate how the foundation's grant leverages other resources.

Align with Geographic and Focus Area Priorities:
If applying for programmes with county-specific restrictions (Ageing Adults and Early Childhood programmes are Duval County only), ensure clear alignment. For broader programmes, demonstrate how the work addresses community needs in the specific counties served.

Recent Successful Projects (Examples):

  • Bebette's Bunny Rescue: Used funding to construct an organic garden to sustainably feed rescued rabbits at lower cost than purchasing produce
  • LISC Property Tax Relief: Preserved $2.3 million in housing value for 23 households in Nassau County; overall programme preserved over $6.5 million across its life
  • Hope Haven Early Childhood Development: Bridge to Support Families of Children with Autism Pilot Project ($15,000) - diagnosing developmental delays as early as 18 months and providing early interventions
  • Art with a Heart in Healthcare: $40,000 for art therapy in paediatric in-patient units
  • Northeast Florida Area Agency on Ageing/Eldersource: $150,000 for financial assistance to seniors across five counties
  • Cummer Museum: $15,000 for capacity building in fund development and executive leadership strategy
  • Nonprofit Centre of Northeast Florida: $20,000 for comprehensive strategic planning

Strategic Approach:
President Oliver emphasises thoughtful prioritisation of which community challenges to address given limited resources. Applications that demonstrate strategic thinking about community impact and long-term sustainability align with this philosophy.

Equity Lens:
Under current leadership, the foundation centres equity in its work. Applications addressing marginalised communities or explicitly considering equity in programme design may resonate strongly.

Collaboration:
Capacity Building grants specifically mention "collaborations addressing broad community needs" as a focus area. Demonstrating partnership approaches can strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Choose your application carefully: Organisations can only submit ONE application per year from Capacity Building, Programme Support, or Putnam County grants - select the best fit strategically
  • Use the right-sized application: Smaller organisations (budgets under $150,000-$200,000) should use simplified application processes designed for their capacity level
  • Call before applying: The foundation strongly encourages phone consultations to confirm eligibility and answer questions before investing time in an application
  • Show the full funding picture: Grants cannot fully fund projects - demonstrate how foundation support leverages other resources and creates sustainability
  • County-specific restrictions matter: Ageing Adults and Early Childhood programmes are restricted to Duval County only; verify geographic eligibility carefully
  • Equity and collaboration resonate: Under current leadership, applications with equity-centred approaches and collaborative models align with organisational values
  • Portal system: All applications are submitted through the online portal - familiarise yourself with the system and allow time to navigate it
  • Most funding is donor-directed: Approximately 85% of the foundation's annual grants come from donor-advised and designated funds that don't accept applications - competitive grants represent a smaller but significant pool (approximately $3+ million annually)

References

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