Heron Creek Community Foundation Grants

The Heron Creek Community Foundation (HCCF), established in 2010, is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting charitable initiatives that directly serve the citizens of North Port, Florida. Since its founding, HCCF has awarded over $732,000 in grants and maintains an endowment exceeding $510,000 to ensure sustainable funding for future community support. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to qualified organizations and individuals whose programs improve the quality of life for local residents, addressing both immediate needs and long-term community development. The Foundation’s grant program is designed to identify and support projects with the greatest potential for positive community impact, reflecting North Port’s evolving social and economic needs. While any individual or organization serving the residents of North Port is eligible to apply in 2025, preference may be given to applicants with IRS 501(c)(3) certification obtained no later than January 1, 2025. The HCCF grants committee evaluates requests based on demonstrated benefit to the community, feasibility, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Both proactive and reactive projects are considered, ensuring flexibility to address urgent needs while fostering long-term solutions. The application process begins with an online submission through the HCCF website. The application form requires detailed organizational information, including mission statement, project description, funding request amount, and a clear explanation of how funds will be used. Applicants must indicate the total project cost if the HCCF request does not cover it fully and explain how they will secure the remaining funds. The form also requests data on the expected number of North Port residents to benefit and the method for measuring program success. Applicants must disclose prior HCCF grant awards, other funding sources approached for the same project, and whether matching funds are available, including providing a letter of intent from any matching donor. Supporting documentation is required, including a list of the organization’s board of directors and trustees with their terms, a copy of the IRS 501(c)(3) letter of determination (if applicable), and a detailed project budget. Applicants must also state whether their request exceeds or falls below $3,000. The grants committee may conduct site visits as part of its evaluation process before making recommendations to the HCCF Board of Directors, which makes final funding decisions. For the 2025 cycle, the grant application window opens on August 1, 2025, and closes on September 30, 2025. Applications are not accepted outside this period. The program is not rolling but is expected to recur annually. While specific award amounts are not disclosed in the announcement, the Foundation has a history of making substantial contributions that vary depending on project scope and impact potential. The primary contact for grant-related inquiries is Rick Bliss, Grants Committee Chair, who can be reached by phone at 607-346-7247. Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out in advance to discuss alignment with HCCF’s funding priorities and save time before preparing a proposal. By maintaining a rigorous review process and clear eligibility guidelines, HCCF seeks to ensure that grant funds are used effectively to benefit North Port residents in genuine need.

Contact HCCF before applying to confirm eligibility.