Traditional Grants

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation offers Traditional Grants twice annually to support nonprofit organizations located in or primarily serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties in Florida. With a long-standing commitment to community impact, the Foundation focuses its investments on capital expenditures that improve the operational capacity and long-term sustainability of local nonprofits. Applicants must be nonprofit entities with operating budgets exceeding $300,000. Organizations with smaller budgets are directed to apply under the Foundation's “Small and Mighty” grant program. The Traditional Grants are intended to help organizations enhance their ability to serve the community effectively. The grant supports capital expenses, specifically funding for building or renovation costs, technology, vehicles, new or significantly updated software, equipment, and website development. Importantly, funding is not available for programmatic or operating expenses, previously completed projects, incurred expenses, endowments, debt reduction, travel, advertising, research, or conferences. These clear spending guidelines ensure that the funds are directed solely toward impactful, growth-oriented infrastructure investments. To be eligible, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in or serving the Foundation’s four-county service area. While exceptions may be made for organizations outside this geographic scope, applicants must demonstrate that the majority of their clients (more than 50%) reside within the targeted counties. Certain applicant types are categorically ineligible, including individuals, K–12 public or private schools, churches and religious institutions, and police or fire departments, including volunteer entities. The application process is structured and rigorous. Prior to submitting an application, all potential applicants must first contact the Grants Manager for a preliminary discussion. The Foundation emphasizes that applications will not be accepted without this conversation. Additionally, applicants who have previously received funding from Selby must wait one year following the approval of their final report before reapplying. All previous grant obligations must be satisfactorily completed prior to consideration for new funding. Applications are accepted during two cycles annually. For the Fall 2025 cycle, the application opens on July 1, 2025, and closes on August 15, 2025, at 3:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If the closing date falls on a weekend, the deadline is advanced to the next business day. Notifications of award decisions for the Fall cycle will be sent in mid-November. Once an application is submitted, the Foundation’s President and CEO will meet with the applicant's executive leadership and a board member to assess the proposed project. Final decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors based on the project’s value, the applicant’s organizational strength, and its ability to maintain the proposed investment over time. Successful applicants will be required to sign a Grant Acceptance Contract and submit a Final Report of Grant Expenditure within one year of the award. Future applications will not be accepted until one year after the final report has been reviewed and approved. The Foundation encourages early submission to allow its staff to assist in reviewing content and identifying incomplete sections. To initiate the process, applicants must reach out to Grants Manager Elizabeth Power at EPower@SelbyFdn.org or call 941-957-0442.

Applicants must speak with the Grants Manager before applying; prior grantees must wait one year post-final report approval to reapply. Submit before deadline to allow staff review.