The Miami Foundation has been a key philanthropic organization in Greater Miami for over 50 years, investing in the region’s most pressing needs and greatest opportunities through its Community Grants program. This program is supported by generous donors and is made possible through partnerships with entities like the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Miami-Dade County. The Community Grants program is focused on building endowment funds to create a permanent community resource for local development.
The program is designed to fund initiatives across seven major issue areas: Access to Health and Wellness, Economic Stability, Inclusion of People with Disabilities, Inspiring Arts and Culture, Safer Communities, Sustainable Environment, and Thriving Youth and Families. The program prioritizes mission-building and general operating support, offering funding for proposals that aim to address social issues, enhance inclusivity, and strengthen the community. For 2025, applicants are allowed to submit only one application per category, except for colleges, universities, and local governments, which may submit up to three applications from different departments or colleges.
The Miami Foundation emphasizes a trust-based philanthropy approach, making two-year awards, maintaining a streamlined proposal process, and incorporating community voices in the review process. It focuses on advancing opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly in areas of racial, age, ethnic, gender, identity, sexual orientation, and mixed-abilities disparities. The Foundation aims to catalyze work that will enhance the diversity of the community, improve access to resources, and provide educational opportunities.
Proposals for the 2025 cycle are due by 11:59 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025. Applications can be submitted starting Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Each application must be submitted online through the Miami Foundation's grants portal at grants.miamifoundation.org.
The program also includes an emphasis on connecting with community advisors and maintaining transparency throughout the grant application process. The Foundation values applicants who provide solutions rooted in the needs and experiences of the community, and those who engage in creating a more equitable environment for all.
