The Helping Today, Shaping Tomorrow (HTST) Grant is a funding initiative developed by the Community Foundation of North Florida (CFNF) to support nonprofit organizations operating within the Big Bend region. The HTST program was created in direct response to feedback from community stakeholders, fundholders, and nonprofit organizations regarding the region's most pressing needs. It aligns with CFNF’s mission to enhance the quality of life in North Florida through charitable giving and its vision to serve as a connector between donors and local causes.
The 2025 HTST grant cycle will award ten grants of $5,000 each. Applications open on September 1, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025. Grant notifications will be made in November 2025, with each grant period covering 12 months from the award date. All funded organizations must submit a one-page summary report by December 30, 2026, detailing project results relative to identified benchmarks.
Eligible applicants must provide direct services in one or more of the following Florida counties: Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, or Wakulla. Organizations must have at least two years of operating history in the region and deliver services in one or both of the foundation’s priority areas—Education (birth through 5th grade) and Basic Needs. Applicants must also have 501(c)(3) status, a fiscal sponsor with such status, or qualify under 509(a)(1) or (2) designation.
Priority consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate scalable or replicable services, maintain collaborative partnerships, present clear benchmarks for measuring success, and have programs that are accessible and strategically aligned to community needs. Projects that build capacity or can be leveraged for additional funding are also favored.
Grant funds may not be used for capital infrastructure, ongoing operating expenses, fundraising campaigns or events, grants to individuals, endowments, or deficit reduction. They also may not be used for previously incurred expenses or by organizations that engage in discriminatory practices. For all inquiries or issues regarding applications, interested parties should contact CFNF through their official platform.
