The St. Joe Community Foundation Grant

The St. Joe Community Foundation operates as a private philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Florida, particularly in Bay and Walton counties. Its grantmaking strategy centers on fostering long-term community enrichment through targeted investments in key impact areas. Organizations applying for funding must be recognized as 501(c)(3) entities under the Internal Revenue Code, with activities or chapters directly benefiting residents of the specified counties. Entities engaging in political or religious activities are ineligible. Grant applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations that align with one or more of the Foundation’s four strategic pillars: Cultural Arts, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Healthcare. Within these categories, the Foundation supports initiatives that promote cultural engagement, educational improvement, environmental preservation, and community wellness. Proposals are assessed for their potential to generate lasting improvements in the region’s quality of life, demonstrate measurable impact, and illustrate sustainable operations and partnerships. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate the connection between their proposed projects and local needs, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s priorities. Funding amounts typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, though higher amounts may be awarded at the Foundation’s discretion, based on need and available resources. Certain costs and project types are explicitly excluded from funding consideration, including administrative overhead, reimbursement-based requests, infrastructure projects, and various sports-related or consumer items such as uniforms, gift cards, and lodging. Applications that include a phased implementation or demonstrate financial leverage through partnerships or matching support are especially encouraged. Grant cycles operate on a quarterly basis, with deadlines scheduled for January 17, April 18, July 18, and October 17 of 2025, continuing with January 16 and April 10 in 2026. Submissions must be sent via email to April Wilkes, Executive Director, at april.wilkes@joe.com. It is strongly recommended that applicants engage with Ms. Wilkes prior to submission to discuss proposal fit and application strategy. This outreach may enhance alignment with funding priorities and improve application strength. The evaluation process favors applications with a strong rationale, proven or promising results, clearly defined success metrics, and economic sustainability. Organizations should ensure applications include necessary documentation and strategic detail. The Foundation’s feedback suggests applicants test their budget requests against historical patterns of giving and prioritize essential components if applying for larger sums. This grant program recurs quarterly, providing multiple opportunities for organizations to submit applications throughout the year. The anticipated next cycle after the October 2025 deadline is January 2026. This cadence offers a predictable structure for planning and aligns with the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to regional development.

Contact the Executive Director early; tailor request to Foundation’s giving patterns; clearly define community connection and impact; prioritize and phase project if large budget.