Animal Welfare Grants

Geographic Scope: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties

Purpose: Support organizations that serve animals and promote their humane care.

Funding Priorities:

• Funding emergency veterinary treatment for urgent cases or extraordinary medical needs
• Supporting large equipment purchases, such as X-ray machines for clinics or surgical equipment

Award Amount: Up to $25,000 per grant. Partial funding of requests may be available based on the quality and quantity of applications received.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)3 public charity with IRS Letter of Determination
• Must have at least one current program with local impact in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, or DeSoto County
• Must have an approved/current profile in The Giving Partner database

Contact Information:

• Phone: 941-556-7113
• Email: impact@cfsarasota.org
• Address: 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237
• Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., M–F

Application Process

Timeline:

• Application opens: November 10, 2025
• Application closes: December 14, 2025

Important Platform Note: The Community Foundation has a new grant application platform. If you have not submitted a grant since April 21, 2025, you will need to create a new user profile (even if you have applied for other grants prior to that date). Please ensure you see the Community Foundation of Sarasota County logo at the top of the apply page. It may be helpful to clear your cookies/cache or use a different browser.

Review Process:

• Applications will be reviewed by a committee including local animal welfare experts

Information Session:

• An information session will be held during the week the application opens
• Offers overview of grant process, eligibility, focus areas, and Q&A
• Attendance is encouraged prior to submitting an application

Office Hours:

• Each Friday from 11 a.m. to noon
• Community Impact team available on open Zoom call to answer questions

Grant Reporting:

• Grantees must meet grant reporting expectations and requirements
• Must showcase results of work accomplished with funding