Athena Giving Circle Grants

Mission: A community of women funding programs and initiatives that meaningfully improve the lives of women and girls in the local area.

Geographic Scope: Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Focus: Programs and initiatives that meaningfully improve the lives of women and girls

Current Status (2025-26): The Athena grant cycle is closed for 2025-26. Athena is supporting a local organization that provides vital services for women. No additional funding requests will be considered at this time. Please check back in spring 2026 for details on the next application cycle.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)3 organization or other tax-exempt organization
• Serve Sarasota and/or Manatee counties
• Show an innovative, holistic, effective, and direct approach to supporting women and girls
• Show a clear need for the funds and a plan for their use
• Demonstrate a deep commitment to their work

Decision Timeline:

• Athena decides funding focus areas by May each year
• Grant applications reviewed after focus areas are determined
• Final funding decisions made by October each year
• Funds distributed by December each year

Contact Information:

• Email: sborkowski@cfsarasota.org
• Phone: 941-556-7110
• Address: 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237

Application Process

Current Status: The Athena grant application cycle is closed for 2025-26.

How to Stay Informed:

• Sign up to receive the Nonprofit News e-newsletter to stay updated on upcoming application cycles

Process Timeline:

1. Athena decides funding focus areas by May each year
2. Community Foundation provides grant application to eligible 501(c)3 or tax-exempt organizations in determined field(s)
3. All grant applications reviewed
4. Athena makes final funding decisions by October
5. Funds distributed by December

Grant Reporting Requirements:

• Grantees must complete grant reporting to showcase results and impact
• View specific requirements on foundation website

Stories of Impact:

• Grantees encouraged to share their stories through press releases, blogs, videos, testimonials, articles, podcasts/audio recordings
• Reference Press Kit available to help draft messages
• Coordinate review with Cooper Levey-Baker, Communications Manager (cooper@cfsarasota.org)