Community Grants Program

The Ocean Reef Community Foundation's annual Community Grants Program provides substantial funding to nonprofit organizations serving neighboring areas in the Upper Keys, Homestead, and Florida City. The program has distributed over $16.3 million since its inception in 2008.

Program Details

• 2023: $2,000,138 across 81 grants to 73 organizations
• 2021: $1,613,815 across multiple organizations
• Program has grown to award $2+ million annually

Geographic Scope: Upper Keys, Homestead, and Florida City, Florida

Focus Areas:

• Education - School programs, college readiness, academic enrichment, STEAM curriculum
• Youth - Youth development, mentoring, employment programs, after-school activities, recreation
• Health & Family Services - Medical/dental services, mental health counseling, hospice care, therapy programs
• Community - Food assistance, housing, emergency services, homelessness prevention

Funding Source

Funding comes from the Ocean Reef community's participation in the annual All Charities Weekend (auction event), with community members contributing directly to the Community Grants Fund. The Foundation is transparent in sharing exactly where every dollar goes.

Application Process Overview

• Application Period: Applications typically due November 1st annually
• Volume: Over 100 applications received annually for 2023 funding ($3.2 million requested)
• Review: Grants Committee of peers conducts vetting, site visits, questioning, and evaluation
• Announcement: Results announced in spring following All Charities Weekend
• Site Visits: Committee conducts in-person visits to applicant organizations in January-February prior to awards

Contact Information

Ocean Reef Community Foundation

• Address: 35 Ocean Reef Drive, Suite 148, Key Largo, FL 33037
• Phone: (305) 367-4707
• Email: foundation@oceanreef.com
• Website: oceanreefcommunityfoundation.org

All Charities Weekend

• Phone: (305) 367-5996
• Email: allcharities@oceanreef.com

Additional Resources

• Grant Guidelines and application materials available on website
• Grant Application & Management Portal (login required)
• List of current and past grant recipients available
• Co-Investment Opportunities available to complement partial grants

Application Process

1. Application Submission
- Applications due: November 1st annually
- Submit through Grant Application & Management Portal on website
- Login credentials required

2. Application Requirements
- Submit complete application with detailed project information
- Describe the charitable program and community need
- Specify funding amount requested
- Provide organization background and credentials
- Include financial information and documentation

3. Review Process
- Grants Committee of peer volunteers conducts careful vetting
- Committee members study, visit, vet, question, and evaluate applications
- Site visits conducted in January (Upper Keys) and subsequent weeks (Homestead/Florida City)
- Community members invited to join site visit outings
- Committee provides feedback and recommendations
- Final decisions based on Foundation's share of All Charities proceeds and direct donations

4. Award Announcement
- Results announced in spring following All Charities Weekend
- Grants awarded in the following interest areas: Education, Youth, Health & Family Services, Community
- Organization receives notification of award decision

5. Co-Investment Opportunities
- Available to complement partial grants
- Contact Foundation for details on matching/co-investment possibilities

Contact for Application Information

• Phone: (305) 367-4707
• Email: foundation@oceanreef.com
• Website: oceanreefcommunityfoundation.org
• In-Person: Ocean Reef Business Center, first floor (Key Largo)
• Portal: Grant Application & Management Portal with login credentials